yC-NRLF ■lllllill II I lit ''lillllli 1 1 '^ %€^^% W*Jv£.t& ®fe%i# W^.^ ^^r -■~rH'-'^i^ "5^^^ "--?^'-<='^ ^i^P' ^A*^ ^^^r^ '-h-^ « .^^v^A-i^tf 1 ^ ^/ h A HISTOEY OF THE TOWNSHIPS BYBERRY AND MORELAND, PHILADELPHIA, PA. From their Earliest Settlements by the Whites to the Present Time. BY JOSEPH C. MARTINDALE, M.D. NEW AND REVISED EDITION edited by ALBERT W. DUDLEY, B. S. PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO. 103-105 S. FIFTEENTH STREET F157 PREFACE. Byberry and Moreland have from time to time been made the subjects of various historical sketches. The pioneer in this work seems to have been Isaac Comly. He spent a large part of his time in collecting such material. In 1827, in the memoirs of the Historical Society of Penn- sylvania, appeared one of his first productions in this line. This being a short sketch and wishing to bring the subject more comprehensively before the public, he began work- ing on a more complete accoimt of his native home. In 1847, ^^ had the work in manuscript form. Owing to death soon after, the work was never published. The good work was next taken up by Isaac Martindale, a relative of Isaac Comly. In an historical sketch of Moreland and Byberry written for the Germantown Tele- graph by that untiring student of local history, Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, appeared a letter of Isaac Martindale. In it he says : "I early imbibed a love for 'early times' by direct inheritance from my mother, who was Phebe Comly, daughter of Joseph Comly and granddaughter of Isaac Comly, who married Asenath Hampton of Wrights- town, Bucks County. Joseph Comly, my grandfather, and Isaac Comly, a noted writer of his day, became quite conspicuous in the affairs of the vicinity; and it is to these we are solely indebted for the preservation of the early records of Byberry and Moreland. M834174 Vlll PREFACE. In early life, I took up the subject where it had been left by my uncle Isaac, who died in 1847, with the purpose of revising and ultimately publishing it, being encouraged by my mother, who possessed a very retentive memory. In a few years, I had familiarized myself with much of the early history of the townships and knew most of the land- marks. I had collected in manuscript a vast amount of interesting matter, had verified dates, etc., but the active duties of a farmer's life required most of my time. On one occasion, when my brother was visiting our old home, I brought to his knowledge the work I had in hand, and he became greatly interested in it, and having more leis- ure than myself, he proposed taking hold of it with me. About that time I left Byberry and went into a bank, and he carried out the publishing of the history. One small* edition of three hundred and fifty copies was issued, it being my purpose subsequently to issue a revised edition, but that time has never come." At almost the same time, appeared in the Memoirs of the Historical Society an account of Moreland by William T. Buck, Esq. Somewhat later appeared General W. W. H. Davis' "History of Bucks County." After this a manuscript history of the Lower Dublin Academy was written. And still later, appeared two of the Rev. S. F. Hotchkin's valuable historical works on "The York Road, Old and New, Fox Chase and Bustleton" and 'Bristol Pike." In the preparation of the new edition, I have been much indebted to the above mentioned as well as numberless other sources of information. I am much indebted to Mahlon Carver for much valuable information, to the PREFACE. IX Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, not only for historical matter, but also for constant assistance during the progress of the work, and lastly to Watson C. Martindale, a brother, and Mrs. Martindale, the widow, of the author, for the many kindnesses received at their hands. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. In presenting- thife History of the townships of By- berry and Moreland to the pubHc, a few words in refer- ence to it will not be out of place here. The late Isaac Comly, of Byberry, was exceedingly fond of local history, and spent a great portion of his time in collecting and arranging all matters of local interest that came to his notice. He kept a regular account of all the more im- portant events which transpired in these and the adjoining townships, from about 1810 to the time of his decease, in 1847. Some years previous to his death, with the ma- terial then on hand, he wrote a history of Byberry, which, however, was never published. After his death, the man- uscript passed into the hands of his executors, Watson Comly, Charles B. Comly, and Dr. Isaac Comly. It was, however, far from being complete, and after some con- sultation we concluded to collect such additional matter as could be obtained and have it published. We therefore commenced the work in earnest, and after much labor and not a little trouble, on account of the indifference mani- fested by many persons, we have so far succeeded as now to be able to present a connected history of these town- ships from their earliest settlement by the whites to the present time. In writing this history we have been influenced entirely XU PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. by a desire to preserve many valuable historical records and interesting reminiscences connected with olden times, and have not *'set down aught in malice" to any one. The work embraces not only a history of the townships but also a sketch of their topography, geology, and min- eralogy, a few biographical sketches of prominent indi- viduals who resided in them, and a genealogical account of the Bolton, Carver, Comly, Duffield, Gilbert, Knight, Martindale, Saurman, Thornton, Tomlinson, Walmsley, Shearer, and Worthington families. I cannot close this, however, without expressing my ob- ligations to Watson Comly and Isaac C. Martindale, both of Byberry, for the interest they have manifested in this history; to the former I am indebted for such informa- tion and assistance as could nowhere else have been ob- tained, and which has added much to the interest of these pages ; to the latter, who first engaged in preparing this history, and who has spent much time and labor in hunt- ing up old manuscripts, etc., too much credit cannot be given for the valuable assistance he has thus rendered. We are well aware that this history is incomplete, and that mistakes in it have undoubtedly been made, but, as it is, we give it to the public, hoping that they may find much pleasure in perusing its records and reminiscences of bygone times. INTRODUCTION. By the Rev. S. F. Hotchkin. In introducing my young friend Mr. Dudley to the his- toric public, it is fitting to say that he deems it both a duty and a high privilege to perpetuate the history of the region in which he dwells, and where his family has long dwelt. His careful additions to this volume will make a rare and valued book still more valuable. The Reverend Charles Kingsley styled history "the track of God's footsteps through time"; and the country district as well as cities and empires may display these traces of Providence. In the simple narrative before us the wild Indian is succeeded by the godly Friend, and other religious set- tlers, who turn the wilderness into a blooming "garden of the Lord." English history here reproduces itself in a new land, with striking variations; and the rapid improvements of modern life make a story well worth the reading, while the old fact of the importance of individual character in forming a community is ever prominent. The desire to know how the forefathers lived is gratified, and the lesson of patience and integrity should leave a lasting impression on the minds of their children, to aid them in becoming a blessing to their descendants in this Christian land. XIV INTRODUCTION. The interest in history is that of human life. An old chimney in a field recalls a bride and groom, who began housekeeping in the new abode; and the births and burials and joys and sorrows of a family until an accident left a ruin in place of a home. Every valley and hillside has its own narrative of love and sorrow which affected a neighborhood ; and happy is he who can so repeat the tale as to make the present gen- eration receive and profit by it in their own life-struggles, and hardly-won successes, or instructive defeats, which only spur the earnest souls to bolder endeavors. CONTENTS. PAGE. From the Earliest Settlements to the Qose of the Revolu- tion 17 The Free Society of Traders, Nicholas Moore and Mloreland ... 92 Churches 102 Preachers of Byberry Meeting iii Schools 121 Assessments 144 Events Relating to the War of 1812 146 Agriculture 148 Roads 156 Post-Offices 158 Overseers of the Poor 160 Byberry Library 161 Burial Places 164 Philosophical Society 171 Adelphian Society 173 Distinguished Citizens 174 Authors 175 Diseases 177 Mills 178 New County 182 Remarkable Occurrences 183 Large Trees 184 Big Woman 186 Births and Deaths 189 Notes from Old Manuscripts 190 Miscellaneous 195 Topography, Geology, etc 213 Villages 219 Biographical Sketches 226 Bolton Family 254 Xvi CONTENTS. Carver Family 263 Comly Family 270 Duffield Family 302 Gilbert Family 308 Knight Family 317 Martindale Family 337 Saurman Family 343 Townsend Family 347 Thornton Family 351 Walmsley Family 353 Walton Family 363 Worthington Family 377 Tomlinson Family 384 Shearer Family 389 Conclusion 392 Index 395 THE HISTORY OF BYBERRY AND MORELAND. PART I. FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. Although North America was discovered by the Ca- bots in the year 1497, and the whole coast was explored by contemporary navigators, yet the Delaware River was unknown to the civilized world until Henry Hudson, in 1607, made a visit to the coast and revealed its existence. This distinguished navigator spent several months in care- fully exploring every bay and inlet along the coast, and was amply rewarded for his toil in the discovery of the two noble streams — the Delaware and the Hudson — ^be- tween the thirty-sixth and forty-second degrees of north latitude, and the bay which bears his name further to the north. These discoveries made him justly celebrated as a navigator, and will serve as lasting monuments of his glory. The Hudson River was named the North, and the Delaware the South River. The name of the latter, how- l8 THE HISTORY OF ever, was changed to Delaware,^ in honor of Lord Dela- ware, who sailed into the bay in the year 1610. At what time the first European entered the river is not now known, but in Roggerveen's map of New Netherlands, printed at Amsterdam in 1676, the course of the Delaware River, with most of its tributaries, among which is the Poquessing, is delineated with considerable accuracy. The settlement of Pennsylvania is generally considered as having been commenced in 1681 by William Penn, but the Dutch and Swedes had made settlements on the west- ern bank of the Delaware previous to that time, and had given to the country now embraced in Delaware, Chester, Philadelphia and Bucks Counties, the name of "Upland County." William Penn changed this name to that of Chester soon after his arrival, and some time in the same year, the exact date of which is not known, he divided it into three counties, — Chester, Philadelphia, and Bucks. We find no account of any Swedish settlements having been made in the vicinity of Byberry, but it is quite prob- able that some such settlements were made, as we find in the list of "overseers for the highways nominated and elected by the Court, March 14th, 1682, for one year next ensuing, which is to be done within their respective pre- cincts before the last day of May 'ut sequitur/ the name of Erick Mullikay, as overseer for the district extending from Tawrony (Tacony) Creek to Poynessink (Poques- sing) Creek." That there was a settlement made in By- berry previous to the arrival of Penn there can be but lit- * The Indians appear to have had a number of names for the Dela- ware River. The Lenni Lenape called it Lenape-wihittuck or the river of the Lenape. Nearer its mouth, the river was called Kit- hanne or main stream. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. I9 tie doubt; and we learn from a communication made by Benjamin Kite to RobertvS Vaux, that the Walton family settled within the limits of Byberry in the year 1675, seven years before Penn arrived in America. This family consisted of four brothers,. Nathaniel,Thomas, Daniel, and William, who were all young and single men. They gave to the place the name of Byberry^ in honor of their native town, near Bristol, in England. They arrived at New Castle, from England, early in 1675, provided with axes, hoes, etc., ready for making a settlement in the wilder- ness. From New Castle they proceeded along the Dela- ware in search of a place for a settlement, and carried their whole stock of utensils, provisions, etc., on their backs. After some time spent in examining the country, they arrived at the Poquessing Creek, and were so highly pleased with the level lands in that vicinity, the abundance of good water, and the beautiful appearance of the coun- * Concerning the origin of the name Byberry, there is more or less uncertainty. The most probable explanation is that the name was given to the place by the Waltons in honor of their home near Bris- tol, in England. At this Byberry, Henry VIII. erected a royal palace and lived there during a portion of his time. "By" in Old English meant to build up or a building up. It is some- times used at the end of a word with the significance of town or village. "Berry" in Old English meant town. In a manuscript written by Isaac Comly about 1847, we find the following : ■ "It has been reported that the Waltons, who were among the first settlers, gave the place the name Byberry in reference to a place of that name where they dwelt in England. Another story says the new settlers determined upon the name by each of them causing that which he preferred to be written and deposited in a hat, and it was agreed, after being well shook up, the first drawn should be adopted; — and it came out Byberry. We never read of any By- berry elsewhere, but it has been said, there is a small village so called in the neighborhood of Bristol, England. The word is an English compound and signifies a habitation or castle upon a hill." 20 THE HISTORY OF try. that they determined upon making a settlement near the banks of that stream.^ Having neither the time nor the means for erecting a dwelling, they dug a cave in the earth and covered it with bark and dirt, in which they resided for several months, while they proceeded to prepare the land for their crops. Not having any wheat with which to sow their lands, two of the brothers, in the latter part of the same summer, walked to New Castle to procure a bushel of wheat for seed ; and, shouldering a half a bushel each, they carried it all the way home, a distance of nearly fifty miles. The land, for want of other utensils, was prepared with hoes, and the bushel of wheat sown, from which it is said they reaped sixty bushels at the next harvest. This was prob- ably the first wheat ever raised in the townships. In 1678 we find there was surveyed to Peter Rambo, 'I have been unable to discover the original authority for the statement that the Waltons came to Byberry in 1675. The name does not appear in the old documents until about the year 1685. Had they taken up their residence here, it is evident that John Carver would have been under no obligation of going to Chester for grain as is stated. Mary, his wife, would probably have applied to her white neighbors rather than rely on the uncertain hospitality of the savages. Numerous records of marriages found in the records of Abington tend to confirm the foregoing opinion. From Mahlon Carver, I learn that the Walton Tract belonged to James Pearman at the time of Penn's arrival. In regard to the Waltons, Gilbert Cope writes to me: "A deed on record at Trenton shows that the four brothers, Nathaniel, Thomas, Daniel and William Walton, were the sons of William Walton, of Oxhill, in the county of Warwick, England. Their arrival was probably in 1683, or possibly near the close of 1682, as Nathaniel claimed, in 1713, that he had paid his brother's passage 'thirty years and upward, prior to this date." The date of Nathaniel Walton's marriage, as well as of several other marriages taken from the records of Abington Monthly Meet- ing, is erroneous, owing to a false construction of the minutes when they were revised years afterward. Nathaniel was married in Phila- delphia, i2mo., loth, 1685-6, to Martha Bonell, as shown by the re- corded marriage certificate. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 21 Jr., a tract called "Ramsdorp," extending from the Penny- pack northeastwardly along the Delaware, and which con- tained three hundred acres. In the preceding year (1677), warrants were issued to Ephraim Herman, Pelle Rambo, and Captain Hans Moens, for three hundred acres each (making nine hundred acres) ; and, in 1678, to Ephraim Herman (who, in the following year, relin- quished his right to Laers Laersen), for the remainder of the land between the Pennypack and Poquessing Creeks. Poquessing is mentioned by Campanius as an Indian vil- lage, in which presided a chief or sachem. Its precise location has been lost, but was probably near the Byberry Creek, not far from Reuben Parry's meadow, as several Indian utensils and implements have been found in that vicinity.^ How many had settled in Byberry previous to 1682, is not now known, but in November, 1677, the whole num- ber of taxables north of the Schuylkill, including every male inhabitant of twxnty-one years of age, amounted to sixty-five, and these were scattered over the whole coun- try between that river and the Neshaminy Creek. Among these we find the names of Lansey Bore, Hans Liken, and Andrew B'enksen, probably persons of some note. Our accounts of these settlements are indeed meagre, yet there can be no doubt that such settlements were made, and that they continued until William Penn, on account of ser- vices rendered the crown of England by his father, * William J. Buck, in his account of Moreland, speaks of an Jndian village on the Green Spring Plantation near Somerton. This may have been the village of which Campanius speaks in his history. :i2 THE HISTORY OF Admiral Penn, received the grant of Pennsylvania in let- ters patent from King Charles II., dated the 4th of March (May), 1 68 1. In this grant the townships of Byberry and Moreland were included. Penn did not consider the grant of these lands from the king a sufficient title; therefore he purchased them from the Indians, in whose possession they were at that time, and they accordingly gave him a release from their claims. Those having re- ference to the tracts of land of which Byberry and More- land formed a part were as follows : We, Essepanaike, Swanpees, Okettarico, and Wessa- poet, this 23d day of 4 month, called June, in ye year according to ye English account, 1683, for us and oV heirs and assigns, do grant and dispose of all our lands lying betwixt Pemmapecka and Nesheminck Creeks, and all along Nesheminck Creek, and backward of same, and to run two days journey with a horse up into ye country as ye said river doth goe. To William Penn, Propriet'r and Gk)vern'r of ye Province of Pensilvania, &c.. His Heirs and Assigns for ever, for ye consideration of so much Wampum, and so many Guns, shoes, stockings. Looking-glasses, Blankets and other goods, as ye said William Penn shall be pleased to give unto us, hereby, for us, o'r heirs and assigns. Removing all claims or De- mands of anything in or for ye Premise for ye future, from him, His heirs and assigns. In Witness whereof we have hereunto sett o*r hands and seals, ye day and year BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 23 first above written. Sealed and delivered in presence of Lasse Cock, Menane, Philip Th. Lehnman, Hittoken, PiETER Cock, Richard, Jos. CURTEIS, ShOCKHANNO. The mark of X Essepenaike, The mark of X Swanpees, The mark of X Okettarickow, The mark of X Wessapoat. I, Tamanen, 23 day of 4 month, called June in ye year according to ye English account, 1683, for me, my heirs and assigns, do grant and dispose of all my lands lying betwixt Pemmapecka and Neshamincks Creeks, and all along Neshamincks Creek, to William Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pensilvania, &c., his heirs and Assigns for Ever, for ye Consideration of so much Wampum, so many guns, shoes, stockings. Looking-glasses, Blankets, and other goods, as he, ye said William Penn, shall please to give unto me : and my Parcell being much smaller than Ossepenaikes and Swanpees, Hereby for me, my heirs and Assigns, renouncing all claims or demands, of or in, and for 3^e future, from Him, his heirs and Assigns. In Wit- ness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal, ye day and year first above written. Tammanens, X his mark. Received, moreover, all matchcoats, stockings, shirts 24 THE HISTORY OF and blankets, besides several guilders in silver, and I ac- knowledge I have sold all my lands as above. Lasse Cock^ John Blunston, Jos. Curteis. Indians present. Richard, Shockhuppo, Messamequon. The mark of X Tammanens. Witness — Crilbert Hilleeler. 23 of ye 4 month, 1683. We, Tammanen and Metamequan, do hereby acknowl- edge to have received of William Penn, Propriet'r and Govern'r of Pensilvania, &c., these following goods, be- ing the consideration for our tract of land Betwixt and about Pemmapecka and Neshaminck Creeks, and all along Neshaminck Creek, sold and granted unto ye said Wil- liam Penn, Propriet'r and Govern'r, &c., as by a deed dated ye 23 of ye 4 month, in ye year 1683, doth more plain appear, bearing ye date hereof, with w'h we doe hereby hold o'selves fully contented and satisfied. 5 p. Stockings, 16 knives, 10 Glasses, 20 fish-hooks, 20 Barrs Lead, 100 Needles, 5 Capps, 10 Tobacco Tongs, 10 Tobacco Boxes, 15 Combs, 5 Hoes, 10 pr. Sissers, 6 Coats, 2 Guns, 9 Gimbletts, 7 half Gills, 8 Shirts, 2 Ket- tles, 6 Axes, 2 Blanketts, 4 Ilandsfull Bells, 12 awles, 5 Hatts. 20 Handsfull of Wampum, 25 lbs. powder, 4 gal. Strong Water, 38 yds. Duffills, and i peck Pipes. In Witness whereof we have hereunto sett o'r Hands.*^ Tammanen, X his mark. ' Metamequan, X his mark. ' Indian treaties for purchase of land appear to have been very numerous. From Acrelius, we learn that a party of Swedes reached Delaware in April, 1638, on the ships "Key of Calmar" and "Bird BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 25 Among the settlers who came over in the ship *'Wel- come/^ which left England 8 mo. 30, 1682, and arrived at New Castle on the Delaware, two months afterwards, and who settled in Byberry, were Giles Knight, from Glouces- tershire, Mary, his wife, and their son Joseph, and John Carver, maltster, from Hertfordshire,^ Mary, his wife, and their daughter, Mary, who was born near Philadel- phia four days after landing at New Castle. About the same time John Hart, his wife Susannah, and several children, arrived from Oxfordshire; Richard Collett, with his wife Elizabeth, and Josiah Ellis, also arrived, and all located within the present limits of Byberry. Some time during the next year (1683) John Rush, an elderly Friend from Oxfordshire, arrived with his family, con- sivSting of five sons and one daughter. One son, William, brought his wife Aurelia and three children. Soon after Griffin," and that — "A purchase of land was immediately made from the Indians and it was determined that all the land on the west side of the Delaware from the point called Cape Inlopen or Hinlopen (Delaware Bay) to the fall called vSantickan (Trenton) and all the country inland as much as was ceded should belong to the Swedish crown forever. Posts were driven into the ground as landmarks, which were still seen in their places sixty years afterward. A deed was drawn up for the land thus purchased. This was written in the Dutch because no Swede was yet able to interpret the language of the heathen. The Indians subscribed their hands and marks. The writing was sent home to Sweden to be preserved in the royal archives. Maus Kling was the surveyor. He laid out the land and made a map of the whole river, with its tributaries, islands and points which is still to be found in the royal archives of Sweden. Their clergyman was Reorus Torkillus of East Gothland." The Indians sold most of this same tract to the Dutch in 1651. We learn from Gen. W. W. H. Davis that in 1670-71, Richard Gorsuch patented a considerable tract in the southwestern part of Bensalem and in Philadelphia, extending from the Pennepack Creek across the Poquessing to a creek that the Indians called Quiatcitunk. This latter creek is believed to be identical with the Neshaminy. Governor Lovelace of New York dispossessed Gorsuch for, in 1672, he ordered his surveyor-general to clear this land for his own use. Penn made several important land treaties with the Indians. That 26 THE HISTORY OF this we find the name of Nicholas Moore"^ mentioned as having taken up a tract of land containing 10,000 acres, and which embraced the manor of Mooreland, which has since been divided into Upper and Lower Mooreland. We also find the names of Thomas Knight, half brother to Giles, Samuel Ellis, Thomas Groome, Henry English, Joseph English, William Hibbs, Walter Forrest, William Nichols and wife, and John Gilbert, Florence, his wife, and their son Joseph. Most of these settled in Byberry at once; but a few of them settled in the adjacent parts of Bensalem, and afterwards moved over the creek. Their names frequently occur in the records of the Society of Friends previous to 1685. Most of these early settlers took up large tracts of land, which were laid ofif in the form of parallelograms, frojn forty to eighty perches wide, and extending in a northwesterly direction from the Poquessing, across Byberry to near the road now the By- berry turnpike. They were subject to innumerable hard- ships in their attempts to settle the new country, some of at Kensington was not for the purchase of land, being merely a treaty of friendship. On June 23d, 1683, a treaty was made for the pur- chase of the land between the Pennypack and Neshaminy Creeks. Another treaty was made on June 7th, 1684. On that day, Metamicon sold lands on each side of the Pennypack Creek. This tract em- braced a part of Upper Moreland. In July, 1685, the land between the Pennypack and Chester Creeks was purchased. In 1697 another and larger purchase was made from Taminy, his two brothers Sethi- mac and Weheeland and his son Wehequeekhon and his other sons Yaqueekhon and Quenamockquid for all the land between the Penny- pack and Neshaminy Creeks and extending a considerable distance back into the wilderness. " Consult Besse for an account of John Carver's suffering in Eng- land. ^ This name is also written More and Moor. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 27^ them dwelling in caves or excavations* in the earth, which the Indians taught them how to construct: and Giles Knight, it is said, lived about six weeks by the side of an old log, near the present location of Knight's mill-dam,* without any shelter except the blue canopy of heaven.. The Indians afterwards taught him how to construct a wigwam., which Avas erected in a meadow now belonging to Jacob Eckfeldt, where he resided several months, and tmtil he built a log house near the location of the present mansion. The intercourse between the early settlers and the Indians was of the most friendly kind, and they lived together like brothers, assisting each other in times of dis- tress, and each trying to outvie the other in their en- deavors to promote the comfort and happiness of all. The Indians seem to have been fully sensible of the honorable motives of the settlers, and to have acted accordingly by welcoming them to the lands they had purchased. They taught our forefathers how to construct their wigwams, build canoes, cultivate corn, beans, pumpkins, and other vegetables; and in return, the colonists paid the Indians for all they obtained, and uniformly treated them with kindness. Game was indeed plenty ; but the whites knew not how to capture it; and the streams abounded with the most excellent fish, which required only the trouble of catching. The food of the settlers was plain ; and often the only dish they could offer was fish and pumpkins — * These caves were dug in the ground to the depth of about three feet, the roofs were formed of timber, limbs of trees, etc., and were usually covered with sod or bark, and the chimneys were built of stone, mortared with clay, etc. They were damp and gloomy abodes, yet served to protect their inmates from the weather. * This property now belongs to Colonel E. D. Morrell. 28 THE HISTORY OF a dish which would not be very palatable to the people of this epicurean age. At certain seasons, however, provisions were plenty. Wild pigeons were in such great abundance that they could be knocked down with poles ; and as the settlers be- came more accustomed to hunting, they procured plenty of wild turkeys, some of which weighed from thirty-five to forty pounds, and sold as low as one shilling each. Deer were killed in such numbers that they were sold for 2S. apiece.'^ With all these natural surroundings, it is not surprising that such a beautiful place as the banks of the romantic Poquessing should have been selected for a settlement — "Where homes of humble form and structure rude, Raised sweet society in Nature's solitude." Although the rude cabin of the white settler dotted the course of the streams, and the land was gradually being reclaimed from its uncultivated state, yet the wild animals of the forest still lingered around the settlements, and the fox's bark, the panther's cry, or wolf's lugubrious howl, often broke the stillness of the night, and Nature reigned here in all her pristine grandeur. In the magnificent beau- ties of these surrounding solitudes, doubtless, our tore- fathers saw much to draw them still closer to the Author " Oldmixon, who visited America in 1708, was very favorably im- pressed with the colony and its resources. He said that "Mr. Pen's" account of the country was too conservative rather than too extrava- gant. Among the best contemporary accounts of the resources of the colony we have the following: Penn's Letters to the Free Society of Traders, Thomas Budd's Account of the Country, Gabriel Thomas' letters and John Holme's poem — The True Relation of the Flourish- ing State pf Pennsylvania. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 29 of their own existences, and make them feel their utter dependence upon His protecting arm. In those early times the settlers labored .under all the inconveniences of an unsettled country. They had no flour-mills to grind their corn or wheat, but had to pound it in wooden or stone mortars, after the manner of the aborigines. They at first dwelt in damp and gloomy caves, but these were soon given up for the greater com- forts of rude cabins; and these, again, were in time re- placed by log-houses covered with bark or thatched with straw, and which made very comfortable dwellings, yet would contrast strangely with the edifices of modern times. ^^ The men were' at first dressed in the skins of the wild animals ; but in a short time the women, who were noted for their industry, by means of spinning and weaving, furnished them with garments more in accordance with their tastes. Cattle were soon introduced, and mush and milk became a favorite dish. To this was added honey from the wild bees, and molasses and sugar from the sugar maple trees. Horses were introduced soon after the settlement, and the comforts and conveniences of civilized life were thus one by one added to their wilderness homes. In those early days, however, women were by no means numerous, and many of our forefathers had, for years after they first arrived, to do without "heaven's last, best gift" — a lovely wife, to be the partner of all their toils, to comfort them in their desolate homes, to prepare for them " The custom of dwelling in artifically constructed caves until more permanent dwellings could be constructed, was not alone confined to Byberry. The early settlers of Philadelphia lived in caves dug into the banks of the Delaware. 30 THE HISTORY OF their humble fare, and welcome them with untold affec- tion to their rude domestic hearths. The sufferings and hardships attendant upon the settlement of a new country- were too great for her delicate constitution; and the ab- sence of all the domestic comforts, as found in her British home, effectually precluded her leaving her kindred for this bleak clime; but as the country became more settled, and comfort after comfort was added to the condition of those early settlers, she tore herself from kindred and lov- ing friends, braved the storms of the billowy deep, and took up her residence in the wilds of Pennsylvania. Oh, how" joyfully must she have been welcomed by those hardy sons of toil, the early pioneers ! During the scarcity of females, few were left unmar- ried, and it was indeed rare to find one still single who had attained to the age of twenty years. Those that were here must have been happy, although deprived of so many comforts, for "wives were then never jealous of their hus- bands," and all dwelt together in the greatest harmony. The children were generally healthy; the active life which they led, and the plainness of their fare, made their cheeks glow with the roseate hue of health, and their frames be- came as strong and robust as those of their neighbors and •companions, the hardy sons of the forest. Then nearly every cabin was filled with a lusty race of those who were soon to reclaim the uncultivated soil, convert it into fine fertile farms, and help to rear a settlement, where th-e persecuted of every clime might find a happy refuge, and where all might dwell together in unity and peace. The Indians welcomed the early settlers of Byberry, - and were ever ready and willing to lend their white BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3! neighbors a helping hand when in distress. On one occa- sion, John Carver made a journey to Chester, and left his family with provisions which he thought sufficient to last them during his absence ; but, from some unforeseen circumstances, he was detained longer than was expected, and his wife, with their two children, was reduced to great distress for want of food. Under these circum- stances she applied to a party of neighboring Indians for assistance. They treated her with much kindness, fur- nished her with some provisions to relieve her immediate wants, and, taking off the little boys' trousers, tied up the legs and filjed them with corn, to be carried home for a further supply. At another time, Giles Knight and Josiah Ellis went among them to procure some beans and other vegetables; these were kindly furnished, along with in- structions for cultivating them. For these many acts of kindness they neither asked nor received any recom- pense ; they were satisfied with having relieved the wants of their friends, and their reward was the sweet consola- tion of having performed a charitable act. Many other things, equally honorable to the Indian character, might be narrated, for the friendly intercourse between the whites and their red neighbors was never so far broken as to cause one act of violence to be committed by either party, until after the peaceful principles of the early set- tlers were forgotten. Before the first settlers left England, Penn had decided upon founding a city on the banks of the noble Delaware. Accordingly, soon after their arrival, the commissioners went on a tour up that beautiful stream in order to fix upon the site for the future city. Several places seem to 32 THE HISTORY OF have attracted their attention, and, among others, that in the southern part of Byberry, at the mouth of the Poques- sing,* They were much pleased with the bold shore at this spot, and had nearly concluded to found here the city of Brotherly Love, when, having in their minds the future greatness of the city they were about to found, they wisely concluded that a greater depth of water in the channel was advisable, so as to admit the passage of larger ships, and this alone determined them to fix it where it nov/ stands. ^^ At the tim.e of the first settlement, the townships of Byberry and Morcland were noted hunting grounds of the Indians ; and in order to facilitate securing the game, they were in the habit of setting fire to the rank grass that grew indigenously in all parts of the townships, and thus destroyed all the young timber. We find, as proof of this, that at the time of the first settlement there were but few large trees, scarcely enough to furnish firewood for the settlers, and that the division lines between the tracts were made by means of embankments and ditches — some of ♦The land along the Poquessing clear to the river, is believed to have been included in Byberry at the time of the first settlement. " It was perhaps, not so much the depth of the river at this point, but the fact that there are a number of dangerous rocks at this part of the river known as "The Hen and Her Chickens" that prevented Philadelphia from being located on the present site of Torresdale. Torresdale used to be pointed out to passengers aboard the river boats as "Old Philadelphia." Thomas Holme had laid out a street to be called Susquehanna Street, extending due west to the Susquehanna River. It began near Torresdale and ran along the side of the Thomas Holme burying- ground on the property of Murrell Dobbins. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 33 which are still visible J ^ Soine portions in the southern part were under cultivation by the Indians, but the north- ern parts of Byberry and the whole of Moreland, were covered with the tall grass. The settlers did not burn this off, as the Indians had done, and in a few years the whole surface, except where cultivated, was covered with a growth of fine timber. Two large trees are mentioned as having stood, one on the lower end of the place now be- longing to Watson Comly,- " and the other about Samuel Smedley's,^^ and these served as way-marks for the peo- ple. It is said that Joseph Knight, who was brought from England in 1682, at tiie age of two years, was afterwards frequently sent, while a boy, in search of the cows, which, for want of fences, often strayed away, and that when he lost his way he would ascend some eminence and look out for these two trees, which served as guides to direct him home again. The first houses were generally erected near springs or running streams, to save the expense and trouble of dig- ging wells. We find no account of the latter having been dug for several years after the first settlement, and when first introduced they occasioned much conversation among the settlers. Penn, in his conditions for the settlement of Pennsyl- vania, said that those who bought shares in the province could have five thousand acres for f 100 sterling, but "These division ditches may still be noticed. Such a ditch may- be seen in the wood on the east side of Mr. Watson Martindale's property. Faint traces of such a ditch may be seen on the Old Hart Burial Ground. " This property is now owned by Joseph Buckman. " This property is now owned by Mrs. Jonathan Knight. 3 ' . 'i 34 THE HISTORY OF would be annually subject to a quit-rent of one shilling, for each one hundred acres — the quit-rent not to begin until 1684. On this account the land of the whole coun- try became subject to a quit-rent, which was to be paid to the Proprietor, or his legal heirs, and which continued to be paid until 1775, when the 'Commonwealth of Pennsyl- A^ania purchased the claims for 580,000 dollars, and all iquit-rents ceased. [1682.] During this year provisions were scarce in the <:olony, and the best divSh that could be set before visitors was fish and pumpkins, — a dish to most of us rather un- palatable. In the summer a good supply of horses, cows, sheep, and hogs arrived from England, which were soon followed by others, so that in a few years enough had arrived to stock all the farms and furnish food for the colonists. As we have already seen, a number of persons arrived during this year and settled in B'yberry, the land there having been taken up in small tracts of from one hundred to five hundred acres each. In the manor of Moreland the plan was difYerent, for the whole of it was taken up by Nicholas Moore,*^*^ a prominent attorney of London, and being held by him until his death in 1689, we find no men- tion of any other persons settling in that township pire- vious to that time. Moore was president of a company called **The Free Society of Traders in Pennsylvania," the object of which was "to purchase lands to make an ♦William Penn, on the 7th of Sixth month, 1684, conveyed to "Nicholas Moore a tract of land in Philadelphia, containing ten thousand acres. This embraced what is now Moreland in Philadel- phia and Montgomery Counties. " See account of Nicholas Moore elsewhere. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 35 agrictiltiiral settlement, to establish manufactures, and carry on the lumber trade, and whale fisheries." He came over with Penn, in 1682, and was chairman or speaker ot the first Provisional Assembly, held at Chester, on the 4tn of December of that year. He was a man of superior abilities; and from having the confidence of William Penn, who placed him in the most responsible positions in the colony, his name is identified with much of our early history, and will be remembered while Moreland, with its fine fertile fields and happy people, continues to exist. [1683.] Nearly all the early settlers of Byberry were mxmbers of the Society of Friends ; and one of their first objects, after settling, was to have a place where they could meet together in love and unity, and worship the God of their fathers in spirit and in truth. Tradition says that Friends built a log meeting-house on the flat lands belonging to John Hart, near the present residence of Wilmer Canelle,^^ about one hundred yards northward from the junction of Poquessing and Byberry Creeks, in the southern part of the township. It stood on the west side of the road now leading to the Red Lion. It is said that a lot adjoining the meeting-house was fenced off dur- ing this year, to be used as a burying ground by Friends, but every vestige of both has long since passed away. Previous to this two of Giles Knight's children died, and Avere buried on his own land near the Poquessing Creek, "This property now belongs to Colonel E. D. Morrell. 3^ THE HISTORY OF not far from the present location of Knight's mill-dam. ^^ In the Fifth month of this year, at a Quarterly Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia, ''It was then and there agreed and conclnded that there be established a First-day meet- ing of Friends at Tookany and Poetqiiessink, and that these two make one Monthly Meeting, men and women, for ye ordering of ye affairs of ye church." The Monthly Meeting was accordingly held alternately at the house of Sarah Seary,^^ at Oxford, and at John Hart's house, ^^ on the Poquessing. Soon after this meeting commenced, a lot of about one acre, a few yards north- ward of Hart's house, on the rising ground, was set apart as a place of interment for Friends and others.* This was used as a burying place for all the settlers until the separation, after which it was used only by the followers of Keith. Among those buried in this ancient cemetery were Aurelia, wiie of William Rush, in 1683; Thomas Young, 1684; Mary Borman, 1685; Joseph English, " This property is also in the possession of Colonel E, D. Morrell. " This meeting at the house of Sarah Seary seems to have been the forerunner of the Frankford Friends' Meeting. The lot for this purpose was located on Wain street, opposite Unity. On this lot, which consists of two acres, a school formerly stood. It is now gone. A fire consumed a row of sheds, which formerly surrounded the meeting on three sides. The burial ground is now nearly filled. The present building was erected in 1775. According to local tradition, bricks were imported from England. In the yard, stands a stone platform from which ladies formerly mounted their horses. Many of the early records of this meeting have been lost. " The first house was at an early date replaced by the present hip- ped roof house. The property belongs to Colonel E. D. Morrell, and is located on the west side of the Red Lion Hotel, nearly opposite the hotel of that name. ♦John Hart, grandson of the ancient John Hart, in 1786, be- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 37 1686; Christopher Growden, Bensalem, 1687; and Wil- liam Rush, 1688. [1684.] One of the first papers issued by Byberry Monthly Meeting', on the Poquessing, was a marriage cer- tificate granted to James Morris and Elizabeth Buzby, who formerly belonged to Byberry, but who had lately removed to the Falls of Delaware. It is preserved for its antiquity, and is as follows : To Friends of ye Monthly Meeting about ye Falls of Delaware, in ye County of Bucks : Whereas, James Morris and Elizabeth Buzby, who for- merly belonged to our meeting, did, in the Seventh month, appear at our monthly meeting and declare their inten- tions of marriage, and they did produce certificates and testimony sufficient to satisfy us of their clearness; and after deliberation and inquiry, we did permit them to pro- ceed to accomplish their marriage. But so yt they have been from us absent, we are informed yt they belong to your meeting, and now they desire a certificate from us. These are to certify that thus far they have proceeded, and we have not anything against ym to obstruct ym to your meeting, in order to ye accomplishing their mar- riage, and we remain your Friends and Brethren. At our Monthly Meeting at John Hart's house, Poet- qtieathed this ancient cemetery to the township of Byberry in the following words : "I give and devise to the overseers of the poor in the township of Byberry, in the county of Philadelphia, who shall be such at the time of my decease, and to their successors, forever, a certain burying ground lot of one acre of land, which was conveyed to me by my grandfather, deceased, the same to be occupied as a burying ground forever." 38 THE HISTORY OF qiiessink creek, in ye county of Philadelphia, ye 2d of ye 4th mo., 1684. John Carver, Sam'l Hart, Richard Townsend, Joseph English, Henry Waddy, Ann Townsend, Tho. Kitchen, Giles Knight, Rich'd Dungworth, Will'm Preston, Walter Forrest, Sam'l Ellis, John Hart, Ann Sessions, Dorothy Dungworth. The early Friends seem to have felt their isolated con- dition, living, as they did, in the wilds of Pennsylvania, with but few persons near enough to be called neigh- bors, and to have been fully sensible of their dependence upon each other, which acted like a chain to bind them more firmly together in the pure bonds of love. When a misfortune befell one of the neighbors, all were ready with their services or their means to relieve their wants, or with them shed the sympathetic tear. The records of the meeting show the benevolence of those early settlers, whom, although living a life of penury and toil them- selves, we find entering into an agreement to pay four shillings per week for the support of William Nichols, *'on account of his penury." [1685.] It would seem that some were desirous of having a larger lot of gfround for a cemetery than the one at John Hart's, for in this year a minute of the Monthly Meeting, dated 5th mo. 28th, says : "Friends did freely accept of ten acres of land gfiven by Walter For- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 39 rest.^^ for a burying place for the service of Friends, near Poetquessink creek, and it is left to the trust and care of Joseph Fisher, John Hart, Samuel Ellis and Giles Knight, to get the ground conveyed, the deed of conveyance to be made from Walter Forrest to themselves, for the only use and behoof of Friends forever, and that from henceforth it shall be made use for the service aforesaid." As no further mention of this donation has been found, it is doubtful whether it was ever applied to the purpose in- tended, and its location cannot now with certainty be known. It is, however, probable that it was on the Po- quessing, not far from Thomas' mill, which was at that time owned by Forrest. In his last will and testament dated ist mo. i8th, 1691-2, P'orrest bequeathed a mill and lands situated in the township of Byberry, one-half to his wife, and the other half to three persons named Albertson, but in it we fmd no mention made of the ten acres. Although the Monthly ]\Ieeting of Friends at Byberry had been held at John Hart's since 1683, yet the weekly meetings for worship continued to be held at the house of Giles Knight,-^ until the 4th month of this year, when the Monthly Meeting ordered it to be removed to the house of John Hart. No reason is assigned for this change and as the location was not by any means so cen- tral as when held at Knight's, it is probable that it was through the influence of Hart, who was then the leading Friend in Byberry. It, however, shows that Friends '° Walter Forrest owned considerable land in the southeastern corner of Bensalem along the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River. ^ This property is now owned by Jacob Eckfeldt. 40 THE HISTORY OF would then rather suffer inconvenience, than disturb the peace and harmony of the Society. Some time during the summer of this year, Nicholas Moore commenced the erection of a mansion in the manor of Moreland, at a place he called Green Spring, about half a mile west of the present village of Somerton. This mansion is said to have been far superior to those in the surrounding country, and to have been built in correspondence with his official dignity as Speaker of the first Assembly of Pennsylvania. The house was near a spring of excellent water, which, as it trickled away, kept the grass green along its banks, hence the origin of its name. It was the first house erected within the present limits of Moreland. One account says, "While he was Chief Justice, he erected a courthouse and jail near his residence at Green Spring, where those who disregarded the laws were tried, and the guilty culprits punished; but owing to the general good morals of the inhabitants the jail seldom had any inmates. "22 [1686.] After the meetings for public worship were removed to John Hart's house, the distance proved too great for many Friends living in the northern parts of the township, and in order to accommodate them, it was decreed that a meeting be held once a month, on First days, at the house of Henry English,^^ so that two meet- ings for worship were, for a time, held in Byberry. The ""It is not likely that any building constructed by Nicholas Moore at Green Spring could be dignified by the name of court-house or jail. He may, however, have conducted a species of magistrate's court here and he may have used some of his out-buildings as a jail. '■" This farm is now in the possession of Alfred Buckman. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 4I localities of these meetings appear to have been unsatis- factory, and frequent changes were the result. In this year, at the Quarterly Meeting of Friends, it was agreed that a Monthly Meeting should be held at Byberry, Ox- ford and Cheltenham, "in course," the last week in each month, and on the days of the respective weekly meetings, that at Byberry coming on Fourth day. The time and place for this meeting were not satisfactory, and it was agreed, during the First month of the next year, to hold the monthly meetings at the house of ^'-' Richard Worrel, Jr., and the time of meeting was changed to the last Second day of each and every month, to which place it was accordingly soon after re- moved. From this time until 1691 the accounts preserved are very meagre. A few new settlers arrived from England, and the condition of those who were already here was gradually improving. There appears to have been a recip- rocal exercise of friendl}^ feelings and good understand- ing among them, and through the blessings of Divine Providence upon their industry and prudent management, their temporal affairs were daily improving, and cheer- ing prospects of untold wealth were opening around them. The young men who came over in a state of single blessedness had taken to them affectionate partners, and settled on the fine lands in the township, and large fam- ilies of loving children were growing up around them, so that but little was wanted to fill up their measure of happiness, and make their condition as desirable as could reasonably be expected to fall to the lot of mortals; but earthly enjoyments, like all other earthly things, must 42 THE HISTORY OF find an end, and we learn that difficulties and dissensions began to spring up in the colony, and, by the year 1691, had increased to such an extent as to involve nearly the whole of the inhabitants in a bitter discussion of religious principles. This was not confined to Byberry, but spread all over Pennsylvania, and involved the Society of Friends in much trouble. These dissensions appear to have origi- nated through the agency of George Keith, who then resided in Philadelphia. He had been an emi- -^ '^ nent minister and writer, and being a man of extensive learning, had gained ?nany follovv^ers. Pie de- sired to make some radical changes in the discipline and the doctrines held by the Society, which they were not willing to adopt. He was, therefore, warned of his con- duct by some Friends, which was not well received, and he Anally withdrew from the Society. After this, a . lecla- ration was issued by his supporters in his favor, who then proceeded to disown those who testified against him. Such was the influence exerted, that they gained the ascendency in sixteen out of thirty-two meetings. In Byberry, the leading advocate of Keith and his doctrines was John Hart, who owned a tract of land containing four hundred and eighty-four acres in the southern part of Byberry, and was in respectable circumstances. He had been several times elected a member of the Assembly, and is described as having been a man of rank, character, and reputation, and to have been an eminent preacher. He early embraced the views held by Keith, and from his influence and connections, drew the Rushes, Colletts, and the most of those living in the southern part of By- berry to his support. The burial ground was on his farm, BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 43 and the house for worship near his residence, so that, on account of these difficulties, Friends were induced to with- draw from the Meeting, and afterwards assembled at the house of Henry English. Those who remained at the old meeting were John Hart, John Rush, Nathaniel Walton, and Richard Col- lett, with their families, and some others by the name of Johnson, Jackson, and Foster. Those who seceded are mentioned as Giles Knight, John Carver, Daniel Walton,. Thomas Walton, William Walton, Henry English, Thom- as Knight, John Gilbert, William Hibbs, John Brock, Thom.as Groome, and others. The Keithian meeting appears to have been unsuccess- ful, and after two or three years it was broken up — the adherents joining other religious persuasions. Some be- came Episcopalians, and assisted in founding a church called "All Saints'," in Lower Dublin; while others, be- coming Baptists, but retaining the dress and language of the Quakers, were called Quaker Baptists.^^ Some of these again changed into Seven-day Baptists, and were the originators of that sect. Notwithstanding the long term of controversy and dis- cord through which the infant Meeting had just passed, it still continued to survive, and soon outgrew all its troubles. As Friends had seen fit to withdraw from Hart's meeting, they did not feel willing to bury their deceased Friends in the cemetery on his farm ; therefore, we find that Henry English, one of the most prominent "*John Hart became a Baptist and was instrumental in founding the Southampton Baptist Church. He afterward removed to South- ampton Township, where he owned land. (See account of John Hart elsewhere) . 44 THE HISTORY OF members remaining with the Society, did, on the 2nd of the I St month, give one acre of land to John Carver and Daniel Walton, in trust for Friends. The deed specifies that ''the said one acre is for the use of the ^ ^ -^ people of God, called Quakers, who are and shall be and continue in unity and religious fellowship with Friends of Truth, and shall belong to the Monthly Meeting of said people, for whose use the said piece of ground is intended to be employed as a burying-place, and to no other use or service whatsoever; provided al- ways, that it is the true intent and meaning of the parties hereunto, that no person or persons who shall be declared by the members of the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, whereunto he or she shall belong, to be out of unity with them, shall have any right or interest in said piece of ground hereby granted, while he or she shall remain out of unity and church fellowship wnth those people to whom he or they did so belong." Tt seems quite singular that this insrrument should confine the use of said piece of land to a *''burying-place," as a meeting-house was badly needed at that time; and shortly afterw^ards. with the full consent of the donor, a meeting-house w^as erected there- on. Jt was built of logs, ridged and notched at the cor- ners, chinked with mud, and according to the custom of the times, covered with bark. It stood in the northern corner of the present site of the old graveyard, and was the origin of the present Friends' Meeting. Here, in this humble structure, scarcely sufficient to shield its inmates from the weather, did our forefathers meet to manifest their devotion and gratitude to a bountiful Providence for the many favors which they were daily receiving. It BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 45 was a rude structure, but served as the only place for worship during the next twenty years. The most noted members of the Meeting at this time were John Duncan, John Brock, William Beale, Thomas Scott, and Abel Hingstone, in Byberry or adjoining part of Bensalem. About the same time, we find the name of Thomas Groome, as having settled near Somerton; and the names John Cross, John Tibby, John Hybert,. Nicholas Williams, Nicholas Tucker, Nathan Watamore, and William Carver, as residents of the township. [1695.] The Meeting seems to have been on a firmer basis than at any previous time, and the members were much concerned, not only for the welfare of each other, but that the youth might be preserved in the Truth. The Yearly Meeting, held at Burlington, N. J., in 1694, re- commended that four Friends be appointed to have charge of the youth l^elonging to the Society, and in 2d mo. of this year, John Carver, of Byberry, was appointed one of the four for that purpose. It appears that some Friends of those days did not observe the golden rule, and the Meeting, feeling the necessity of having a closer oDserv- ance of the principles and customs of the Society, appoin- ed in the 12th mo., John Carver and John Brock, "to admonish those that profess God's truth and do not walk answerable thereto." This was the origin of the appoint- ment of overseers* in Byberry Meeting, a custom con- * Those appointed to act in this capacity from this time to 1740, were John Brock, Abel Hingstone, William Beale, Thomas Groome» John Carver, Everard Bolton, John Duncan, Henry Comly, John Carver, 2d, Thomas Knight, son of Giles, Edmond Dunkin, Thomas Walton, William Dunkin, George James, Jonathan Knight, Joseph Gilbert, and Evan Thomas. 46 THE HISTORY OF tinued to the present time. The great concern of Friends seems to have been "to watch over each other for good, and to build each other up in that most holy faith which works by love to the purifying of the heart." In the early part of this year some of the Gilberts settled in Byberry. In the 4th mo., 1685, Thomas Holme, the surveyor-general, obtained a patent for six hundred acres of land in Byberry, bounded on the east by the Po- quessing, and in the same year sold it to Nicholas Rideout. On the 19th of 12th mo., 1695, John Gilbert purchased the said tract of land of Rideout, and having sold about one-half of it to John Carver, divided the remainder be- tween his two sons, Samuel and Joseph, who settled on it. These were the first of that name we have met with resid- ing in Byberry. Affairs in Moreland began to assume a different aspect about this time. Nicholas Moore, who had been in deli- cate health almost from his arrival in America, died at his mansion, in Moreland, in 1689. During his life he retained possession of all his property, but it was much incumbered at the time of his decease. His creditors, among whom was John Holmes,^^ on 23d of April, 1695, presented a petition to Council to have the accounts of the said Nicholas Moore examined, when it was found that the estate was indebted to different individuals to the sum of upwards of £270 sterling. The Council, there- fore, empowered John Holmes to sell the plantation and manor house at Green Spring, and such lands and im- "John Holmes was not related to Thomas Holme, although he settled on a portion of Thomas Holme's tract of 1646 acres in Lower Dublin. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 47 provements in other parts of Moreland as might be suf- ficient to pay all his just debts, educate his surviving children, and provide for the improvement of the re- mainder of the estate. Soon after this, in the same year, the mansion house, together with six hundred acres of land, was accordingly sold at public sale. It was pur- chased by Henry Comly, of Middletown, Bucks County, who, in 1704, erected a mansion thereon, which is yet standing, and is the oldest house* in Moreland. In the year 1701 or '2, portions of this estate were sold in lots to suit purchasers, and the population soon began to in- crease. No account of these sales has been met with.^^ [170 1.] It was agreed in the Monthly Meeting, "that a Preparative Meeting be established at Byberry, to be held on the weekly meeting day that happeneth next be- fore the Monthly Meeting, and that those Friends that are appointed as overseers to attend that service." This was the origin of the Preparative Meeting at Byberry, and it commenced soon afterwards, although no records of its proceedings have been found previous to 1721. In the fore part of the eighteenth century, the children of the early settlers were entering upon the stage of active life. They w^re noted for their strength, activity, and vigor; and had been brought up accustomed to many * This house has, at different times since, had additions and altera- tions made to it, which have entirely changed its appearance. It has remained in the possession, and been the residence of descendants of the family of that name ever since, until the death of the late occupant, Franklin Comly, Esq., in i860, when it passed into the hands of his son-in-law, Moses ICnight. ■■'*' Henry Comly, son of the original Henry Comly of Bucks county, purchased this tract indirectly through his father-in-law Robert Heaton in 1697. 48 THE HISTORY OF hardships, and inured to a life of toil. They were expert at hunting wild turkeys, bears, and raccoons, and many of them had acquired considerable reputation in that busi- ness. .They could use the axe, the grubbing-hoe, the spade, and the sickle, and prided themselves in so doing. Then all the grain was reaped with sickles, and there was frequently some strife among them as to who was the best reaper. In all trials of this kind Joseph Gilbert is said to have carried off the palm, and was acknowledged the best reaper in the whole country. Upon one occasion a man came from New Jersey to try him, but yielded the contest long before night. The women, also, frequently engaged in outdoor work, and some of them were excellent hands. In those days the grain was generally stacked and all the threshing was done with flails. But few barns were then to be found, and these few were made of logs, and thatch- ed with straw. They were generally small, without any floors, and sufficed only for a shelter for some of the stock. Wagons had not yet been introduced, and sleds were used for hauling grain to the stacks and barns. When it was threshed and ready for market, if the ground was not covered with snow, it was carried on the backs of horses to the mills on the Pennypack or Poquessing Creeks. This was the custom until the introduction of carts, sev- eral years afterwards. The harness was all of home man- ufacture, the collars being made of straw or calamus tops,, and the traces and lines of hemp or flax. Some thirty-five or forty years had already passed away, and the land so destitute of timber, at first, was now covered with a growth of thrifty chestnut, oak, hickory, maple, ash, etc. As timber became more plenty, the set- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 49 tiers began to divide their farms by means of fences in- stead of ditches. Many of the young men became expert at chopping wood and splitting rails ; and it is said, on one occasion, that Job Walton split three thousand six hun- dred rails in one week, the logs being cut off for him. This was a large week's work, and few of our rail-split- ters of this day can beat it. Fencing, however, was not universal at that time, and some preferred to dig ditches and plant privet (Ligustrum vulgare) hedges, in order to inclose their farms. These hedges answered the purpose very well, and presented an effectual barrier against the encroachments of cattle and wild beasts. They gave the farms a pleasing appearance, particularly when in blossom ; and when the berries were ripe they afforded food for multitudes of w^ild pigeons, thousands of which were killed by the settlers. It is said these hedges, from some unknown cause, nearly all died a few years previous to the Revolution, and have never been in general use since. We have met with no accounts of any schools previous to 1 7 10. The children of the first settlers were brought up with a very limited chance of obtaining an education, and many of them were unable to read or even to write their own names. In this year it appears that Richard Brockdon commenced a school at Byberry, but ^ ^ '^ did not continue there more than a year, as the Meeting records, in 171 1, mention the application of Richard Brockdon, late schoolmaster at Byberry, for a certificate to return to England. He was succeeded by William Davis, who remained until 171 7, and then re- moved to New Jersey. After this we find mention of John Watmore, Roger Bragg, John Pear, and Walter 4 50 THE HISTORY OF Moore, as teachers in Byberry previous to 1753. The school was poorly conducted, and a want of interest in the great cause of education, in those having charge of the schools, seems to have been the great fault. - Some time during this year, Giles Knight '• ^ '^ erected a bolting mill on the small stream of water passing through his meadow, lately owned by Nancy Walton.^ ^ No flour was made at this mill, but the people took their grain to Pennepack or Poquessing mills, and, when it was ground, hauled it to Giles Knight's to have it bolted. About this time we find among the early settlers of Moreland the name of William Roberts, Albertson Wal- ton, William Tillyer, Henry Comly, Nicholas Moore, Jr., John Blackford, Joseph Mitchell, Jonathan Comly, Richard Marple, and Derrick Krewson.^^ [1714.] The old log meeting-house in Byberry, being no longer tenable, in this year a new house was erected on the acre given by English. It was a few feet to the east of the old one,^^ was built of stone, thirty-five by fifty feet, two stories high, with arched ceilings, and double doors in front. It had large windows, with small lights of glass set in a leaden sash attached to a wooden " Benjamin Duffield moved into Moreland sometime between 1682 and 1685. ^ This mill was located on property now owned by Edward Shall- cross. ** The second meeting was located near a well which was once used for school purposes. It was afterward covered with timbers and soil. About sixty years ago some hogs rooted the soil away and exposed the well. It was then covered with a thicker layer of earth. The old well may be located by the sound heard when stamping the foot over it. From John Watson, we learn that the sash were hung on hinges, that these sash were of lead and that they were filled with the luxury, glass. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 5 1 frame, which was hung on hinges so as to open and close, and was without shutters. The gable ends of this house were not carried to a point, but from about midway of the rafters, another roof from each end was carried up to meet the main one. This was the style of building at that early day. The plan for warming this building was not by any means as complete as that now in use, for it is stated that the only means devised for warming it was by a fireplace in the west end, on the outside of the building and com- municating with an artificial stove, formed of cast iron plates, through which the heat was communicated to the room. The men warmed themselves before going in, and the women occupied the end next to the fire. In order to complete this house, Friends borrowed £50 of James Cooper, which was paid off by subscription, in 1723. [1720.] About this time such things as fortune-telling, astrology, etc., were in considerable repute, and many of the settlers, even the most respectable, frequently resorted to them. Most Friends seem to have been in advance of the age in which they lived, for they not only bore testi- mony against these things as great evils, but dealt with some of their members for "meddling in predicting by astrology," etc. During this age of superstition many Friends were awakened to a just sense of the value and importance of properly educating their youth, and the Meeting was soon impressed with the necessity of erecting a suitable building for school purposes. Accordingly, in this year, we find a school-house was erected near the meeting-house. It was a log building about eighteen feet square. Here in this humble structure many of our early ancestors were educated ; and it is probable that the oppor- 52 THE HISTORY OF tunities for acquiring an education were much better after the erection of the building than they had been before, as those who were educated about this time were generally spoken of as possessing considerable literary qualifica- tions, and their autographs, as found in some of the old papers, certainly would not suffer any disparagement if compared with many of the present day. No further ac- count of this school-house has been found. Some time previous to this a few houses had been built near each other in the eastern part of Moreland; and as the place began to assume more the appearance of a village, it was called Smithfield, the name of which has since been dis- carded for that of Somerton. About this time it con- tained ten buildings, among which were a store, a tavern, and a blacksmith shop, about half of which was situated in Byberry. This is the first account we have found of this village, and the time of its foundation cannot now with any certainty be knov/n. The houses, and indeed all the buildings erected by the settlers previous to this time, were with but few excep- tions formed of logs. They were rudely constructed tene- ments, being scarcely sufficient to shield their inmates from the rigors of the climate; but in them our fore- fathers dwelt in peace and contentment, and seemed to enjoy life quite as much as most of us in this more pro- gressive age. The houses were but one story high, with hipped roofs ; and the room used for cooking contained a large fireplace, in which a fine blazing fire was kept during the cold weather of winter. In these large quantities of wood were consumed, often as much as ten to fifteen cords in one season, but as timber was plenty, and required only BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 53 the trouble of cutting, but little economy was exhibited in its use. These fireplaces were large enough to allow a person to sit on each side of the blazing fire, and those favored spots were generally occupied by the heads of the family, while the children hovered around in front in order to keep warm. Farming was carried on in a rude and slovenly man- ner; the implements were but poorly suited to their de- signed uses, and mtich of the fertility of the soil had been exhausted by continued farming, no pains being taken to make or apply manure so as to produce better crops. The dress of both male and female vras of homespun, which was manufactured by the "busy housewife" of that day. During the summer it was customary for all classes to go barefoot, except on First days, when going to meeting; the shoes, however, were taken off as soon as they arrived at home, and put away for a similar occasion. In going to market the men seldom wore shoes, and even the wo- men did not think it necessary to hide their feet and ankles, and were not troubled with such scandal as would be showered upon them for so doing at the present day. Game had annually been growing more scarce; and most of the wild animals, such as deer, wild turkeys, panthers, and wolves, had become scarce. Previous to this time (1720) the latter animals had been trouble- some to the settlers by destroying their sheep and hogs, so that they had to be carefully secured in strong pens every night, or in the morning some would surely be missing. Smaller animals, such as wild-cats, foxes, raccoons, etc., were still plenty, and the flocks of poultry often suf- 54 THE HISTORY OF fered from their depredations. Squirrels, partridges, pheasants, etc., were very abundant, notwithstanding the severity of the winters, and thousands of them were an- nually killed to furnish food for the settlers. Deer and bears were sometimes killed and furnished food for the family of the fortunate hunter, but at this time such things were not common. [172 1.] The earliest records of the Byberry Prepara- tive Meeting, which have escaped the destructive hand of time, bear the date of 2d month i8th. These are made up almost entirely of the pecuniary matters of the Society, being accounts of subscriptions for raising money for the necessary expenses of the Meeting, and for maintaining the poor. The charge for tending the meeting-house was only twenty shillings per annum, and this continued to be the price paid for several years thereafter. John Car- ver is mentioned as the clerk at that time. He appears to have given good satisfaction, as he was continued until 1740, when he requested the Meeting to appoint some one in his place. About this time African slavery was first introduced into Byberry by the more opulent settlers, as help for the rougher parts of the work indoors and out. They were mostly brought directly from Africa to Phila- delphia, but some were brought from Long Island. In 1727, in an inventory of the property of a deceased Friend, the following items occur : "One negro ^irl, £20 ; one negro boy, £30;" and again, in 1743, are these: "A negro woman, Phillis, £20; and one negro boy, Wallis, £14." These give us an idea of the value of slaves at that time.30 *• Slavery existed in Pennsylvania, according to Gen. W. W. H. Davis, as early as 1636. During the early days of the colony, the in- ' BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 55 The following list of names are found in the records of 1 72 1, as subscribers for maintaining the poor belong- ing to Byberry Preparative Meeting : John Donkon, Thos. Walton, Joseph Gilbert, Giles Knight, Wm. Carver, Edm'd Donkon, George James, Abel Hingstone, i Thomas Knight, Thomas Walton, r John Carver, Sam. Scott, Thos. Knight, Jr., Jonathan Knight, John Worthington, Henry Comly. [1725.] From the above records we learn that Friends were very willing to assist each other, and we find that "superscriptions" were frequently taken up in the Meeting for benevolent purposes. In this year, one for "defraying ye expenses of a family taken captive by ye Indians ni New England ;" also, one for "defraying ye charges to ye healing of a young man that broke his leg at Hasom."^^ In 1736, there was another "to assist Daniel Pennington to make up part of his loss — he being burnt out.'* [1727.] The crops of our forefathers appear to have suffered from the ravages of destructive insects; their stitution was well nigh universal. Penn himself possessed them. Among those in and near Byberry who owned slaves, we may name the following: Growden, Swift, Benezet, Carver, Comly, Duffield, Rush, Knight and Walton. In 1782 there were five hundred slaves in Bucks county and a proportional number in Byberry. Of the negro race living in Byberry, not a single descendant re- mains. The last was Cuffy Todd, who was murdered by a deserter from one of the vessels at Philadelphia. It is said that an immense number of negroes from Philadelphia attended his funeral. His murderer was apprehended and hanged. '^ This was probably an early form of the word Horsham, as we read of a young man who broke his leg about this time while going to Horsham Meeting. 56 THE HISTORY OF corn was frequently injured by the cut-worm, and their trees by the caterpillar. In this year the latter became so numerous that they devoured nearly all the foliage of the trees, and wherever they passed left the woods as bare as in December. They did not confine themselves to the forest trees, but attacked and destroyed everything green that came in their path. It is probable that these cater- pillars extended their depredations over a large extent of country, as we find an account of their having done much damage along the Schuylkill during the same season. [1733.] In this year Byberry Meeting procured a "Book of Discipline" at the expense of fifteen shillings. About the same time a number of other works were added, and formed a kind of circulating library for the use of Friends. This appears to have been the first library ever established within the limits of either township, and was highly valued at that time. Thomas Chalkley'^^ mentions an earthquake as having occurred in Byberry in 1737. It was not very severe, yet the shock was sensibly felt. [1740.] This winter was remarkable for a great snow storm, which covered the fences. The crust on it was so hard that horses and sleds could travel over it in any di- rection, without follow^ing the course of the roads. Those who felled trees at that time were much surprised when the snow melted to find the stumps' from six to eight feet high. A storm somewhat similar to this occurred in the "*■ Thomas Gialkley of Chalkley Hall, near Frankford, on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, was a prominent preacher among Friends as well as a sea captain. He conducted services among the natives on the islands which he visited. He, at different times, visited Byberry and Byberry people were accustomed to stop at his residence in returning from Philadelphia. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 57 winter of 1835-6. John Carver resigned his situation as clerk of the Meeting this year, and was succeeded by Wil- liam Dunkin, who continued to act in that capacity until 1 75 1, when William Walmsley was appointed in his place. [1743.] A school-house is mentioned as having stood in Moreland at this time; but no account of teachers, or scholars, when it was built, or where located, has been found. About this time Samuel Jackson is mentioned as having sometimes preached in Byberry Meeting; and his name appears on the records for about two years, after which we hear no more of him. Thomas Walton, Jr., is said sometimes to have preached, but was never recom- mended. He was afterwards disowned, in 1764, for non- fulfilment of some contracts. One Will Knight, a half- brother to Giles, sometimes preached, but it was not well received. On one occasion some person pulled him down, when he remarked : "Thou needst not do so ; for if it be of Christ thou canst not stop it, and if it be not of Christ it will die of itself." A more appropriate answer could scarcely have been found. Friends, however, showed their disunity with the matter, and he soon desisted. [1746.] We find no account of any taverns in either township previous to this year. One is mentioned as having been then kept in the village of Smithfield, but no further account of it has been preserved. About this time an application for a tavern at Byberry Crossroads was made by Richard Carver, on which occasion several of the inhabitants signed a remonstrance against granting this application, in which it was stated that it would be an injury to the neighborhood ; that there was no need of a tavern in the place, as three were already within three 58 THE HISTORY OF miles, and that it would only be a resort for idle persons, servants, and negroes. This was signed by John Jackson* Evan Thomas, Jonathan Knight, Crispin Collett, Daniel Knight, Benjamin Walton, Thomas Knight, Joseph Gil- bert, Silas Titus, William Marshall, John Rush, and was probably effectual, as we find no account of the tavern afterwards until 1755. [1748.] On the 25th of 6th mo., 1742, the Preparative Meeting "agreed to wall ye graveyard with stone, and Joseph Gilbert, Evan Thomas, Jonathan Knight, and Daniel Knight, were appointed to provide materials, em- ploy workmen, and see ye work done." From some further accounts it would seem as if this wall was not built until 1748, and that the northwest end was left open so as to extend the yard in that direction. Friends at this time offered the privilege of burying to all who in any way assisted in the matter, and to their children ; and several took advantage of this proposition. [1749.] The first account of the appearance of the seventeen-year locusts, in Byberry, was in this year. They came in great numbers, and have appeared regularly every seventeen years since, generallv lirst showing themselves about the 20th of Jtme. From the accounts kept of them it would seem that they vary but little in the numbers which appear. They do much mischief by injuring the trees when about to deposit their eggs, and some in- stances of children having been poisoned by their sting have been met with. [1753.] A collection was taken up to pay for covering the meeting-house, which was done the same year. An- other collection was also taken up for making an addition BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 59 to Byberry Meeting, by which we find that fifty-two per- sons contributed to that object. The addition made was thirty by thirty-five feet, and one story high. Two large fireplaces were built in it; one in each corner of the east end. By means of these, the room was more comfortably warmed, and in winter was generally occupied for meet- ing purposes. Some time after this other improvements were made by introducing stoves, substituting wooden for the leaden sash, and putting shutters to the windows, so that the house was improved both in comfort and general appearance, and in this condition continued to be the place of worship for Friends until 1808, when the present building was erected. Although the first settlers of Byberry were principally Friends, yet others of difi^erent persuasions came into the townships, so that by this time many of the inhabitants were of that class. Friends always made provision for their poor, but other societies were not so particular to do so; and as these increased with the increase of population, the township felt the necessity of providing for the main- tenance of such as were unable to take care of themselves. From this time to 1800, about twenty persons were sup- ported by the public, two of them being for the space of twenty-five years. The annual average amount of poor tax from this tim.e to 1780, collected in Byberry, was $99.67 — all of which was spent in maintaining the poor. ['^7SS'] ^^ this year a remonstrance was numerously signed against granting Jacob Buskirk the right to open a public house at the B3^berry Crossroads, which was prob- ably without efYect, as we find mention of a tavern called the "Three Tuns," kept at this place, in 1760. About this 60 THE HISTORY OF time there were two brickyards in successful operation in Byberry. One of them was on the farm now belonging to John Tomlinson,-'^-^ and the other on land belonging to George De Haven. These bricks were used instead of los's in erecting houses, and are said to have answered the purpose very well. For some years previous to this, a gun manufactory had been in successful operation on Byberry Creek, on lands now owned by Reuben Parry. The busi- ness was carried on by the Rushes, but seems to have gone down soon after this time. During the French and Indian war, which lasted from 1755 to 1763, the people of Byberry and Moreland had a share of the troubles. As the government was in want of soldiers, several persons from Byberry entered the service, among which were some belonging to Friends. These latter were dealt with by the Society, and disowned for so doing. The people were kept in great apprehension for fear the Indians would come down from the mountains and destroy them, and some idle persons raised a report that they had come and destroyed the village of Smith- field. This news caused great consternation, and many of the inhabitants fled in haste to Dunks' Ferry, where they crossed into New Jersey. The report afterwards proving false, the fugitives returned not a little discom- fited that they should have been so easily frightened. [1758.] About this time Thomas Livezey made a sur- vey and draft of Smithfield. He represented the town lot as containing about eighty acres, with the main street " This property is now owned by Linford Shoemaker, a son-in-law of John Tomlinson. The property formerly owned by George De Haven is now owned by Colonel E. D. Morrell. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 6 1 running diagonally across it. Among the owners of the lot at that time we find the names of Comly, Knight, and Walmsley. As we have already observed, the great evil of human slavery was introduced into the townships in 1720; but it never became very popular. It probably was at its greatest height about this time, when the Yearly Meeting issued its testimony against keeping slaves. After this Friends were careful not to go deeper into the evil ; but they did not manumit those already held until the Meet- ing became more positive in its directions, when most of those belonging to the Society set their slaves free; yet two or three who continued to hold their fellowmen in bondage were disowned therefor. When the slaves were liberated, care was taken by their late masters to provide for them, and to assist them in procuring a livelihood, alsa to encourage and aid them in educating their children. After Friends liberated their slaves, others became con- vinced of the evil, and many were induced to follow the glorious example of their neighbors, so that in a few years but few slaves were to be found in the townships. [1759.] Benjamin Gilbert erected a grist mill on By- berry Creek near the centre of Byberry, which proved a great accommodation to the inhabitants. The old mill spoken of in Walter Forrest's will had long ceased to exist ; and for some years the only mills in Byberry were two bolting mills, — one near Reuben Parry's, owned by the Rush family, and that of Giles Knight. Some time after this Jonathan Knight, gentleman, built a grist mill on the Poquessing, several yards northeast of the one now in the possession of Jonathan Knight. 62 THE HISTORY OF In this year we find that Friends concluded to hold afternoon meetings, with the hope of inducing the youth of the neighborhood to attend, instead of spending their time in a much less desirable way. They were held on the 2d and 4th First days of each month during the summer season, and were so well attended that they were con- tinued nearly forty years. [1760.] In this year wx find a notice of a hotel, kept at Byberry Crossroads, with a sign of the "Three Tuns." It was kept at one time by Nancy Heaton, and at another by John Hilt.^^ It had been customary to hold the town- ship elections at the Byberry school-house ; but some were desirous of having them held at the "Three Tuns," in hopes of continuing the hotel at that place. The officers of the election advertised it accordingly ; but as none went except the officers, the plan entirely failed, and was not tried a second time. This hotel was considered a nuisance by the neighbors, and but few of the respectable part of the community had anything to do with it. For want of patronage, it was afterwards closed. -^^ "Whiskey was sold, however, at the Crossroads and at Byberry store. " The Red Lion Hotel just east of Byberry in Bensalem is the old- •est in this locality. In 1730 Philip Amos (written Ames by Isaac Comly) petitioned the court to be allowed to keep a public house on the north side of the Poquessing Creek, on the Bristol Road. In 1744, we find Ann Amos at the Red Lion Hotel. An early account says that Philip Amos had left his wife in England with an intention to do without her ; but she came over without his knowledge and pre- sented herself quite unexpectedly to him one evening as he was sit- ting by his fireside. Ann Amos kept the hotel as late as 1770. On the 29th of August. 1774, the delegates from Massachusetts to Con- gress dined at the hotel. John Adams stopped at the hotel on De- cember 9th, 1775, and October 13th, 1776. In 1781, while on its way BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 63 Nearly all the original surveys of land in Byberry and Moreland were made by Thomas Holme, surveyor-gen- eral. He laid out the first farms in regular parallelograms of fifty or one hundred perches wide. From the time of his death, with the exception of Moses Moon and Nicholas Scull,^^ who did some surveying in the townships, we have no account of any surveyors until Silas and John Watts, of Lower Dublin, commenced the business, in 1760. They did nearly the whole business, until 1794, when Silas died, and John, finding himself growing old, persuaded John Comly to take up the matter, promising him assistance when needed. He was successful; and continued to be the surveyor for over fifty years, until the infirmities of old age prevented his continuance at the business. [1763,] An earthquake was quite sensibly felt; and on the 29th of November, 1783, another much more severe occurred, and this one was again followed by another in about five hours. [ 1 7^7' ] Milling seems to have been profitable business ; for most of the mill sites were soon after this selected, and mills erected thereon. In this year a mill was built on the Poquessing by Thomas and John Townsend,^"^ who com- to Yorktown, Washington's Army encamped on the banks of the Poquessing. Concerning the origin of the name, Gen. W. W. H. Davis says: "It is thought to have originated with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lan- caster, who married a daughter of Don Pedro, the Cruel, and wore a lion rampant to represent his claim to the throne of Castile." "Nicholas Scull of Whitemarsh, Montgomery county, made^ a map of Philadelphia in 1750. He is thought to have been buried with his wife at Camp Hill. " See note on this topic in the account of the mills of this locality. 64 THE HISTORY OF menced business there, in partnership. This continued for twelve or fifteen years, when Thomas sold out his half to John, in whose family it remained until within a few years. During that time it passed through the hands of John, Ezra, and John P., successively, and is now owned by Levis Levis. ^^ [1770.] The people of this section appear to have been very peaceable, as we find no account of any person's holding a commission as justice of peace until Alexander Edwards, in 1770. Previous to that time the little busi- ness in that line was done by Joshua Maddox or Isaac Ashton, in Lower Dublin. Difiiculties and disputes among Eriends were generally settled by the Meeting ; and it was not until other denominations became more abundant that a justice of the peace was thought necessary. [1772.] As has been already observed, but little oppor- tunity was afforded to the children of the early settlers for obtaining an education, and many could neither read nor write; but it is believed that endeavors were used, as soon as circumstances permitted, to establish a place of instruc- tion. At an early day, a log school-house was erected near the meeting-house, and in this a school was kept until 1772, when, being no longer fit for the purpose, it was pulled down. The school was then moved to the meeting-house, where it was continued until after the Revolution. Although the school appears to have been regularly kept since 1750, the affairs were very loosely conducted. During this year the subject of schools was particularly adverted to in the Preparative Meeting; and, after an interchange of views, James Thornton, Thomas •" This property is now owned by James McMullen. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 6$ Townsend, John Townsend, and Jonathan Knight, were appointed to have the school under their particular care. From this time forward this important subject received its share of attention; and, owing to the judicious manage- ment of those who were appointed on such committees, an increased interest was soon manifest in the neighbor- hood, and the facilities for obtaining a good education were thereby much improved. The meeting instructed its committee to employ such teachers "as were not only in membership with us, but who were well qualified for the business, and careful and attentive in the discharge of their duties; and especially, that they be of sound moral and religious principles, that by precept and example the}' might inculcate useful sentiments in the minds of those under their tuition." In the year 1776 they employed Benjamin Kite to take charge of the school at the meeting- house. He was an excellent teacher, and is said to have brought about a great change for the better, in the man- ner of instructing the youth in Byberry. He was a man of good judgment, with but moderate abilities; but had a peculiar faculty for imparting his knowledge, and kept the best school that had then ever been in the township. [1774.] This year was remarkable for the snow storm which occurred on the 3d of May, and which did much injury to the crops of the farmers in Byberry and the adjoining districts. In the same notes* we find that in February, 1779, the weather was so warm that the bees swarmed and the peach trees blossomed. [1776.] This year the ''camp fever," as it was called, w^as very fatal in Byberry, and numbers of the people died * Notes kept by Henry Tomlinson, of Bensalem. 5 66 THE HISTORY OF of the disease. Among these were Richard Walton and Daniel Walton — the latter of whom owned a saw mill, situated in the meadow lately owned by Nancy Walton. ^^ When this mill was built is not known; but it was per- mitted to go into decay after Daniel's death. Some re- mains of the dam and race are still visible. 1^779'] According to the tax duplicate for this year, the number of taxables in Byberry was 82, and the value of property £179,690. Men were then required to swear or affirm that they had given in the right amount, and in case of refusal they were taxed double. Of the 61 prop- erty holders in 1779, 7 swore, 33 affirmed, and 21 were taxed double because they said nothing. Nine men were taxed $15 each because they had no wives. [1780.] The census of the townships, taken this year, show only three persons held as slaves. They were rated from two hundred to three hundred dollars each; but it appears that their value soon afterward decreased, for, in 1784, only four years subsequent, they were worth but half that sum.^^ Previous to this time the colored people who died in the townships were generally buried in the orchards belonging to their masters or in the woods; but forty or fifty had been interred in a kind of a cemetery for them, on lands lately owned by Charles Walmsley.^^ It was located in the field fronting the mansion house, not far from Watson "This property is now owned by Edward Shallcross. ** The decrease in the value of slaves was probably due to the ef- forts put forth by Anthony Benezet to have them freed. " This property is now owned by Elijah Osmond. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 6/ Comly's line.^^ All traces of it have long since been de- stroyed, and hundreds have since passed over the spot not knowing that they were treading upon the graves of the long since dead. Another of these graveyards was on the farm lately owned by Mary Hillborn/^ where several slaves were buried. The exact spot is not now known. Many persons by this time had had their attention drawn to the matter, and efforts were made to secure a proper place for the burial of such people. Accordingly, in this year, we find that Byberry Meeting purchased a lot of Thomas Town send for a burying place for the blacks, and the practice of burying on private grounds was discon- tinued. The record says the first person buried there was ^7ini,'' a negro belonging to Daniel Walton. The land in Byberry and Moreland, as well as all other land in Pennsylvania, was subject to a quit-rent from its first settlement. This was not very heavy, being only a penny to the acre, or a shilling sterling to the one hundred acres. It continued until the Revolution, when the As- sembly of Pennsylvania passed an Act abolishing all quit- rents; but as considerable opposition was made by John Penn, then the principal proprietor, the Assembly agreed to pay him £130,000 in lieu of said quit-rent, and the landholders were thus released from further payment. Having spoken of many circumstances that transpired previous to 1780, it is now time to glance at some of the events which occurred within our limits during the time the Colonies were struggling to throw off the galling yoke ** The property of Watson Comly now belongs to Joseph Buckman. ** This property is now owned by Anthony McGarbey and is the residence of Charles Osmond. 68 THE HISTORY OF of slavery to the Mother Country. We might speak here of the noble cause in which they were engaged, and por- tray to our readers some of the exciting times connected with that period, but it would be only repeating an oft- told tale, and we must content ourselves with a mere glance at the events as they were enacted in those days. There is no account of our fair fields having been deluged with blood, nor of any battle having occurred except the skirmish at Smithfield; and of that it is said that about twenty-five Americans were, on a certain occasion, in the vicinity of Eustleton, when they were pursued by a company of seventy-fi.ve British soldiers. As the pursuit did not continue farther than Bustleton, the Americans thought the danger had passed, and accordingly halted at Vanhorn's hotel, in Smithfield, to spend the night. This company was under the command of Jacob Humphreys, and on that very night allowed themselves to be surprised by one hundred British infantry and twenty cavalry ; and, in the engagement which followed, one-half of them were either slain or captured. The Americans scattered, and were pursued by the enemy. One person, named Glent- worth, while trying to escape, fell over the fence just as a soldier discharged his musket at him, and, as he was sup- posed to be killed, the enemy retired, and he escaped un- harmed. On that occasion several bullets were shot through the front door of a house in the village, which be- longed to a person named Vansant. He escaped only by hiding himself under a hogshead. In the morning several of the British went to Esquire Comly's house, where they demanded breakfast, which was at length furnished, much against his will. They had with them a man named Krew- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 69 son, whom they had taken prisoner the preceding night. The same night the British visited the house now be- longing to Jacob Saurman,^^ and a person named Boucher, who had not time to escape from the house, crept into the chimney, and his wife pushed the bed against it so as en- tirely to conceal the fireplace. They searched the house in vain for their prisoner, but were finally compelled to leave without him. They took the best of the horses with them, but did not otherwise molest the family. On one occasion, says a contemporary, a number of men, among whom was Peter Yarnall, went to Byberry Meeting, while Friends were assembling there, and took several horses therefrom. They were afterwards returned to their proper owners. During the whole of this trying period, the inhabitants of both townships were harassed by unprincipled collectors and lawless bands of plunderers. Many of the people were Friends, and were restrained by religious principles from joining in the contest. They suffered the loss of much property, sometimes for the use of the army, some- times for military demands, and at others without any pre- text whatever. Horses, sheep, hogs, wheat, corn, etc., were carried oft". Men were frequently seized and put in the army. One Friend, who kept an account of the prop- erty taken from him, stated that it amounted by fair valua- tion to £150 sterling; another had his horses taken from the plow by the soldiers, and many of the household goods of a third were seized by the collector. On the 6th of March, 1778, a company of Lacy's men, numbering about six hundred, set fire to several barns and wheat-stacks near ** Unfortunately this house no longer exists, it having been replaced f by a handsome modern structure. yO THE HISTORY OF the Bristol turnpike, under pretence of fulfilling orders issued by General Washington, to prevent the grain from falling into the hands of the British, then in possession of Philadelphia. They burned some wheat-stacks belonging to James Thornton, near Byberry Meeting House, and some owned by his tenant, Robert Thomas, not far from Knight's mill, and supposed to contain three hundred bushels. A barn belonging to Andrew Singley, at White Sheet Bay, on the Delaware, and one owned by Thomp- son, at Prospect Hill, were also destroyed. One account says, that James Thornton met them near Joseph Knight's corner, and threatened to inform Washington of their proceedings if they did not desist; others say that a supe- rior officer met them, and ordered them to destroy no more barns, after which they proceeded to the Billet. Shortly after this General Lacy caused many of the cattle and sheep to be driven into Bucks County under a similar plea. Some were taken as far as Doylestown, and others left near the Buck Hotel, in Southampton; but the owners going after them, nearly all were recovered. There was but little security for either persons or property, for wheat was taken from the granary, corn from the crib, fatted hogs from the pen, and even pork from the tub. One man left his corn in the shock until spring, thinking thus to save it; but it was taken as soon as husked. The same person, in order to save his wheat, had it ground, and the flour packed in barrels and hid under some buckwheat straw, where it remained all winter. In the spring he found a ready market among the poor people, who came up the river in boats, and walked across the country to his place. They first exhausted the supply at Howell's, now BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 7 1 Comly's mill; and were then sent to this farmer, who always kept a barrel open ready to supply their wants. The flour was soon sold, and silver received in payment. The men, it is said, carried a half, and the women a quar- ter of a hundred, to the river, a distance of three miles. There was considerable difficulty in getting produce to market, as Washington had prohibited any intercourse with the British while they were in Philadelphia ; yet, as provisions were high, and gold or silver paid for all that was purchased, many ran the risk of being captured, and when a successful trip was made, they seemed to be well repaid for the danger. They generally went along by- paths and across fields, and travelled only by night. A company of these men, when returning home, were bold enough to venture up the Bristol road, and when near Holm.esburg were fired on by a body of soldiers, and one of their number. Tommy Price, was killed. An old account says that Washington, while on the march to attack Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in 1781, en- camped one night with the main part of his army on both sides of the Poquessing Creek, in the southern part of By- berry, and near the Red Lion Hotel. Notwithstanding the great difficulty of getting their produce to market, and the losses sustained in various other ways, there were but few cases of failure among the inhabitants of either township. They made their ex- penses correspond with their income, and were generally prosperous ; while some of the military collectors, who had taken undue advantages, afterward became very poor, and in one case reduced to actual want. Many of the inhabitants were in favor of the old form y2 THE HISTORY 01* of government, but they generally took no part in the con- test, and but few were compelled to leave the townships on that account. It is said that William Walmsley harbored Joseph Galloway after he was compelled to leave his resi- dence at Trevose, now Belmont, on account of his favor- ing the British, but Walmsley was not interfered with. Jonathan Walton,^^ of Moreland, took an active part against the Americans, and was forced to go to Canada, but afterwards returned and was not molested. His property was not confiscated, and he sold it some years after peace was declared to Judge Sommer. Some of the Tories in the adjoining townships were so active in their operations against the colonists, that they were forced to flee to Nova Scotia, England, and other places. After the war was closed, the new government passed an act requiring the oath of allegiance to it to be taken by all citizens, and denying to all who refused to do so the rights of citizenship. Some took the test without hesitation, but others felt some scruples about the matter. As the provi- sions of the new government became better known, the seeming objections were removed, and the inhabitants generally came into the measure, although some called it "swallowing the pill.'' There was one act done by the people of Byberry which illustrates their true character, and deserves a place in this history. Benjamin Kite, who kept school at Byberry dur- ing the Revokition, gives the following account of this circumstance : "A singular civil arrangement took place " In 1850, an unofficial inscription on one of the rafters of Byberry Meeting, in which Jonathan Walton is spoken of as a "D Tory," could still be seen. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 73 in Byberry, with which no one who now Hves is better acquainted than m3^self, which I think ought to be known. Soon after the Revolutionary War began, and with which the inhabitants being all Friends could take no part, some of the better class, convinced that the few poor of the township should be provided for, and the roads kept in order without applying to any of the constituted authori- ties, either of the old or new regime, for years held elec- tions, chose overseers and supervisors, who regularly laid out and collected taxes, took care of the poor, and re- paired the roads; and it is worthy of note that the taxes were never more regularl}^ paid, though the collectors had no power to enforce their payment, nor were the poor ever more comfortably taken care of, nor the roads kept in better repair. The elections and the settlement of the offi- cers' accounts took place in my school-room, and I, on those occasions, acted ex-oificio as clerk." During the war, as is well known. Congress issued "Bills of Credit" to a large amount. This was called Con- tinental money, and soon, began to depreciate, so that in a short time it was worth little or nothing. One man in By- berry, it is said, paid two hundred and fifty dollars of it for a tea-kettle, and another paid one hundred dollars for a mug of beer.*^ Some, who were opposed to any change in the government, refused the Continental money, and hoarded up the old Province money, which they thought would be of full value after the war; but they were doomed to disappointment, it being entirely valueless. *' In Henry Tomlinson's diary, a portion of which has been in- serted in this history, is an entry stating that Continental money was at the ratio of six-hundred to one. 74 THE HISTORY OF *Byberry and the adjoining townships, although never the scene of any Revolutionary battle, if we except that at Hatborough, yet were, during that period, closely connected with the war. On the Qth of December, 1776, General Washington stationed Colonel Nixon's regiment at Dunk's Ferry, where it remained for about a month, affording opportunity for much intercourse with the people of the locality. About the same time the Legislature of New Jersey met at Four Lanes' End (since called Attleborough and Lang- horne). When Washington marched through Pennsylvania in 1777 to meet the British at Chadd's Ford, on the Brandywine, he stopped at Ger- mantown. This was August 6th. On August loth, he retraced his steps as far as Hartsville on the Neshaminy. Here he encamped for more than a week. During the British occupation of Philadelphia, the country be- tween the Delaware and Schuylkill was the scene of an active guerrilla warfare. On the same day on which the attack was made on Red Bank, Simcoe's Queen's Rangers advanced over Frankford Road as far as Frankford, then moved around the American post at Frank- ford and proceeded to the Red Lion Hotel at Torresdale. They made no captures. A few days later, these same troops attempted to cap- ture the American post at Frankford, but found the place deserted. A number of those wounded at Germantown on October 4th were cared for in this locality. On October i6th, Captain Webb was cap- tured at Abington with his command. About Christmas, 1777, Gen- eral Lacey's men advanced over Frankford Road to force a British foraging party to return out of New Jersey. According to William H. Egle, the British entered Moreland, Byberry and Bensalem on January 13th, 1778, and captured John Vandergrift, his son, and Edward Duffield. On February 13th the British took prisoner Mr. Butler, on the Old York Road. On January 20th, General Lacey, who had been ordered to occupy this locality about January ist, sta- tioned eighty men at Smithfield to keep a closer watch on the enemy. Here, on February 14th, they were surprised and about one-half were either taken prisoners or slain by Captain Thomas and his Bucks County Tories. Thomas came out of the city along with Hovenden to devastate the country and capture stragglers. Thomas took the Bustleton road and fought the above-mentioned skirmish at Smith- field. Hovenden took the Bristol Road and captured Gunning Bed- ford, Master of the Commissary Department of the Army, Major John Snyder, John Miller and Benjamin Walton. On February i8th, the British again advanced into the section, this time as far as New- town. Here they captured a quantity of cloth intended for the army> and Major Murray with about thirty soldiers. On February 19th, General Lacey ordered Lieutenant Vanhorn of Southampton, to watch the enemy on the Bristol, Smithfield, Old York and White- marsh roads. A little later, a drove of a hundred cattle were cap- tured while crossing the lower end of Bucks county on its way to Washington's camp. In April, a party of British advanced to Bristol ♦Note by the Editor. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 75 and captured Colonel Penrose and several other officers. On April, 26th, a party of Northampton teamsters left General Lacey's camp near Hatborongh and after proceeding about a mile on the County Line Road were surprised and captured. During the British occupation, the British entered Bensalem with the purpose of conducting Joseph Galloway's goods to the city. For this purpose they impressed wagons and teamsters of the locality. On their return to the city, they were annoyed by General Lacey's men who hung on their rear. They did not dare to attack them, however, and returned to the Galloway mansion and shot several bullets into the eaves of the house. A load of butter, eggs, poultry and produce was taken by someone of the neighborhood to the city under the British protection. The produce was sold and the pro- ceeds invested in salt which was then very scarce. By this means much money was gained. This seems to have been a constant practice with the inhabitants. Whenever a British force would invade a district, it would be fol- lowed on its retreat to the city by one or more wagons bearing pro- duce. Indeed; this business was so profitable that great risks of cap- ture were run in its pursuit. At one time Isaac Ryan of Moreland, in^ Montgomery county, made one of these expeditions to the city with a very fast horse. He reached the city in safety, but, on re- turning with a bag of salt, was discovered and pursued. To escape, he had to cast away his salt. His horse was ruined. At another time John Tomlinson, while on a similar journey to the city, was captured near Germantown. He was stripped, tied to a tree and pelted with his own eggs. He was given a very ragged suit and forced thus to return home. To stop this illegal trade seems to have been the chief duty of such men as Howard, Dover and especially Allan McLane. The latter operated mostly within eight or ten miles of the city and from the nature of his task was often led into amusing as well as dangerous situations. At one time, while going down the Bristol Pike, he was surprised near Cedar Hill by a large party of British in ambush. Quickly turning, he galloped over the fields only to encounter a larger force of the enemy. By advancing toward these as if to surrender, they were thrown off their guard. Under this advantage, he quickly turned toward Oxford Pike and galloped toward Fox Chase. The British now sent two horsemen in pursuit. These overtook Mc- Lane. With his pistol, he shot one and knocked the other from his horse and escaped. At another time, he was surprised when leaving- the Rising Sun Tavern, where he had been consulting with a patriot from Philadelphia disguised as a woman. Galloping toward the enemy, he ordered his imaginary troops to charge. Firing his pistol in the face of the captain, he escaped. He would often send one of his men, disguised as a countryman with produce, to the city to ob- tain information. When on such an errand, it was thought ?n ex- cellent joke to sell to the British horse flesh for beef. The Marquis de Lafavette crossed the township, stopping at Lang- horne, on his way to Bethlehem, after being wounded at Chadd's Ford. He is also popularly supposed to have lived in the old log^ 76 THE HISTORY OF house just north of the Pennypack Creek on the Bristol Pike. An- other tradition connects him with Cresson's Corner. It is said that he rode out to the Red Lion and with an aide continued his ride into Byberry. Stopping at the house of Chamberlain, he asked for supper. After supper was served, Lafayette pulled from his pocket a handful of coins, telling the woman to take the price of the supper. Upon her refusing to accept anything, he threw down a half sovereign. In concluding this note, it will be well to make a few extracts from the diary of Henry Tomlinscn of Bensalem. "1775, May i8lh — ^Joseph Cox went to learn the military trade at the Red Lion. 1775, August 5th — A great muster among the soldiers. 1776, May 3d and 4th — Great guns fired down the river. 1776, July 21 St — The soldiers in Bensalem set off for Trenton. 1776, August 24th — The Americans and Regulars fighting on Long Island. 1776, October 3d— The Rebels after Gilbert Hicks. 1776, December 31st — Two soldiers came here and inquired the way to Newtown. '^m, January 2d and 3d — Terrible fighting at Trenton. The can- non roared like thunder. ^717 i June 24th — N. W. and two soldiers took away two horses out of the plough. '^m, July 3d — The soldiers went by Byberry Meeting House and shot off many guns as they went. '^in, July 31st — Heard of the English fleet being in the Delaware. 1778, January 4th — The soldiers took away one bull and one heifer from me. 1778, January 8th — Sharp firing toward Philadelphia. 1778, March 6th — Much wheat and hay burnt. 1778, March 15th — A horse taken by the soldiers. 1778, March 27 — A mare taken by the soldiers for the use of the Continental Armv. 1778, April 8th— The English at Smithfield. 1778, April 13th — Much shooting toward Philadelphia. 1778, April 17th — The English ranging at Bristol and in Bensalem. 1778, June i8th— The English left Philadelphia. 1780, April 3d — Heard of Benjamin Gilbert and family being taken captive by the Indians and had his house and mill burnt by them. 1780. August 17th — Had .a horse taken out of the plough for the wagon by J. N. 1780. November 33th — Distressed for fines by A. L 45 bushels of corn and 25 of buclcwheat. and took ^300 in Continental money beside. 1781, May 24th — The lower battalion met at the Four-lanes-end (Langhorne). It is called a field day among the militia. Adieu to Continental money six hundred for one — ^not worth having at that rate. 1 781, August 30th — General Washington went to Philadelphia, escorted by 40 or 50 men — rode sword in hand as a guard." BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 77 Before closing this part of our history, we propose to notice some of the customs of the people at or about the commencement of the contest. The section of which we are writing the history had long since ceased to be a wil- derness, and fine farms and fertile fields occupied the place of what was once lonely plains. The industrious white settlers had continued to increase, not only in numbers but in enterprise, until they had reclaimed the whole of the land; while the "red men of the forest," thus crowded out, had left the homes of their forefathers and moved onward toward the setting sun. These last had indeed sold out all their possessions to William Penn; but the lands thus given up had been the home of their childhood^ and most of the important deeds of their youth had been enacted there. These lovely spots — their native grounds — around which so much that was pleasant clustered, were- annually visited by them ; and when the storms and chill- ing winds of winter had passed away, and the spring, with her life-giving breath, had clothed the earth with buds and blossoms, these rude sons of the West were sure to come, bringing with them the earthly wealth they possessed, to remain during the summer on the very spot where their early days had been spent. But as year succeeded year, and these little bands continued to arrive, it was plainly visible to all that the ruthless hand of time was gradually removing them to another w^orld, and in a few years more none remained to keep up this custom. During such visits they occupied the orchard belonging to Thomas Walms- ley, and lately owned by Charles Walmsley,^^ subsisted upon what game they could obtain from the woods and "This is now the property of Elijah Osmond. 78 THE HISTORY OF waters, and the charities of their white friends around them.^s They roamed about the woods shooting small game with their bows and arrows, or along the streams in quest of the inhabitants of the waters. Frogs, fish, and turtles were much sought after by them, and even the land tor- toises did not escape, for they furnished many a feast to the Indian and his family. They looked upon the land as still belonging to them, and always felt a freedom to help themselves to everything they met with in their ram- l)les. We have no accounts of their having disturbed any of the people, for they considered the whites as their l)rothers, and ever held them in the greatest respect. It is said that the last Indians who lived in the townships, were the two squaws, who were buried in the old grave- yard at Byberry Meeting, near the large cedar tree in the centre of the place.*^ With the disappearance of this race, and the conversion ** The Indians appear to have been exceedingly cunning. My friend, Mahlon Carver, tells the story of some Indians who stopped at Byberry Cross Roads for whiskey. They had a two-gallon jug in which was already one gallon of water. Telling the proprietor it was whiskey, they had him put a gallon of good whiskey into the jug. Asking for credit and being refused, they ordered the propri- etor to remove the whiskey from the jug. Continuing on to Bus- tleton, they repeated the same manoeuvre. This made the whiskey three-fourths pure and fit to drink. *• About this time, there resided in Ezra Townsend's mill an Indian called Taminy, who was engaged in collecting hides, making "baskets, hunting, fishing, etc., in the neighborhood. Before his death, Tie made Ezra Townsend promise that he would bury him under a certain tree on his property and keep a fence around the grave. Ezra Townsend faithfully kept the promise. But at his decease, his son, John, allowed the fence to be neglected. Cattle broke into the inclosure and on the next night, it is said, Taminy appeared to John reminding him of his obligation which was long afterward faithfully fulfilled. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 79 of their hunting-grounds into agricultural districts, the wild animals gradually disappeared. Wild turkeys, at first so numerous, were rarely seen after the Revolution. Bears, wolves, and wild-cats, also, had sought safer places of retreat, or been destroyed by the inhabitants. Unceas- ing war had been waged against these animals, and partic- ularly the wolves, as they had been so troublesome in de- stroying the sheep and hogs belonging to the inhabitants. Smaller game, however, seems to have been plenty; and we find accounts of myriads of pigeons frequenting this section. In 1764, they became so plenty that two young men, having no other employment, knit a net and com- menced operations early in the autumn of that year. They were successful, and by the first of the following April had caught over twelve thousand, which were disposed of in Philadelphia at about eight cents per dozen. If we were but to glance back at the condition of the country only a few years previous, great indeed would be the changes to be observed ; and it is quite probable that in no one thing had those changes been greater than in the erection of buildings. The old mode of constructing houses by means of logs, and but one story high, continued in repute until about the year 1700, when some of the more enterprising commenced to erect houses of stone, and to make them two stories high. The last of the old log houses stood upon James Thornton's property,^" and was torn down only a few years since. Some of the first of the stone houses are still standing. Among these are the old Gilbert mansion in Byberry, now occupied by *" This property is now owned by Jesse Tomlinson. 80 THE HISTORY OF Thomas James,^^ built in 1708, and tLe mansion, late the residence of Franklin Comly, Esq., in Moreland, built in 1702.^2 The house on Thomas Townsend's farm^^ was built previous to 17 12, by James Carver. It was one and a half stories high, hip-roofed, and built of stone. It has since been materially altered. The houses of William Walmsley (now Edwin Tomlinson's), John Carver, Thomas Townsend, Jacob Eckfeldt, and Reuben Parry, in Byberry, and those of Henry Brous, Charles Tillyer, and Jacob Saurman, in Moreland,^"* are quite ancient, al- though some of them have been modernized in their ap- pearance. Those belonging to Charles Tillyer and Jacob Saurman were built previous to 1720, and not having been materially altered since, furnish good specimens of the antique style of those days. The furniture in use was of the plainest kind, and the floors were without any car- pets. The food of the inhabitants consisted principally of such articles as were produced on their farms, and but few luxuries, even such as are now to be met with in the most humble stations, were then to be had. The more common, yet indispensable articles, were cheaper than at present. Molasses sold for twenty cents per gallon, salt twenty to twenty-five cents per bushel; but sugar was worth fifteen to twenty cents per pound. Beef was four cents per pound, rum fourteen cents a quart, and sheep- " This property is now owned by the heirs of Thomas James. "This date should be 1704. "This property is now owned by E. Morris Townsend. " The Henry Brous property is now owned by T. Miles Brous, that of Charles Tillyer by Charles Saurman, and that of Jacob Saurman by Ira and Elizabeth Saurman. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 8 1 skins $1.75 a dozen. About the year 1750 the more wealthy began to adopt the fashions and customs of Phila- delphia. Silk and linen handkerchiefs, silk for ladies' gowns, and fustian or cotton velvet for coats, were intro- duced soon afterward, but the general article of clothing for both men and women was the ''linsey-woolsey" made by the frugal housewife. The men wore breeches only coming to their knees; but these as well as their shoes were often ornamented with silver buckles of elaborate workmanship. As late as 1760, workingmen wore panta- loons having no falling flaps, but slits in front. They were so large that when the seats were worn out the back part was taken for the front, and by this means were made to last much longer. Some of the gentlemen carried muffs to keep their hands and wrists warm ; and the more elderly women wore bonnets made of black silk, which, when on the head, is said to have looked much like the top of a Jersey wagon, and hence were denominated "wagon bonnets." In 1744, breeches made of plush and lined with sheep- skin were in use, although many buckskin breeches con- tinued to be worn in Philadelphia by men of rank, and sheepskin was worn by boys as late as 1760, and in the country until after the Revolution. These leather dresses were warm and comfortable, and were very durable. One man tried to wear a pair out, but after many years of con- stant effort, he at last despaired of his purpose and cut them into flail-strings. Breeches went out of fashion in the early part of the present century. Before they disap- peared the name had become scarcely tolerable in refined society, and those made of buckskin were contemptuously 6 82 THE HISTORY OF called "leather organs." Tea and coffee were introduced about this time, but were at first used only by the more ^vealthy, and then only on Sundays. Instead of these articles, people made tea from garden herbs, and subse- quently, during the Revolution, when tea could not be obtained, they used the Ceanothus Americana (New Jer- ■sey tea), a plant growing abundantly in many localities, from which a harmless beverage was made. In the place of coffee, rye and wheat — but particularly the former — ^ere used, and furnished a cheap drink for all classes.^^ The children were not so carefully dressed as at the present time ; and the most of them, both male and female, Avent barefoot about half the year. Some of the more saving of the farmers usually went without shoes, and when going to market carried them in their hands until they reached the city, when they put them on and wore them until they got beyond the city's limits on their way Tiome ; they were then taken off, and carried the remaining distance.^^ Many curious customs were in vogue at this time. Umbrellas had not come into use, and on rainy days it was the custom for men to wear long oil-cloth cloaks; oil-cloth covers for hats and bonnets were also •common. Low-crowned hats were at first in use, but Avhen the crowns were raised, the covers were carried in them, ready in case of an emergency. In moderate weather men frequently wore overcoats to meeting when there was any appearance of rain. On one occasion a *° Rye was extensively used as a substitute for coffee during our late Civil War. " This custom was still in vogue in parts of Bucks County until within a few years. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 83 shower came up rather unexpectedly, and none were pro- vided with a great-coat except Edward Parry, who, on being asked how it was that he had one, said, "Because i -was wise." When umbrellas were first introduced it was considered ;a disgrace to be seen carrying one, and it was a long time before they came into general use. About this time (1770) it was customary to hold fairs at different places in the fall and spring, which were at- tended by a numerous concourse of people, both male and female. These were sometimes held at Philadelphia, and at others at the smaller towns, as Frankford, Bristol, etc. Many went to make purchases, and others to see what was going on, but by far the greater number for fun and frolic. Horse racing, dancing, drinking, stealing, and gambling, were carried on, and eventually were the cause of their discontinuance. At a fair held at Bristol, a Frenchman was caught while stealing a plug of tobacco, and was put in the stocks and subjected to the scoffs and jeers of the crowd. The young men, when the day was propitious, went to the fair by hundreds, each "with a bonnie lassie by his side." They were generally in their shirt sleeves, with their coats tied behind the saddle, and had on thin-soled shoes in which to trip the "light fan- tastic toe." They wore two pair of stockings, the inner one being white and the outer one made of colored yarn, with the top turned down so as to exhibit the inner pair and guard it from the dirt. Boots were not introduced until many years afterwards. In those days the living was very different from what it is now, and visitors were usually treated with mush and 84 THE HISTORY OF milk, apple and peach pies, cheevSe curds, home-made wine, and sugar, custards, etc. This was good, wholesome fare, and some of it would not be bad to take at the present time, particularly when one's appetite is sharpened by a previous fast. Many of the people at that time were unacquainted with the arts and sciences, and when anything occurred for which they could not offer a satisfactory explanation, it was attributed to the marvellous and the supernatural. Some firmly believed in witchcraft, but we have no ac- count of any one having been punished on account of be- ing a reputed witch. Many tales of witches have been related and many a poor woman had the common fame of being a witch, eighty or one hundred years ago. What may now appear a strange fancy, the spirits always se- lected the poor, thin, old, wrinkled women as their sub- jects, while they carefully avoided the young and hand- some, the lady of wealth and fashion, and the "sterner sex," whether of high or low origin. One would suppose that it was enough to bear the evils of time and the many infirmities of age, without the ills following in the train of witches, but as troubles are said never to come alone, what else ought we to expect than when the sunburnt faces became wrinkled with old age, the temper soured by the cares and troubles of time, when the teeth had fallen from their sockets, the cheeks lost their youthful bloom, the head whitened by the storms of many winters, and the frail beings borne down to the very brink of the grave, that they should be seized by the pestiferous spirits who manifested their presence in trying their charms upon the young people of the place, exhibiting strange and unac- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 85 countable affection for man or beast, haunting the abodes of the timid and making unhappy the hves of the nervous. All the evils that befell the people were charged to their influence, and they were persecuted for crimes that wrought no sympathy and of which they had no knowl- edge. Ghosts, spirits, and apparitions were objects of fear and apprehension. Many would go a long distance around rather than pass a burying ground at night, and places dark and gloomy, said to be haunted, were carefully shunned. A few persons more resolute than their neigh- bors generally, sometimes caught the ghosts and horse- whipped them so effectually as in the language of the boys to make them ''hollar." Sorceries and incantations were in high repute; and "witch doctors," both male and female, often enjoyed a fair share of public patronage. ♦Belief in witchcraft, during the earl}' days of Byberry, was ex- ceedingly common. It extended not only to the poorer and more ignorant classes, but to the more influential and intelligent. Belief in the absurdity existed as late as 1825. Mahlon Carver's father, John Carver, was once sitting on a log, by the roadside, beside Mary Comly, when Annie Dougherty chanced to pass. Annie Dougherty, an old Irish woman, was reputed to be a witch. They therefore kept perfectly quiet until the woman had passed lest she should cast a spell upon them. At another time a young man of Byberry was taken, ill with severe pains in the breast. He went to a conjurer in Bensalem who said \he young man had six wedges secreted beneath the ribs. The conjurer, on the young man's second visit, informed him that he had removed two of the wedges and that, with careful treat- ment, he could remove the other four. Fortunately the young man became conscious of his folly and discontinued his visits. At another time, General Willits, who was engaged in construct- ing the bridge across the Neshaminy Creek on the Byberry and Bensalem Turnpike, had a shovel stolen from him. He suspected a negro whom he employed. In the negro's presence, he told his men that he had gone to the conjurer who told him that a black man had stolen the shovel and that it would become red hot within the culprit's stomach, if it were not returned before the next morning. The shovel was returned. *Note by the Editor. 86 THE HISTORY OF At still another time, Captain Vansant, who built the bridge across the Poquessing on the Byberry and Bensalem Turnpike, while re- turning from Byberry Cross Roads with some stove rods, was met by an apparition in the person of Andre States. The Captain used the stove rods and felled the fellow to the ground. This gho^t was never seen again. For the above information concerning the superstition of the people, I am indebted to Mahlon Carver. He also mentions the name of a young man of that day, who is still living, and who was believed by the negroes to have dealings with the evil spirits of the Neshaminy caves. They once asked him if he had ever entered these caves. "Yes, often," said he. Then he went on to tell them the impossible wonders he had experienced. As he was returning one evening from a visit, a shower arose and he took temporary shelter with some negroes who were conducting a religious meeting in a house near by. As the room was very warm, he made a gesture to have the door opened. The negro, mistaking the meaning, thought that some one was without awaiting admission. He opened the door and went out to receive the newcomer ; but instead the negro was accosted by the savage growl of a huge black dog which the negroes'" superstitions converted into the devil. They thought that he had been led to the m.eeting by the yoimg man with the purpose of captur- ing one of them. The incident caused the greatest excitement among^ the negroes and was remembered for years. Regular physicians had not then settled in the neigh- borhood, and patent medicine venders were unknown, sq that most of the diseases were either treated by women doctors — those good old souls who are still found in every neighborhood and are always ready to wait upon the sick or distressed — or the "charm doctors," as they were fre- quently called. The old women generally resorted to teas,, etc., made out of garden vegetables ; but when the patient got very bad, some skilful son of ^sculapius from Frank- ford, Germantown, or Bristol, was called in and paid a few visits, which often served to check the disease. The influ- ence of the moon was considered to be a settled thing ; and all important acts, such as planting seed, putting in the crops, cutting timber, killing beef or pork, etc., were made to correspond with the signs, phases, etc., of the moon. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 8/ We cannot, however, wonder at all this, for but few had enjoyed the privilege of attending school, or had had any opportunity afforded them for becoming better informed.. Schools were very few in number, and these few most miserably conducted, the teachers often being but poorly qualified for the business. Another great want was books,, which were but indifferently suited to the purpose, and very expensive into the bargain. We find it stated that a school had been established in Moreland some time pre- vious to this, but no account of it or its teachers has been met with. Byberry had but the one school, which was at the Meeting House, and under the control of Friends. This was kept up most of the time from 171 1,* but the number of scholars in attendance was usually small. Only the most common branches were taught, such as readings writing and arithmetic, as far as *Tractice;" and those who could write a legible hand and perform an example in "Double Rule of Three," were looked upon as having a good education. This school at that time was one of the best in the country, and its ef^ciency may be attributed ta the fact of its having been under the care of Byberry Pre- parative A'leeting, in which great interest for the welfare of the youth was always manifested. Connected with this superstitious age were marvellous accounts of apparitions, ominous sights, and strange oc- currences, and these were generally made the subjects of * The following are the names of teachers engaged in Byberrjr from 171 1 to 1784: Richard Brockden. William Davis, John Wat- more, Roger Bragg. Josiah Ellis, John Pear, Walter Moore, Thomas Horner, Patrick Kelley, Joseph Walton, Isaac Carver, Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., Mahlon Carver, Thomas Marshall, and Benjamin Kite. Joseph Walton remained fifteen years and Benjamin Kite eight years. 88 THE HISTORY OF conversation during the long winter evenings when they were gathered around the fireside in social intercourse. The neighbors often met at these gatherings, when the mug of cider and plate of apples went freely round, and many a romantic adventure in pursuit of bears, wild-cats, raccoons, turkeys, &c., and many an interesting detail of the prodigious achievements of some Samson in felling the forests, husking the corn, or reaping the harvests, was related, to the infinite delight and satisfaction of the younger members present, who, with gaping counte- nances, eagerly drank them in as they fell from the lips of the narrators. As but few books or papers were then to be had, much more traditionary matter was handed down than at present, and social feelings were more fostered as a matter of necessity. It appears that, for some years previous to the Revolu- tion, the people of Byberry had become interested in the cause of civil liberty, and were ready to resist what they considered any encroachments on their rights as citizens by all the means consistent with their professed principles. The inhabitants of both townships attended the elections in Philadelphia, and most of them belonged to what was known as the ^'Assembly Party," in opposition to that of the Proprietors, to which the city people generally belong- ed. At these elections disputes frequently arose, and in 1 742 they came to blows, when some of the Byberry and Moreland people, along with others from the country, were driven from the polls ; but, arming themselves with clubs, they returned and cudgeled the city party without mercy. At these elections there was often much dififi- culty about voting, owing to the great numbers present; BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 89 and, on one occasion, it is said that an old man from By- berry, who could not get near enough to vote, came home and went all the way back again the next day for that purpose.^ ''^ Prior to 1780 but few stores had been kept in Byberry, and storekeeping was very profitable. Giles Knight was the first who engaged in the business; but, when James Thornton came over from England, he brought some books for sale, and soon after conceived the idea of start- ing a store in Byberry. It proved to be very profitable, and he and his family continued in the business for the next forty years. It is said that he cleared £6,000 in twelve years by the business."'"'^'^ We find that the people of these townships were not behind their neighbors in adopting improvements in agri- culture. It had formerly been the custom to sow wheat among the corn, after which the latter was cleared of¥; but this practice was given up, and the ground where the corn had been the previous year was broken up and sown with wheat. After the custom of sowing oats was intro- duced, the corn ground was broken up in the spring, and a crop of oats gathered before sowing the wheat in the fall. This was a great improvement, but, as the crop of wheat sometimes failed, some one conceived the idea of sowing clover with the oats, and allowing it to remain over one season before putting it in with wheat. These two cus- toms have remained in vogue ever since. The crops of wheat are said to have been very good, although but little "Jesse Tomlinson, who lived during the Revolution and early- days of our national existence, pictures the election and training days as days of drunkenness, fighting, gambling and horse racing. °^ This book business was conducted at Byberry Store. 90 THE HISTORY OF manure was applied. Harvesting, for a long time, had been done with the sickle; but, about the year 1750, the scythe and cradle were introduced. Many objections were urged against this innovation on an old custom, and the older farmers determined not to use them; but, owing to their so greatly facilitating the labor of harvesting, they finally came into general use. The first plows used were of the old English pattern; but an improved article, with Dutch shares and wooden mould-boards made of cherry, that naturally twisted in the right direction, afterwards came into use.*^^ They worked very well, and would turn a smooth furrow ; but the iron mould-boards soon came up, and the improve- ment, being so obvious, they were immediately adopted. In early times people generally travelled on horseback ; but about the year 1750 riding chairs were introduced,, and, in 1764, Byberry and Moreland could boast of three vehicles of this kind only, kept for pleasure. Formerly it was customary at Byberry Meeting for people to stand up when tired of sitting. When Samuel Sparold visited the meeting he observed in his sermon, ''that if every one had to pay 2d for each time of stand- ing, he thought the practice would not be so common." This custom soon after went out of fashion. During the Revolutionary War, there was a cave in the woods now belonging to Jacob Saurman.^^ In this old * A person named Christian Zentman, of Moreland, Montgomery County, made most of the plows with wooden mould-boards used in the townships. After him Thomas Miles started the business at Fox Chase, and continued it about sixty years. '"'The business is continued by T. Miles Brous. "^This property now belongs to Ira Saurman and his sister, Elizabeth. BYFERRY AND MORELAND. 9I cave an old man lived alone for many years, and being- very poor, depended upon the neighbors for food and clothing. Old Tommy Helveson's wife said she frequent- ly carried victuals to the hermit, who is represented ta have been very old, with long white hair and beard, but very harmless. Vestiges of the cave still remain. Upon examining a list of the names of the inhabitants of these townships about the close of the war, one is much surprised to find so many unfamiliar names ; but he is still more surprised at the absence of many of those so familiar as pioneers in the early history. Some families had been entirely removed by death, so that not a single representa- tive remained; while others, delighting in change, and probably conceiving that other localities presented a bet- ter chance for them to become wealthy, had sold out their property, and moved to other places. We find, among- those who thus emigrated, mention made of several of the Knights going to West Jersey, in 1717; the Comlys and Waltons to Horsham, from 1730 to 1740, and the Scotts and Comlys to Gunpowder, Maryland, in 1756. A few of these subsequently returned to their native place; but most of them remained, and their descendants may still be found peopling those places. 92 THE HISTORY OF THE FREE SOCIETY OF TRADERS, NICHOLAS MOORE AND MORELAND.* William Penn^ on acquiring Pennsylvania, sold the land on the most liberal basis. His terms were these: "To those who wished to buy shares in the Province, he gave 5,000 acres for £100 and to pay annually i shilling quit-rent for each hundred acres, the quit-rent not to be- gin imtil 1684. Renters were to pay i penny per acre for land not to exceed 200 acres. Persons who take laborers were allowed 50 acres per head and 50 acres to every person when his time is expired." Under these inducements was organized the "Free Society of Traders in Pennsylvania." In considering this subject we will first treat more dis- tinctly of the "Society" itself. We will next treat of its president Nicholas Moore. We will finally give some account of the Manor of Moreland. The Free Society of Traders in Pennsylvania was merely a company of Bristol and London merchants who purchased large tracts of land in Pennsylvania with the intention of establishing trade, agriculture, manufactur- ing, shipbuilding, fishing and all other necessary occupa- tions of a pioneer settlement. They aimed at establishing a self-supporting, co-operative community, where all property was, to a certain extent, to be held in common. According to the intentions of the company at its organi- zation in t68t, the Society's factories were to be erected on the Chesapeake Bay as well as on the Delaware River. ♦By the Editor. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 93 An agent in London was to sell all goods including the Indian products. There was to be besides a president, a secretary, treasurer, surveyor and miner. Nicholas Moore was chosen its president. Its other members were : James Claypoole, Philip Ford, William Sherloe, Edward Pierce^ John Symcock, Thomas Brassey, John Sweetapple, Robert Turner, John Bezer, Anthony Elton, John Bennister, Walter King, Thomas Barker, Edward Brooks, Francis Plumsted, Francis Burroughs, Edward West, John Crow, John Bory, Joseph Martin, Edward Pelrod, Thomas Holme, Griffith Jones, James Harrison and Isaac Martin. James Claypoole, or Claypole as it is written, writing home, says that Penn was a member of the Society and that, besides his contribution, he gave the Society the quit- rents on all its lands. Speaking of the lands of the Society, John Watson says: "They bought at first 20,000 acres and their ap- purtenant city lots was an entire street and on one side of a street from river to river, comprising therein 100 acres, exclusive of 400 acres besides in the Liberties. ... . They set up a glass-house, a tan-yard, a saw-mill and whalery.'^ This original grant dates from March 24th, 1682. The city lots lay along both sides of Pine street and extended nearly to Spruce and from river to river. The name of Society Hill was given to this section on account of the Free Society of Traders. Most of the 20,000 acres was located in Bucks County. One portion of the grant ex- tended into the townships of Warwick, New Britain and Hilltown. Eight hundred acres of this tract was after- ward purchased by Jeremiah Langhorne. Another tract of 5,000 acres lay along the Durham Creek and was after- 94 THE HISTORY OF ward acquired by the Durham Company. The company, like all other co-operative associations of such a character, soon dissolved. Many of its members, however, became prominent. Of Nicholas Moore, we shall speak in another place. James Claypoole, related to Oliver Cromwell, took up lands in Bucks County. He became a prominent merchant of Philadelphia and also an official of Bucks County. He came to Pennsylvania along with his wife Helena, seven children and servants on Captain Jeffries' ship, the Thom- as Arnold, from London on March 20th, 1686. Francis Plumsted took up lands in Bucks County. Plumsted Township is named in honor of him. He was previously an ironmonger of England. Francis Burroughs has many descendants in Bucks County. Thomas Holme, the sur- veyor, took up between two thousand and three thousand acres in the Province. That in Lower Dublin amounted to sixteen hundred and forty-six. James Harrison, who was very influential and a close friend of William Penn, settled near Bristol, Bucks County. The Society was remarkable for its dealings with the Indian and negro. One of the provisions in the charter provided that the "Society assist Indians settling in towns with advice and artificers." Another article provided for the freedom of slaves of the Society at the expiration of fourteen years provided that the slave thus freed give to the Society two-thirds of all he could produce on the land allotted to him with tools given to him by the Society. If he should refuse this offer, then he was to continue tslave until he should accept it. Penn appears to have attached great importance to the BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 95 Society. He often mentions it in his letters. In 1683 he sent a long letter home to the Society describing the infant colony and its natural resources and advising the Society to introduce, among other things, the grape for wine. The letter is perhaps the most accurate account we have of the early resources and appearance of the colony. Before turning to an account of Nicholas Moore, it will be well to insert an account written by Oldmixon, wlio visited the colony in 1708. Speaking of the Society, he says: ''Mr. Pen sold 20,000 acres of his land to James Claypool, Mr. Nicholas Moor, Mr. Philip Ford and others who formed a company and had a street and a side of a street set out for them in Philadelphia with 400 acres in City Liberties. They set up a Tannery, a Saw-Mill, a Glass-House, and a Whalery ; of the two latter I suppose they never made any great hand. The proprietor's con- ditions for purchase were these £20 for 1,000 acres so he ' put £400 in his pocket immediately, but that was a trifle to what went out of it for the grant and experiments to people and settle the country. The quit-rent was 12 (pence) or its value for every 100 acres. This was cheap enough but I think the renters were not so well used for they were to pay 12 (pence) an acre yearly. Thus these 20,000 acres which he sold, the country would if rented have brought him £1,000 a year." Let us now next consider Nicholas Moore. His name stands prominent in the early pages of our history. Be- sides being president of the Free vSociety of Traders he also held many positions of trust in the infant colony. He has been more fully considered in the portion of the work 96 THE HISTORY OF devoted to "Biographical Sketches." A few remarks concerning him, however, will not be improper in this place. In politics, I\icholas Moore created bitter enemies* Gordon says that he was not a Quaker. This probably explains his treatment. In the Minutes of Council, under date of "i2th of 6 mo., 1682," is this insertion: "Nich. Moore, President of the Society of Free Traders, was summoned for disrespectable words uttered concerning its former council. He made apology." In the Minutes of Assembly under date of March i6th, 1685, is this statement : "Nicholas Moore for contempt of the authority of the house was expelled." In the Minutes of Council under date of 15th of 3 mo., 1685 (May 15th, 1685) occurs this statement : "Three pages of charges were made against Judge Nicholas Moore, for high crimes and mis- demeanors. It was on this occasion that Patrick Robinson declared of the Instrument, that the Assembly in so do- ing had made the impeachment at hab nab, for which they also desire satisfaction. The Council resolved that thev could not act until he was first convicted in Court. He afterward made his submission and continued an agreed time of three months." This minute of Councils was made of course after he had been expelled by the Assembly. The Assembly in expelling him had drawn up a petition of ten articles which was sent to Penn in England. This was the petition mentioned in the Minute of Councils. It. appears to have had no effect on Penn for, on altering the judicial system, Moore was reappointed judge and was ultimately elected chief justice. His quarrel wivh the Assembly and Councils came to the forementioned focus BYRERRY AND MORELAND. 9/ largely from the fact that on a single day he three times entered his objections to acts that were being passed with- out first having been published as required by law. Nicholas Moore, also written Moor and More, a promi- nent lawyer of London, became interested in land in Phil- adelphia County on the 7th of 6 mo., 1684, through the purchase of a tract known as the Manor of Moreland,. containing supposedly 9,815 acres. He was to pay a silver English shilling for each hundred acres. It w^as found that he had received more land than the deeds called for. Therefore, on July loth, 1689, Thomas Fairman was empowered to make a new survey. On re- survey, after deducting the necessary 6 acres to 100 for roads, it was found that Nicholas Moore had still about 500 acres more than the grant called for. Five hundred acres were accordingly sold to Thomas Fairman and Anne Salters. This strip was taken from the northeastern border. Nicholas Moore had both a country and city residence His city residence was on the triangular lot at the south- east corner of Second and Spruce Streets on land belong- ing to the Society. Here he lived during the greater part of his time. In 1685, he erected a manor house near the present village of Somerton, at a place called Green Spring or Green Briar Spring. This was one of the first, though probably not the first house erected in Moreland. It is im- probable that a court-house or a jail existed here as the author states, although he may have heard local cases, or imprisoned a culprit in one of the outhouses for a night. His death in 1689 was soon followed by that of a wife, Mary, a son, Samuel, and a daughter, Rebecca. Three 7 98 THE HISTORY OF children survived. These were: Nicholas Moore, Jr., Sarah Moore and Mary Moore. Sarah Moore married William Sluby. Mary Moore married Elias Keach, a preacher at Penny pack. In 1 702, the estate was divided. Nicholas Moore took up land and resided in the low^er part of Moreland. Sarah Moore took up the western part of the manor, but resided in Philadelphia. Mary Moore took up several thousand acres near Hatborough. It appears that she returned to Europe with her romantic husband, Elias Keach. They had a daughter, Hannah, who married Revitt Harrison. Hannah vSoon died but left a son, John Harrison. In 1738, he secured his mother's title and resided in Hat- borough. But the Moreland of 1702 when the division occurred, was not identical with the "Manor" as it existed at the time of Nicholas Moore's death. It appears that addi- tions were made to its southwestern border. A large por- tion had also been sold to pay the debts of the estate, edu- cate his children and improve the manor. Among the debtors was John Holme, an ancestor of those of that name now residing in Holmesburg. In April, 1695, John Holme presented a petition to Councils to have them audit Nicholas Moore's accounts. They found Moore's estate indebted to John Holme to the amount of £270. John Holme therefore sold the plantation at Green Spring and other parts of Moreland. The Green Spring plantation was purchased by Robert Heaton, on September the nth, 1697. He sold it to his son-in-law Henry Comly, Jr., who in 1704 erected a mansion near the old one. In 1703, 1,200 acres near Willow Grove were sold to BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 99 Nicholas Wain of Bucks and Thomas Shute, by Mooters heirs. They, in turn, sold it to smaller purchasers; so that, by 1738, this tract contained about ten or twelve families. Moreland appears to have been settled slightly after Byberry. Among the earliest settlers were: John Sim- cock, Jacob Dubree, James Dubree, Thomas Hallowell, William Dunn, Ralph Dunn, John Wain, Nathan Bewly and Thomas Pennington. Among those who settled around Hatborough before 171 2 we have : Thomas Lloyd, John Salters, John Swift, Jacob Izelstein, and William Allen. Among those who settled between the Old York Road and Byberry may be mentioned : Benjamin Cooper, Thomas Parry, William Walton, Thomas Wood, Jacob Boileau, Ralph Morgan, Thomas Kirk, Walter Moore, Harmon Yerkes, Josiah Yerkes, Cornelius Wyncoop, John Harrison, John McVaugh, Samuel Boucher, William Murrey, John Butcher, Caspar Fetters, Joseph Mitchell, Jonathan Comly, Richard Maple, Derrick Hewson, Wil- liam Roberts, Albertson Walton, William Tillyer, Henry •Comly, Nicholas Moore, Jr., John Bradford and Benjamin Duffield. By the year 1740, Moreland contained a popula- tion of 600 inhabitants, many of whom were slaves. In 1728, limestone was discovered near Abington. This was immediately utilized for fertilizing purposes and to make mortar in erecting new houses to replace the old and less substantial ones. A great many of our old houses of to-day date from this period. For 75 years the people traveled chiefly on horseback. Their grain was generally taken to James Logan's Mill lOO THE HISTORY OF near Germantown, or to Lewis' or Gwinn's Mills on the Pennypack. Luxuries appear to have been almost unknown. Like the people of Byberry, mush was their principal article of diet. Doughnuts were eaten only on Christmas. Calico was w^orn only on Sunday. The people of Moreland shared the superstition of tne Byberry people. The glens of the Pennypack were, ac- cording to them, haunted by ghosts and malicious spirits. A red ribbon w^as often tied on the horns of the cattle to make them impregnable to any supernatural influence. To discover the proper place for a well, the sweet apple crook w^as used. This was a two-pronged stick cut from a sweet apple tree. The person using the stick would hold it by the prongs with the other end projecting in air. Where- ever the stick chose to turn toward the earth, water was to be found. Such was thought to be the power of this stick, that the operator's bones would be broken if he attempted to prevent it from descending. At first learning was on a low level. Few of the chil- dren of the first settlers could read or write. Schools were soon started, however, and, according to William J. Buck, by the year 1776, we have five schools in Moreland. The first was near Hatborough and was established about 1730. The second was in the southwestern corner of Moreland, on the Welsh Road. The third was near Parry's Mill on the Newtown Road one mile northeast of Willow Grove. The fourth was the Middle Road School House below the Sorrel Horse Hotel, built before 1745 and still used for school purposes. The fifth was near the Byberry line in the lower end of the township. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. lOI Soon after the Revolution, Montgomery County was created. In so doing, Moreland was divided in such a manner that about one-fifth of it remained with Philadel- phia-County and four-fifths of it went to help form the new county. I02 THE HISTORY OF PART II. FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME. CHURCHES. As we have already seen, Byberry, Horsham, and Ab- ington Meetings were united to form "Abington Monthly Meeting;'' but in the year 1782 Byberry and Horsham were detached from Abington, so as to form a separate Meeting, to be called "Horsham Monthly Meeting," which was to be held alternately at the two places. In 1786 the Monthly Meetings of Abington, Horsham, Gwynedd, and Richland, which had previously been attached to "Phila- delphia Quarter," were united to constitute a new Quarterly Meeting to be known as "Abington Quarter." The select members at Byberry at that time were James Thornton, a minister, Thomas Town- send, John Townsend, Susannah Walmsley, Grace Town- send, Agnes Walmsley, and Mary Knight. In the same year the Preparative Meeting, having no Book of Discipline, paid £5 14s. for a manuscript copy of the same, and it was agreed to circulate it among Friends, "with caution and care to return it again in one month." It is a matter of regret that so little is known of the BYBERRY AND MORELAND. IO3 religious labors of the ministers at Byberry, or of those who visited the place. Henry Tomlinson, who kept an account of many of the more important events in the neighborhood, in some of his notes on Byberry, makes mention of one Arthur Howell, preaching at Byberry Meeting, "and that he preached well, though a Whig." The same person states that in 1788, James Thornton, who was the most prominent minister at Byberry, obtain- ed from the Meeting a certificate to go on a visit to his friends in England. On the occasion of his departure he preached a farewell sermon to a very large congregation of people^ who had assembled in the meeting-house to hear him. He was absent about sixteen months ; and on his return, the people again gathered in great numbers to show the respect they felt for him, as an honored neighbor and a worthy minister of the gospel. In the year 1796, a census of the members of Byberry Meeting was directed to be taken for the use of the over- seers; when it was found that there were three hundred and eighty-five members, including adults and children. The old meeting-house, which was built in 1714, and reconstructed in T753, began to have a very dilapidated appearance before the close of the eighteenth century, and by the year i3o8 w^as in such a tottering condition that it was no longer tenable, and Friends in that year erected a new house near the locality of the old one, of the di- mensions of 66 by 36 feet, and at a cost of about $2,600.^ The whole of this sum was raised by subscription among the members, except about $60, which was given by Ab- ^This meeting-house was erected by Samuel Paul. 104 THE HISTORY OF ington Meeting in consideration of a like sum formerly received from Byberr}'- for a similar purpose. Atout this time some Friends felt much concern in re- gard to the changeable modes of dress; and much was said to discourage Friends, and particularly the younger portion, from following the fashions of Philadelphia. High-crowned hats, narrow-waisted and sharp-tailed coats, lappel coats and sharp- toed shoes, were particularly animadverted upon. The girls were hardly allowed a cape to a black silk bonnet, a hood to a cloak, or any deviation from the old-fashioned shape and cut of a long gown ; and Warner Mifflin was so much exercised in regard to orna- mental show, that he carried a chisel and saw with him when travelling about, so as to remove the superfluous carvings, etc., from furniture found in Friends' houses. At James Thornton's, he attempted to remove some orna- ments from the clock ; but the old lady interfered, and friend Thornton told Warner he had better give up the "business. About the time this matter claimed the attention of Friends, some discussion in regard to the use of spirituous liquors was introduced into the Meeting. Many Friends became very active in the cause; and through their in- fluence the custom of handing around wine at social gath- erings and furnishing distilled liquor to hands in harvest- time, was to a great extent abolished, and probably much good was done thereby.^ ' Although the temperance movement began about 1825, yet the use of whiskey in the harvest field and at elections was continued until about the time of the Civil War. It was thought impossible to harvest the hay or win an election without it. An old resident of Byberry spoke of whiskev as "The Great Curse of Byberry." BYEERRY AND MORELAND. IO5 The subjects of courtship and marriage also occupied the minds of many Friends, who urged the discontinu- ance of the custom of keeping company at unseasonable hours, after the rest of the family had retired, and some labored heartily to accomplish this end. Parents, who were very strict, enjoined the matter upon the young peo- ple; but others treated the subject rather indifferently, and kept to the good old-fashioned way in that very im- portant and rather agreeable business. The young people, contrary to their usual custom, were not in favor of the innovation, and expressed themselves as satisfied with sometimes waiting, when two only were in company, until the "wee sma' hours" when all but lovers are asleep. The old folks had served an apprentice- ship to the delightful business, and why should not their children take pattern after them ? The number of members belonging to Horsham Month- ly Meeting had increased so much, that, in 1810, it was thought desirable to separate the two Meetings, and since that time Byberry has had a Monthly Meeting consisting of its members only. From a census taken at this time, the members of the Meeting numbered four hundred and forty-six. This year (18 10) might be considered rather an im- portant one in the history of the Meeting, as it was in the latter part of it that John Comly, afterward one of the most noted preachers of the Society, came forward in the public ministry. Some others followed his example ; and the Meeting seems to have been more prosperous that at any other period, and all things passed smoothly on until the war of 181 2, when a number of the members were I06 THE HISTORY OF drafted. Most of these refused to go, and were accord- ingly court-martialed, and fined from twenty to one hun- dred dollars each. They could not conscientiously pay these fines, and therefore suffered distraints of their prop- erty, which, in some cases, was taken and sold. The prosperity of the Meeting at Byberry. and indeed of^the whole Society, continued for many years ; but there had been a difference of opinion upon some important doctrinal points for some time, and this spirit of dis- cussion gradually increased until 1827, when it reached the crisis, and a final separation was the result. Byberry Friends seem not to have taken much part in the discus- sion until the time of the division. There was then some difficulty in the Monthly Meeting, as both parties desired to retain possession of the Meeting's property ; and to be considered the Monthly Meeting; but it finally ended with the Orthodox party withdrawing, and leaving the Hick- site portion in peaceable possession. After their with- drawal the Orthodox organized a Meeting for worship, which was held at David Comfort's house,^ in Byberry, until they had time to erect a meeting-house, which they did in the latter part of the next year, 1828, on a lot then belonging to Watson Atkinson, about a half mile south of the old meeting-house, for which they were to pay a yearly rent of one ton of hay.* In the year 1834, David Comfort, having purchased the property of Atkinson, deeded the lot to James C. Comfort and Thornton Com- fort, in trust, for the use of the Orthodox portion of Friends living in Byberry, both as a meeting-house lot ' This was the house now occupied by Jacob Eckfeldt. •This building is no longer standing. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. IO7 and a burying ground. It contained about one hundred square perches, and was given with a proviso that if the said meeting should be discontinued, and no meeting held there, the trustees were to sow it with grass seed, and with the proceeds keep it in good order. They continued to hold their meetings at this place for several years, and until death had removed most of those who took an active part in the separation. The others then sold out, and left the neighborhood; and, in the year 1859, meetings ceased to be held at this place. The property is now under the control of trustees appointed by Frankford Monthly Meet- ing of Orthodox Friends. This meeting-house is situated about fifty yards from what is now the Byberry and Andalusia turnpike, and persons unacquainted with the circumstances would never think of its having been used as a place of worship ; but here, those who believed in the Orthodox creed, met to- gether to worship the God of their fathers twice a week for many a year. Their numbers were indeed few, and their house small; but probably they felt as if a small house with a few choice Friends was preferable to a larger edifice, filled with strangers. My recollections of this spot when a schoolboy, are, that seldom more than a dozen persons congregated there in the middle of the week, and about twice that number on First-days. Asa Walmsley was their preacher, and often have we seen him going ta and from the Meeting. He was a portly old gentleman, his hair silvered o'er with age, his dress neat but plain, and strictly corresponding with his profession, and his whole manners bespoke the kindness of a humane heart. He sometimes stopped to speak to us, when passing I08 THE HISTORY OF through our play-grounds, and the impressions made upon my mind on such occasions still remain. There were two or three sheds connected with this house, but they have been taken down, and the old frame meeting-house now stands desolate and alone, without a single tree or shrub around it ; and all those who met here in days gone by — the Walmsleys, the Comforts and the Parrys — have either removed to other localities, or are numbered with the dead. At the time of the separation the members of Byberry Monthly Meeting numbered five hundred and four, only thirty-nine of whom withdrew. The old Meeting still continues well attended ; but to a casual visitor it seems to be somewhat on the decline. It is a large stone edifice, two stories high, and surrounded by a number of stately ,Lombardy poplars, which are peculiarly interesting as rel- ics of former times, as most of this species so common as shade trees around every farm-house twenty years ago have since been cut down and the more fashionable kinds planted in their place. The exterior of the house is neat but plain, and its appearance is sufficient to tell the stranger that this is a place of worship for Friends. In front of it, and only a few yards distant, is the "old grave- yard" — the resting-place of many of the ancient inhabi- tants who now lie in undisturbed repose within its crum- bling walls; to the south is the "new graveyard," which is fast filling up, and where every narrow cell will soon be tenanted; and to the north is the "old school-house," where many of the present generation were educated, and in and around which many of the scenes of our early life are remembered with exquisite pleasure. The meeting- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. IO9 house yard contains about three acres of ground, all of which is nicely planted with shade trees, giving it a pleas- ant appearance and affording building places for numer- ous birds, which, in return, make the spring and summer air vocal with their music. Long rows of sheds nearly surround the place, affording to the horses protection alike from the summer's sun and the winter's cold. The mem- bers being generally in good circumstances, go to meet- ing in their carriages; and on a fine summer's mornmg from eighty to one hundred neat vehicles, drawn by hand- some and well-fed steeds, may be noticed occupying these sheds or fastened in the shade of the trees, while their owners and families are listening to the words of coun- sel and wisdom spoken within the sanctuary. Well do I recollect these scenes, and often does my spirit yearn to mingle with them once again. Nearly all the more numerous families in and around Byberry worship here, and the descendants of the Comlys, the Carvers, the Knights, the Gilberts, the Waltons, the Townsends, the Walmsleys, the Worthingtons, and the Tomlinsons — names found away back in the primitive settlement of the place — still compose the principal part of the congregation. Some of the names, familiar then, have not now a single representative left; and others, of whom we then had no account, now take an active part in the Meeting's affairs. The interior of this house is ex- ceedingly plain, but there is withal a feeling of comfort that makes even a stranger feel that he is among friends. As I sat in the house a short time since, my thoughts wandered back to those who formerly occupied seats at the head of the Meeting, and it seemed to me that I could no THE HISTORY OF mentally see John and Isaac Comly, James Walton, and Joshua Gilbert, each with his own peculiar countenance, still sitting in the gallery, gazing at the back benches to keep some of us rollicking youngsters within the bounds of propriety and good order. I remember the solemn still- ness that pervaded the whole assembly until John Comly arose to preach, when a slight bustle followed, but quickly died away, and the audience waited with suspense for the words of encouragement which all expected from his lips. All gave attention to the preaching ; and as he proceeded in his discourse, one might see by their countenances that he was touching some of the many strings that are found in the human heart. The walls of the old meeting-house have at different times reverberated with the voices of most of the great preachers belonging to the Society, since 1808 — such as Elias and Edward Hicks, Priscilla Hunt, Mary Lippincott, Henry Ridgeway, John Hunt, and a host of others — some of whom came a long distance to fulfill their "missions of love." This spot is now, as it ever has been, since the seventeenth century, the cyno- sure of Byberry, and we hope that many ages will yet pass away ere its walls shall crumble or its reminiscences be forgotten. The great majority of the people of Byberry are Friends, or friendly inclined, yet several of other societies have of late settled there. In the village of Somerton and vicinity many of the Methodist persuasion have settled, and feeling the want of a convenient place for religious worship they started a meeting in that place at the old school-house, several years since. As the society con- tinued to increase in numbers and in wealth, they, in the BYBERRY AND MORELAND. Ill year 1848, erected a substantial stone church in the east end of the village, and which ranks among the improve- ments of the place. At first this church was united with the one at Bustleton, and a minister placed in charge of both of them, who preached alternately at each place ; but the circuit was divided in 1858, and since that time Somer- ton has supported a minister alone. This meeting and the one at Byberry, are now the only ones within the limits of the townships, yet many of the inhabitants attend service at Pennypack Baptist Church near Bustleton, or at All Saints' Church on the Bristol turnpike, a short dis- tance from the southern extremity of Byberry.^ PREACHERS OF BYBERRY MEETING. While the meeting was held near the Red Lion, in the southern part of Byberry, an old account says that a man preached there, and mentioned that, "as he was at the plow, the Lord came to him and told to go to such a place;'' that another man who was present immediately told the preacher "he lied ; that the Lord did not come to him when at the plow, and tell him to go to such a place." The first approved minister we hear of at Byberry was William Walton. In the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting, mention is made of dealing with one William liibbs, for not taking off his hat when William Walton was at prayer. William Walton was at the head of the Meeting for many years, and until his death, in 1736. Thomas Walton, a nephew of the above-mentioned William, sometimes preached, especially when no other "This history was first published in the year 1867. Since that time Byberry Chapel and St. Andrev/s in the Field have been erected. 112 THE HISTORY OF minister was present. He took a distinguished station in the meeting, but was never recommended. He was dis- owned about 1763, for not paying his debts. Samuel Jackson preached about the year 1737, but probably was not recommended. Ann Moore was an approved and celebrated minister. She resided in Byberry three or four years, but removed thence to Mayland, in 1753. She was one of the most pop- ular and powerful preachers of her time, although she had but little education. Walter Moore, husband of Ann Moore, sometimes at- tempted to speak in public meetings, but his moral char- acter was exceptionable. He received but little encour- agement from the Society to which he belonged, and was not held in much esteem by them. Jacob Scott appeared in the ministry about 1751. He took some short religious journeys. He was of the Scott family in Bensalem, and afterward moved to Maryland. Job Walton, son of William, made some attempts at preaching in 1752. His conduct was irregular, and he was disowned, probably for intemperance, after which his life was unhappy. Sarah, daughter of Isaac Bolton, of Southampton, was acknowledged as a minister of Byberry in 1752. About 1757 she married and removed to Maryland, where she died in 1783. Abraham Griffith, an approved minister, became a mem- ber of Byberry Meeting in 1752. He remained there about three years, and died near Mount Holly in 1798. James Thornton, an approved minister, settled in By- berry in 1752, and became the most distinguished char- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. II3 acter of the place. He was much esteemed at home, and was generally known throughout the country. Mary Comly, wife of James Comly, and sister to old John Paul, was a frequent preacher, but her sermons were generally short. She was not an approved minister. Margaret Porter, a native of Byberry, and an approved minister, sometimes preached from 1762 to 1770. After- ward she removed to Frankford, where she died in 181 5. aged 94 years. John Gilbert, son of Benjamin Gilbert, the Indian cap- tive, commenced to preach in 1769, but was never an acknowledged minister. He left Byberry in 1796, and died in Chester County in 1802. John Davis, who had been a soldier in the Indian wars, was convinced of Friends' principles, and became a mem- ber about T760, but was afterward disowned for getting intoxicated. In 1804 he was reinstated as a member, and again be- came a preacher, but was never recommended. He re- sided in Jenkintown for many years, and was maintained by Abington Meeting. He died in 1819. Mary Gilbert, wife of Joshua Gilbert, preached about 1780. Her communications were generally short. She is spoken of as being "a good kind of a woman, but often low-spirited." She died in 1813. Ann Hampton, an approved minister from Wrights- town, became a member of Byberry in 1792. She had previously visited the meetings of Friends in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the States southward to Carolina. Slie was considered a pious woman, and her ministry gave much satisfaction to the Meeting. She died in 1796. 8 114 THE HISTORY OF Hannah Yarnall appeared in the ministry in 1793, but was not recommended until 1798. She travelled consid- erably, and was much esteemed for sincerity and upright- ness. Ruth Walmsley, second wife of Thomas Walmsley (formerly Ruth Kirk), came to Byberry from Little York in 1794. She was an eminent minister, and died in 1708 Peter Yarnall, an esteemed preacher, came to Byberry in 1797. He was considered one of the best preachers of his day, but lived only one year after his removal, having in at Wm. Tricket, 1863. John Allen, / ^«40-4i. t. M. Griffith, 1864. John Lednurm, "I tQ.t ao J- W- Harkins, 1865-67. John Walsh, r ^^41-42. L. McDowell, 1867-68. Charles Karsner, 1843-44. J- W. Ayers, 1868-69. James Cunningham, 1845. E. C. Griffith, 1869-71. Wra. McCoombs, 1846-47. Wm. Barlow, 1871-72. Wm. Bishop, 1848. O. E. Stogden, 1896-97. J. W. McCaskey, 1849-50. J. M. Wheeler. 1897- Richard M.Greenbank, 1851-52. A J. Collum, 1872-74. C. J. Crouch, 1853-54. J- C. Wood, 1874-75. John Shields, 1855-56. J. J. Timanus, 1875-76- ■ BYEERRY AND MORELAND. Ilpi, Maurice Graves, 1876-77. T. T. Bond, 1884-86. L. B. Hoffman, 1877-78. Ruhis D. Naylor, 1886-87. James Blackledge, 1878-79. Frank E. Graeff, 1887-90. Garbut Reed, 1881-82. A. D. Shields, 1890-93. Henry Frankland, 1882-83. George H. Bickley, Jr., 1893-95.. The first steps toward the erection of Byberry Baptist Chapel were taken in 1870. Under date of October, 1871, appeared the following circular : — "Some of our members are about building a Chapel for Sabbath School and preaching purposes, in Byberry, five miles above us, and within the limits of the City, to supply a long-felt need. Many of the people there, especially the young, who now spend the Sab- bath in pleasure or in toil, favor the enterprise, and would attend religious service if near at hand. There is no church of any De- nomination, except that of the Friends, within two and a-half miles, of the site selected, and no Baptist church nearer than five miles. An aged Baptist lady, upon a bed of suffering, when near deaths said, 'Oh ! I have been praying for you to succeed in buying a lot, and building a chapel in this needy neighborhood !' Thirty brethren of various Baptist churches live in this vicinity. An acre of ground has been bought, paid for, and secured to the Denomination. Some material is already on the ground for build- ing, which will be immediately begun if aid is afforded. The brethren neither want to stop the work, rtor incur debt. Without help their plans cannot be executed. Three thousand dollars will build and furnish the house needed, and such as will give character and success to the undertaking. Twelve hundred dollars have been subscribed toward house and lot. Will you not give something to help these struggling brethren to plant the standard in a new region? Richard B. Cook, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Holmesburg, Penna.'' The following is the receipt taken for the first payment on the lot r "Received, June 23, 1870, of Isaac A. Shives, one hundred and twenty-five dollars, on account of the purchase money for one acre of land situated at the southwest side of the Byberry and Andalusia: Turnpike Road, Byberry Township, Twenty-third Ward, Philadel- phia ; the said one acre, being part of a larger tract now owned and occupied by Charles Bonner : the balance of said purchase money is two hundred and fifty dollars, which said balance is to be paid in six months from the above date, when a proper deed of conveyance is to be made (clear of all incum.brance) for the above mentioned one acre of land, by the said Charles Bonner, to the parties named and described as the parties of the second part in- said deed. Charles W. Bonner." The principal members at this time were the following, with their respective families: William Terry, William Dudley, Sr. ; Charles Dudley. Isaac Shives, John Simon, William Dudley, jr. ; Harry Eck- feldt, William Cross and Wallace Dudlev. The church was not completed until 1874. Although the greater I20 THE HISTORY OF part of the debt was contributed by the members of the "Chapel," 3'et the deeds for the property were made in favor of the Holmes- burg Baptist Church and the "Chapel" became a mission of that church. At first Rev. Richard Cook, the pastor of the Holmesburg Baptist Church, took charge of the services. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Dietz who also preached at Byberry. In 1880, By- berry received a separate minister, in the person of the Rev. Mr. Shuil. In that year dedicatory services were held under the charge of the pastor. The Rev. Mr. Shull was followed by Rev. Mr. Cornwell, Rev. Mr. Trotter, Rev. Mr. Hutchings and Rev. Mr. Ramsey. For a time the work progressed ; but in time seeds of dis- cord were sown, the members withdrew and the meeting for the time being came to a termination. This was in 1888. The house remained closed until the year 1894, when it was re-opened through the patronage of Mr. Charles Barton. The property had, however, in the meantime been sold to Mr. William Terry by the Holmesburg Baptist Church for five hundred dollars to settle some debts owed to him by the church. On re-opening, it was at first rented, hut was afterward purchased from William Terry for twelve hundred dollars. Of this amount, two hundred dollars were immediately paid and the remaining thousand dollars carried as a mortgage. In May, 1900, three hun- dred dollars more were paid off. The first preacher under the new career of the church was Rev. Charles Knox, who took charge in September, 1894. He was fol- lowed in July, 1895, by the Rev. William Devitt ; in September, 1895, by Rev. Herbert Loomas : November, 1896, by Rev. Mahlon Bailey; in July, 1898, by Rev. Mr. Vincent; in July, 1899, by Rev. John Brooks Among the most active workers are the Barton, Bartine, Eckfeldt and Simon families. The society is in a flourishing condition and much interest is manifested, not only by the immediate members, but also by the neighborhood in general, in the success of the undertaking. In regard to the Chapel of St. Andrews in the Fields, the Rev. S. T. Hotchkin gives me the following account : — "The first regular services of the Episcopal Church were held in Somerton, on Sunday, October 3, A. D. 1897, in the stone house at the corner of Byberry Road and the Bustleton Turnpike, then occupied by Mrs. Thomas Jackson and her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Franklin Arnold. Mr. Ervin's new store is now on this site. The ladies moved to a house on the Byberry Road, in the rear of the hotel and there the services were continued, beginning Sunday, April 3, 1898. A service was once held previous to these dates by the Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, rector of the Memorial Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician, Bustleton, in a house occupied by the same family, second door above Taylor's Hall. John C. Lewis, City Forester, who first encouraged the regular service, became a faithful lay-reader, and was authorized by the Vestry of the mother church of St. Luke to collect funds for a chapel. ST. ANDREWS IN THE FIELDS. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 121 The services were held in Taylor's Hall, kindly loaned, until the pretty wooden 'Chapel' was erected. A large lot on Somerton Avenue was donated by Mrs. Emma Reath, of Philadelphia, and on October 26, A. D. 1899, the corner stone of the 'Chapel' was laid by Dean Perry, of the Germantown Convocation, in the absence of Bishop Whitaker. The Revs. W. W. Silvester, Bissell, S. H. Boyer, Edward Ritchie, G. A. Hunt, W. Jordan and the rector, S. F. Hotchkin, were present. On January 14, 1900, the 'Chapel' was opened." SCHOOLS. As we have elsewhere observed, the principal school in the townships previous to the Revolution was at Byberry, under the control of the Preparative Meeting. Throu2:h the efforts made by Friends, this school was gradually improved in its character, and fully kept pace with those in the adjoining townships. In 1776, John Eastburn be- queathed to Byberry Preparative Meeting the residue of his estate, after certain legacies had been paid out, for the purpose of establishing a school fund which would make the school free. This amounted to £113 i^. Sd., or about $500, From the Meeting's record about this time, it would seem that the subject of free schools claimed more or less the attention of Friends, but nothing was done toward establishing such schools prior to 1800. East- burn's donation appears, however, to have made the Meet- ing more alive to its duties, for in 1789 we find that Wat- son Atkinson, an able and efficient teacher, commenced teaching in a new school-house which was built on the Meeting's lot. It was only about twenty feet square, and was soon found to be entirely too small to accommodate the pupils, so that an addition was built to it in 1792. Atkinson was a man of considerable talent, far ahead of those previously engaged in teaching at this place, and 122 THE HISTORY OF did much toward improving the condition of the school by introducing the study of Mensuration, Algebra and Grammar. The principal school-books then in common use were Bennett's Primer, Dilworth's Speller, Rose's Assistant, Fuller's Catechism, the New Testament, and ^sop's Fables, all of which have since passed out of use. In 1794, James Thornton died, and bequeathed £100 to- ward the fund to establish a Friends' free school at By- berry; and John Tow^nsend at his death, in 1800, left £50 to be applied to the same purpose. These two legacies most probably induced Friends to take up the subject again, when the plans were so far matured that a free school, the first in the townships, was commenced in the early part of 1802. It was placed under the charge of John Comly, who was paid $15 for the first month, but the salary was afterwards increased. The number of pupils immediately increased, and the usefulness of the school was thereby much extended. At the close of that year Thomas Walton succeeded as teacher, and received $253.33 ^o^ h^s year's work. In 1805, the salary of the school was increased to $320 per annum, and was con- tinued at about that rate until 181 2, when the arrange- ments were altered, and the school committee received the income from the fund and disbursed the money instead of permitting it to be paid to the teacher, as had formerly been the custom. John Comly taught the school previous to its being a free school, and it is said while he was teach- er the school was much improved, and pupils from a distance came to receive the benefits of his instruction. He added Latin and Greek to the list of studies, and sev- eral of the youth availed themselves of the opportunity BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 125 to acquire a knowledge of these languages. Among others^ who studied these branches, we may mention Alexander Knight and Thomas Walmsley, two Byberry boys, whO' afterwards studied medicine and became quite noted in their profession. In 1795, after some consultation, it was concluded to start a girls' school, and Hannah Thorn- ton opened one at her house, which continued for a few months only. Two years subsequently it was revived^ and Sarah Samms was employed as teacher. It was open- ed in the 'Tittle Meeting-House," but was soon after closed. It is stated that in 1797 a school-house was built near the village of Somerton, and a school has been reg- ularly kept there since that time. Among its teachers we find the names of Thomas Knox, who taught the school for many years, and was at the same time tax collector in Moreland; Charles Dyer, William Cameron and James Bunting. This house was built of stone, and was torn down only a few years since, although it had not been used for school purposes since 1847. The idea of a girls' school was not given up after the failure at the "Meeting-House," and in 1804 John Comly was in-^ duced to open a boarding school for girls at his own house, and, for the accommodation of the neighborhood, took in day scholars. At first it was successful, but for some reason, in 18 10, it was changed to a boys' school. There were several attempts made at starting boarding schools in Byberry after this time, but they met with very •little success, and were all sooner or later discontinued. Among the more prominent of these was one opened by Thomas Samms, Jr., at his residence, in 1816, which w^as continued one year, and one kept by Eber Hoopes for six 124 THE HISTORY OF months, at Byberry Crossroads, in 1813. This commenced with thirty-four pupils, but was discontinued for want of patronage. Although the school at the Meeting-House was started as a free school in 1802, yet it was free only to those who contributed to the "fund," or to such as were in straiten- ed circumstances. Others paid by the quarter, as they had previously done. Prior to 181 3, the usual price was $2 per quarter, but in that year it was raised to $2.25. In 181 1, a few Friends associated for the purpose of establishing a school for girls. They provided a house, which was placed on a lot near the store, and the school went into operation under the supervision of the Associa- tion. This school was very successful, and was continued in the same building until 1827, when the house was sold and the school was afterwards kept in the second story of the school-house, on the Meeting's grounds, until 1838, at which time it was discontinued. The teachers of the school were Ann Barton, Rachel Parry, Hannah Barton, Elizabeth Walton, Lydia McCarty, Ann Webster, Martha Parry, Sarah Iden, Rachel Pasmore, Mary Edmundson, Ann Stevens, Elizabeth Knight, Mary Shourds, Ann Buckman, Ann Churchman, Deborah Shaw, and Mary Beans. While Isaac Carver taught in the old school-house in Byberry, he was somewhat addicted to strong drink, and Benjamin Gilbert went around and persuaded nearly all his pupils from him, and opened an opposition school in the "Little Meeting-House." Carver still continued to keep in the old house, and the pupils attending the two schools fixed upon a line to divide them. When either BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 12$ party crossed this, the other one would attack them and a fight would ensue. The school-house stood on William Walmsley's ground, and it was resolved, as Carver would not close the school, that William Walmsley and Joseph Thornton should, on the Seventh day following, when Carver had no school, tear down the old building, and thus end the trouble, which was accordingly done. On .Second day, Carver, not knowing what had been done, went as usual to his school, and to his surprise found the house in ruins. He then went to Walmsley, and threatened to sue the perpetrator of the outrage; but upon being told who did it, he was satisfied to go no further than to scold ver* violently about the matter. After this Isaac kept a school several years in his own house, where Richard Cripps now lives.^ This he continued until the year of his decease, in 1786. In the year 1826, Henry Pike opened a boarding school on Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, near the village of Knightsville. It was at the house lately owned by James Buckman, and was mainly for small boys. It proved suc- cessful, and was continued until 1844, a period of eighteen years. In 1832, Robert Pitman made proposals for opening a French school in the evenings at Byberry school-house. His class was small, and consisted principally of girls; but as the matter was discouraged by many, it was soon discontinued. Several small schools, taught by females, were opened in different parts of the townships from time to time, but they were usually of short continuance; yet they had their use and their place in the great work of "This property is now owned by John Jenks. 126 THE HISTORY OF education. The subject was daily becoming more import- ant in the minds of the people, and they felt a desire to ^ive their children a better education than could be obtain- ed at any of the common schools. Accordingly, several of the members of Byberry Meeting, after consultation^ concluded to establish a school where the higher branches should be taught. It was established in 1836, and David Griscom engaged as its teacher. Through his wist ad- ministration, it rapidly rose in public estimation; pupils from other vicinities flocked to the school, and its suc- cess seemed settled beyond peradventure. Some, who were at the head of the matter, obtained the idea that it would pay to make a stock company of the whole concern, and to erect proper buildings for a first-class boarding school. These were built the next summer on a portion of James Thornton's land,^ at a cost of about $4,000, and in the spring of 1838, the school w^as opened in the new buildings imder very favorable auspices. But the change in the management of the affairs seems to have been unwise ; and, before the project was fairly under way, David Griscom resigned on account of poor health, ind John Lewis was selected as his successor. The school, however, was a failure; and in 1843 the company sold out the whole concern at public sale to James Thornton for $1,600. For several years after this a private boarding scliool was kept here, but was never very successful, and frequent changes were the result. Prominent among the proprietors were John Lewis and Samuel Smith, the lat- ter of whom remained two or three years, and generally had a good school. It was for both boys and girls, but * Jesse Tomlinson now owns this property. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. \2J was discontinued after he left, and the school-house re- moved to the lot fronting Byberry store, and converted in- to a dwelling-house. A school was started at Mechanicsville, several years since, and was for some years taught by Mary Gilbert, and afterwards by Abi Townsend. About the year 1849 a difficulty arose in regard to the black children attend- ing the public school, and Charles Knight, who was then one of the directors, had the school at Mechanicsville changed into a colored school, to be called the James For- ten School. Abi Townsend was the first teacher of this school; after her were Susan McDowell and Hannah Clayton, the latter of whom is still the teacher. In 1855, this school was changed to one for white children, and the name is now Mechanicsville School. While it was a school for colored children but few of that class patronized it, but the most of them sent to the Friends' school at the meeting-house. For a number of years back no distinc- tion has been made, and all, without regard to color, have been admitted into the public schools. For many years a school was kept at Pleasantville, and Charles Dyer was its last teacher. His salary, in 1846, was only two hun- dred dollars per annum. It was discontinued in 1847, and the pupils have since attended the school at Somerton. The present school-house at the latter place was built in 1847, on the lot within a few yards of the old one. It is only one story high, is called the Patrick Henry School, and will accommodate about seventy pupils. James Bunt- ing, its present teacher, has been there for several years, and was the successor of William Cameron, a Scotchman, who for manv vears was considered the most learned 128 THE history' OF teacher anywhere in that vicinity. He was sometimes fond of indulging in "spirits," and on such occasions would be very amusing to the pupils under his charge. The only school now or for many years kept in Moreland is on the road leading from the Lady Washington Hotel to the Red Lion Hotel, on the Bristol turnpike, a short distance from where it crosses the Bustleton and Somer- ton road.^^ We have not met with any account of its early history, and, after considerable inquiry, have been able to collect only the following meagre sketch. There has been a school kept in this place since 1790. It was for many years a pay school, and was then taught by the following persons, probably in the order in which we give their names: John Watts, Samuel Helverson, Alexander Burke, John Bankson, Howard Trego, George C. Bancroft, Jesse Wright, Charlotte Wright, Martha Walton, J. E. Willis, and James Wheatland. In 1830, Howard Trego was the teacher of this school, and is still spoken of as having been an ecxellent one. The price of tuition then was two dollars per quarter, and in 1835 three cents per day, the stationery and fuel being extra. This school was placed under the charge of the Controllers of the First School Section, about 1837. The old school- house was built of stone, and, by a system of packing, fifty or sixty pupils were frequently found within its walls. It was in a very dilapidated condition for many years pre- vious to 1842, and a new building was badly needed; ac- cordingly, soon after this date, the Controllers erected the present house on the site of the old one. At that time no deed for the property, and no record of any kind, could " See account of the schools of Moreland elsewhere. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. I29 anywhere be found ; the inhabitants of the township there- fore met, and agreed to give up all right, title, etc., to the Controllers forever, on condition of their erecting a new building, which they did at an expense of eight hundred dollars. There were two old weeping willows that ?tood a few feet south of the old school-house, and these were the only shade trees on the ground. In the southern end of the lot was an open spring where the pump is now, and, as the lot was not fenced in from the public road, it afforded water to the road cattle as well as to the children, and was often in such a filthy condition as to be unfit to drink. The woodland back of the school-house then ex- tended up to the lot, and was a favorite place of resort for the pupils, who usually spent most of their noons in rambling through it ; but for many years back this has been inclosed, and the children not permitted within its limits. Since the new school-house was built, William A. Murray, John B. Newell, George W. Fetter, John Murray, Lewis Felton, Joseph C. Martindale, William Cameron, William Burke, William H. Neville, and Joseph Morison, have been its teachers. The school is not so well attended as in former years, and the pupils not so far advanced. A school was kept for several years at Knightsville, on the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike. It was always small, and was at first in a part of the house since owned by Judge Knight. Afterwards it was kept in a small tene- ment nearly opposite to where John B'evan^^ now resides. After the new school-houses were erected in Byberry, in 1847, it was discontinued, and the old house was moved "This property is now owned by Joseph Root. 9 130 THE HISTORY OF back into John Tomlinson's orchard, ^^ where it is now used as a sort of store-house in general. The principal teachers of this school were Susan Albertson, Mary L. Packer, Charles Sayre, and Jane Hillborn. A school was kept for a short time on what is now the Byberry and Andalusia turnpike, in a small house on Emmor Comly's farm. The house is now used as a dwelling. It was called Byberry Primary School, but continued only a few months. Jane Hillborn, I think, was the only teacher. About the year 1842 a boarding- school for girls was commenced by Sarah Comly at her residence, in Byberry. It continued about three years, and was pretty well attended, numbering as its pupils nearly all the larger girls in the neighborhood. In the year 1800 a school-house was built at Powelton, on the Byberry and Moreland line, on a lot given by Silas Wal- ton and Edward Duffield, for school purposes ; and during the same year, a log house was erected thereon. ^^ It was called the Byberry and Moreland School, and has been kept up regularly since that time. In 1854 the Controllers had the lot conveyed to them, and a new stone building was erected near the site of the old one. The lot is beauti- fully situated, having a gentle slope to the road, and an abundance of shade trees. Many of these are maples; hence, when the new building was erected, it was desig- nated as the "Maple Grove School." Soon after this the "This property is now owned by Linford Shoemaker. " Powelton was named in memory of Thomas Powel, who dwelt in the house now occupied by Mr. Lawler. His son was Dr. Powel of Bustleton and his grandson is Dr. William Powel of Bryn Mawr. The origin of this school will be mentioned in an account of Edward Duffield. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 13! old log house was sold at public sale to Isaac White and taken down, and nothing now remains to tell where it stoocj. Pupils from both of the townships attend this school, yet it has always been rather small. We have met with no account of its teachers, and can now recollect only the following: Joseph Naylor, Richard Burke, Samuel Jones, Jacob Sides, Monroe L. Vansant, Francis Tomlin- son, James Houseman, Elwood P. Dudley, John W. Saur- man, and William Wheatland, the latter of whom still imparts wisdom to the rising generation under his care. About the year 1847, Naylor's System of Geography was introduced into the townships, and a class was started at Byberry Hall by Henry Laffert. By this system the geography of the whole world was taught in three weeks, the class chanting the names of the towns, rivers, islands, etc., from large outline maps. Soon after this, James Thornton, Jr., started a class at the "College," and after- wards had another at the Byberry school-house, both of which were well attended. A school of the same kind was afterwards started by Abigail Roberts, and the system was finally introduced into the public schools, but it did not answer well there, and was long since discontinued. In the year 1816, some of the people in the northern part of Byberry became dissatisfied with the school at the meeting-house, and desired to have a school-house built in a place more convenient to them. After considerable noise respecting the establishment of this school, it was finally agreed that one should be erected on land which James Walton and Mardon Wilson were willing to sell for that purpose. This lot was situated on what is now Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, opposite to the woods 132 THE HISTORY OF lately owned by Charles Walmsley.^^ It contained about half an acre of land, for which was paid sixty dollars, and it was always left open to the public road, so that it was a rendezvous for sheep, cows, etc. The house erected thereon during the same year was a small one-story stone building twenty by twenty-five feet. It would ^eat about forty pupils uncomfortably, and cost only one hundred and fifteen dollars. Joseph Comly, John Roberts, James Bonner, Israel Walton, James Walton, Mardon Wilson, and Josiah Walton, were among the prime movers in this matter. The school w^as placed under the care of Byberry Preparative Meeting, and trustees were annually appoint- ed by that body to have charge of it. The yard was a few^ feet higher than the road, and was filled with trees, several of which were walnuts, hence the beautiful and appropriate name of "Walnut Hill," by which the school has ever been known. This spot has been the scene of many joys in times gone by, and many now living can revert with pleasure to their school days at Walnut Hill. In front of the lot was a piece of wood- land containing several acres, belonging to Charles Walmsley, through which the school children rambled at pleasure to pluck the earliest spring flowers that shoot forth almost from beneath the snow, or gather a bouquet of asters and golden rods even after the chill November winds had caused all others to wither and die. To the east, and only a few yards away, a little brook flowed mer- rily along, affording to the boys a fine opportunity for constructing mills, milldams, water- falls, etc., and it was " This property is now owned by Elijah Osmond. The old school has been torn down. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 33 seldom in the summer time that some of these could not be seen along its course. A few fish also sported be- neath its clear surface, and the little boys who were fond of angling often, with a thread and crooked pin, spent an entire noon in the vain attempt to draw a minnow or a redfin from beneath the roots that overhung the stream. Some fine old chestnut trees stood along the meeting- house road by the woods, and these, as well as the or- chard belonging to Watson Comly/^ were frequently visited by those who were fond of chestnuts and apples — and what boys are not? — much to the detriment of the owner. But the palmy days of Walnut Hill are gone, for not a walnut tree now remains on the lot, and the old school-house stands desolate and alone, — a wreck of its former usefulness. The cheerful voices of merry children no more are heard within its walls, for it is now only a receptacle for posts and cordwood; and the greensward on which hundreds of rollicking youths have whiled away many a happy hour, has been turned down by the plow, and all traces of their childlike games, like many of themselves, are gone forever. When last we passed that way the door stood open ; one shutter was gone and an- other much broken ; the fence had been removed from the lot; and there was but little left to remind the traveller that it had ever been a school. There have doubtlessly been several teachers at this place, but we have met with the names of but few of them. These few are Mary W^al- ton, Ethan Wilson, Joseph Wilson, Aaron Ivins, Dubre Knight, Charles Dyer, Catharine Dermot, Howard Tre- go, Randall Myers, Mary Beans, George W. Huntsman, "This property is now owned by Joseph Buckman. 134 THE HISTORY OF Maria Houseman, John Lewis, Albanus Groom, John Reese, and Benjamin Walton. Ethan Wilson was among the first teachers at this school, and did not give entire satisfaction, so the trustees told him "to quit" at the end of the quarter. Ethan, however, thought differently, and refused to go. The trustees reasoned with him, but as he would not do their way they thought it best to do his, and he went when he got ready. Ethan was very fond of arguing, and attended all the debating schools in the vicinity, where many a Demosthenes was forced to "Own his skill, For even though vanquished he could argue still." Charles Dyer taught the school for many years, and was much esteemed as a good teacher; but like most others who follow that profession for a long series of years, he became very cross in his old days, and the mischievous boys often rued their conduct when the flexible hickory fell unsparingly upon their backs. On one occasion the stovepipe fell down, and the old man, while putting it up, unfortunately burned his fingers, when, in order to alleviate the pain, he flogged all the boys who were in the school-room at the time. But with all his harshness he was a kind old soul, and his many good deeds will continue to live after his few errors are forgot- ten. This school was discontinued in 1847, when the new school-houses were finished, and most of the pupils were transferred to the Godfrey School, at Lazy Lane. Some few attempted a private school there under the charge of Benjamin Walton as teacher, but a few months sufficed to close the school, to be opened no more. Some years after that an Act of the Legislature was obtained by Israel BYBERRY AND MORELAND. I35 Walton, John P. Townsend, and others, to sell the prop- erty ; accordingly it was sold, and now belongs to David Dyer. The money arising from this sale, amounting to $200, has been put at interest so as to create a fund for procuring better accommodations for Byberry Library. In 1847, the Controllers of Public Schools concluded, for the better accommodation of the children in Byberry, to build three new school-houses, — one at Somerton, one at Lazy Lane, and one at Cresson's Corner. The one at vSomerton we have already spoken of in a previous para- graph. The other two were opened in 1848, by the direc- tors, Charles Knight, John Tomlinson, and Lewis Rum- ford. The erection of these school-houses was violently opposed by many of the inhabitants, who refused to avail themselves of the opportunity to school their children at the public's expense. The schools, and all connected with them, were denounced in the most bitter terms, and the children who attended were styled pauper children. One man went so far as to declare that he would never permit his children to attend the public schools while he had "an under garment" for his back, yet in a few months his chil- dren were sent to the identical school, and the gentleman, it is presumed, wears a shirt to this day. So odious were those institutions to some, that they forbade their children even to walk across the school-house grounds ; but time, the great assuager of all evils, real and imaginary, and self-interest, the producer of the "second and more sober thought," soon induced them to patronize the new schools, which have since become their pride rather than their dis- grace. ^^ "Previous to 1834, two kinds of schools existed, known as pauper 136 THE HISTORY OF The school at Lazy Lane was built upon a lot pur- chased of Watson Comly, by the city, and was named the Godfrey School, after the inventor of the quadrant, Thomas Godfrey. It is beautifully located; and as the yard was planted with shade trees soon after the erection of the building, there is now plenty of shade to shield the pupils from the burning heat of the summer's sun. The teachers at this school have been James Ivins, Robert Tvins, Edward Ivins, Robert Eastburn, Francis Tomlin- son, Henry Tschudi, J. C. Martindale, Charles A. Sin- ger, E. A. Singer, Robert Barnwell, John B. Iredell, James W. Lear, and Charles Roberts, the latter gentle- man still occupying the situation. The school at Cresson's Corner was built on a lot pur- chased from Lewis Rumford, by the Controllers, and was named the Benjamin Rush vSchool, after Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the most noted of Byberry's citizens. The school was first taught by Jacob Sides, who remained there for several years, and was accounted a good teacher. He is now Principal of the Newton Boys* Grammar School, in West Philadelphia. The next teacher was J. M. Van Arsdalen, who has since studied law, and now is a member of the bar in Bucks County. Since his time the teachers have been Wallace Dudley, George M. Sayre, John W. Saurman, George Gilbert, Charles G. Freed, and Jacob H. Lukens. This school is not so well located as that at Lazy Lane, and the attendance is not so large. and pay schools. The act of 1834 as amended in 1835 and 1836 established the present school system. Its passage excited the greatest opposition throughout the State. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 37 We have now given a short account of all the schools within the townships except the one at the meeting- house, which is known as Byberry School, and which is the most ancient as well as interesting institution of learning in either place. We have already spoken of some of the early teachers of this school, and of some of the difficulties which impeded it in its career of usefulness; but owing to the liberal opinions of the Society of Friends, who have always fostered institutions of learn- ing, its progress has been onward, and generally in ad- vance of all its contemporaries. The old house built in 1792, and which is still remembered by some of the older inhabitants as the one in which they obtained the major part of their early education, remained standing until 1823, when the present building was erected in its place. This house is about twenty feet wide by thirty feet long, two stories high, and is built of stone. The lower floor is now occupied for school purposes, and will seat about fifty pupils, but on the second floor a small room has been partitioned ofl' for the Byberry Library. The remaining part still has the school furniture in it, although no school has been kept here since the year 1847. I"^ the lower room a single row of desks were formerly placed around next to the walls, so that all the pupils sat facing the stones and mortar, and mostly had their backs to the teacher. The benches consisted of a number of stools, without backs, fastened to a plank ten or twelve feet long, and so arranged as to suit the desks. On these the pupils sat from morning till night, leaning over their desks in front, but without any support whatever for their backs. The desks had lids, which could be lifted up when it was 138 THE HISTORY OF desired to examine the contents within ; and the boys and girls might often be seen with the Hds resting on their heads, much to their detriment in the way of study. In the centre of the room, previous to 1840, stood the old wood stove, in which many a cord of oak and hickory had been consumed. It was then the duty of the larger boys to split up enough wood to keep the room warm; and when an arm-load was wanted, one of them was detached for that duty, and soon returned with the required amount. At noon-time the boys and girls took turns in sweeping out the school-room; but neither this nor the splitting of wood was then considered a hardship, although they might occasion a little "grumbling" if enforced ^t the present day. Then, too, we had the good old quill pens, which were regularly mended by the teacher after each lesson in writ- ing, which was generally given morning and afternoon. The copies, too, had to be ruled by him — a task never im- posed upon the teacher now. Soon after this the steel pen was introduced, and at first the price was as high as ten cents for a single pen. The school-room then had but little furniture, and for many years after I commenced going, we had not an outline map, a chart, or a black- board in the school. The first blackboard I ever saw was one made of poplar boards, planed smooth and painted black, and brought to the school in 1845 ^Y J^^^ WiU liard. It answered the purpose as long as I attended the school. On it the teacher, at long intervals, performed an example in arithmetic; but the principal use made of it was to teach the smaller children their tables. The books then in use were Pike's and Rose's Arithme- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 39 tics, the New Testament, the Introduction, English Reader, Sequel, Cowper's Task, the Expositor, Comly's Speller, and Olney's Geography. All of these have long since been discarded for the much better ones now pub- lished. Very little explanation of any kind was then given by the teacher, and the only wonder now is that the' pupils learned anything at all. This school, as well as all others in the townships, remained under the control of Byberry Preparative Meeting until about the year 1847, when the Court of Quarter Sessions appointed Charles Knight and John P. Townsend directors for Byberry; and Jacob Shearer, Jr., and Thomas Reading, for More- land. 1850, John P. Townsend, Charles Walmsley, and Yarnall Walton were directors for Byberry, and Jacob Shearer, Thomas Reading, and Jacob Saurman for More- land. vSoon after this they ceased to be appointed by the Court, and have ever since been elected by the people. The following are the names of the teachers since 1784, as far as we have been able to obtain them : Christopher Smith, Watson Atkinson, John Comly, Thomas Walton, Ethan Comly, Benjamin Moore, Joshua Gilbert, Isaac Moore, Robert Parry, Charles Hampton, Eber Hoopes, Job Lippincott, Nathaniel Petti t, Mardon Wilson, John Maule, John Dickenson, Charles Atherton, Joshua V. Buckman, Joshua Gilbert, Howard L. Trego, Seth Trego, William Wood, Ruth Banes, Joshua Fell, Hannah Fell, Sarah Fell, James Ivins, George A. Newbold, Elliot Smith, Watson C. Martindale, Jane Hillborn, Rebecca Buckman, Elizabeth Comly, Hughes Gourley and Achsah Blakey. I40 THE HISTORY OF John Comly was probably the most prominent among this Hst of teachers, and is said to have improved the school more than any of his predecessors. Joshua V. Buckman is spoken of as having been an excellent teacher. After he left Byberry he was for some years principal of the grammar school at Bristol, and is now a resident of that pi ace. ^"^ I Jo ward L. Trego, who commenced there in 1834, was a teacher much beloved by his pupils, and was held in high esteem by his employers. He was very much interested in the study of natural science, and was one of the founders and most active members of the By- berry Philosophical Society. He was probably one of the best botanists that have ever resided in the townships, and is spoken of by those who frequently enjoyed his com- pany while rambling through the woods and meadows, as having a very familiar acquaintance with the flora of that vicinity. He was fitted as a close observer of Nature's laws, and could detect diiYerences in the forms of plants, and arrange them under their proper orders, with more facility than most persons. This love of flowers he car- ried with him to the school-house, and on each side of the door might be seen a ilower-bed containing many beauti- ful floral specimens, which he tended with his own hand. " Mahlon Carver laments the condition of the school during hisboy- hood. Seth Trego was cruel to his children. Joshua Buckman, while teaching at Bristol, beat a child until it became unconscious. It was carried home and soon died. Joshua Gilbert seems to have been made the butt of a great deal of mischief. The boys of the school had an old army musket cut into sections. From these they made a kind of pistol. The boys fired these so often in the school that they became a nuisance and Joshua Gilbert threatened to throw the first one he found into the stove. The boys, accordingly, charged one to its capacity and allowed Joshua to find it. Upon throwing it into the stove, an explosion occurred which nearly demolished the €tove. EYBERRY AND MORELAND. I4I He was kind to his pupils, and in turn they loved and re- spected him. After leaving the Byberry school he started a boarding-school on the Bristol turnpike, near Andalusia, and after residing there a few years he went out W'est, where he was killed by the fall of his house, during one of the terrible hurricanes that sometimes sweep over those western plains. He was succeeded by Seth Trego, a man of violent temper, and one totally unfit to be an instructor of youth. The large pupils were permitted to do as they pleased, while the smaller ones were abused without mercy. He remained but a few months; yet his conduct toward us was so imkind that I never think of him but with feelings of regret that he ever was my teacher. While here, he, along with some others, sent up a balloon from the lot in front of the store. It went about a mile^ then lodged in some tall trees, from which it was soon after obtained by those who sent it up. It created consid- erable excitement in the neighborhood at the time. The next teacher was William Wood, who lacked the neces- sary nerve to preserve good order. At that time many large boys attended the school ; and it was no uncommon thing, in the winter season, to have upwards of seventy pupils in attendance, and twenty of these over sixteen years of age. On one occasion, one of the large boys got into trouble with the teacher, when a scuffle ensued, and the teacher, aided by one of the other pupils, gave the offender a "sound drubbing." Joshua Fell came about 1840, and continued to be our teacher for upwards of six years. He was a successful teacher, and advanced the pupils more rapidly than any of his predecessors. He kept excellent order, and was generally beloved by his 142 THE HISTORY OF pupils. But few pranks were played while he was there, for "Full well the boding trembler learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning's face;" and full well did we all know that his word was law, and that his dignity was not to be trifled with. After leav- ing- the school, he commenced the mercantile business in Bucks County, where he still resides. In 1848, this school was given up by the Controllers of Philadelphia, and it has since been under the charge of the meeting, and been supported by the school fund. Connected with my school-boy days, at this place, are some reminiscences which I cannot neglect to chronicle liere, for "In my poor mind it is most sweet to muse Upon the days gone by — to act in thought Past seasons o'er, and be again a child." As this school-house is on the meeting's property, the pupils have always been allowed the entire range of the grounds during their hour of recreation, and well have they used it for their enjoyment. In the winter-time and in rainy weather the long rows of sheds offered a most glorious place for playing ball : and during the sum- mer the large yard, so well filled with shade trees, fur- nished to all an opportunity for recreation and amuse- ment such as the pupils of other schools have seldom known. Fronting the house, and only a few yards from the door, stands a large white oak, which has endured the storms of many a winter ; and at each end may still be seen a large willow tree, whose leaves have kept off the rays of the morning and evening sun for upwards of BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 43 half a century. A little to the south is the pump, shaded by a smaller willow, which has grown from a small limb stuck there while I was a school -boy. In the northwest- ern part of the yard stands a noble old oak, under whose wide-spreading arms we have spent many an hour, some- times listening to the sweet songs of the birds in its branches, and at others stretched out upon the green- sward, and with half-closed eyes listlessly musing upon the events of our boyhood life. At the south end of the lot are two large buttonwoods, near which the old school- house formerly stood, and under which is the well, though now covered up, at which our fathers and grandfathers often slaked their thirst.^^ Some of the small trees, up which we often climbed and bent over till their tops touch- ed the earth, are now of such dimensions as would re- quire an hour's hard labor to fell them to the ground. The whole of this yard is covered with grass, and has been the playground for thousands of happy children who knew no sorrow. Well do I recollect those joyous hours, when in company with my playmates we leaped the cat- gallows, hid the handkerchief, played blind man's buff, chased the flitting butterfly, or whipped the humble-bee's nest — hours fraught with pleasure, unmarred by their usually accompanying pains; but those joyful moments, almost the only real happy ones of life, are past and gone, and many who were then participators, now sleep be- neath the little mounds of the silent graveyard, while others are still roaming o'er the wide world to seek a " This old well was near the site of the second meeting-house. 144 THE HISTORY OF fortune or a name. Yet, amid the turmoils and cares of this life, we often revert to the past, for "How sweet to every feeling heart Is the mem'ry of the past; To think of days when love and joy Around our hearts were cast ; To let our thoughts swift take their flight O'er days when life was new, To roam through haunts of pleasant youth, And all those scenes again renew." ASSESSAIENTS, ETC. The names of nearly all the early settlers of the town- ships have been lost, for want of some chronicler to hand them down to future generations ; but a man's necessities will sometimes compel him to do what he would other- wise have but little taste for, and such seems to have been the case with Thomas Knight, who kept a store in By- berry, in 1775. It was customary then as now for men to buy on credit, and Thomas was forced to enter their names on his books, together with the articles which each one purchased. These books contain over one hundred names, which is the earliest list that we have found. Among these we find the Waltons, Townsends, Parrys,. Willards, Greens, Vankirks, Edwardses, Fosters, Rod- mans, Freemans, Woodingtons, Streets, Enochses,. Stateses, Grooms, Walmsleys, Hibbses, Dungans, Vande- grifts, Gilberts, Tomlinsons, Randalls, Comlys, Hallo- wells, and Wilsons. Prior to the Revolution, the population of Byberry was rather sparse, as there were but ninety persons registered as taxable in 1779. At the same time the real estate was assessed at £180,850, and the rate of taxation fixed at EYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 1 45 fifty shillings per £ioo. Money at interest was taxed at three pence per pound. In 1783, the assessment gave 5,618 acres, which was divided into fifty-three farms and lots. There were 122 horses taxed at $37.33 per head, 114 cows at $10 per head, and 230 sheep at ten shillings each. Two tan yards were assessed — one to Giles Knight at $140, and the other to Abel Kelley, at $160.^^ John Jackson and John Britton had each one slave, and Dr. Edwards two, which were taxed at $133.33 P^^ head. The number of slaves appears to have increased subse- quently, for, in 1786, eleven were assessed, seven of them to Dr. Edwards, at $200 each. The people of Byberry, in common with their neigh- bors, felt the good effects of a peaceful country, and bask- ed in the sunshine of prosperity. Business of all kinds was much improved, and the population increased so rap- idly, that in 1814 the number of taxables was 183; in 1830 ij: was 225 ; and in 1863 it was 264. The enumera- tion of the inhabitants of Byberry, made under the direc- tion of Congress, resulted as follows: in 1800, 579 per- sons; in 1810, J^j persons; in 1820, 876 persons; in 1830, 1,0 T 8 persons; in 1840, 1,055 persons; in 1850, 1,130 persons; and in 1860, 1,168 persons. In 1840, there were three white persons over twenty- one years of age who could neither read nor write, and two in the township who were deaf and dumb. In i860, out of the 1,168 inhabitants, 1,101 were white and 67 colored; 114 were of foreign birth, one was blind, three idiotic, and six were paupers. There were but 214 houses, five of which were unoccupied. The live stock consisted " See account of Edward Duffield. 10 146 THE HISTORY OF of 321 horses, 8 mules, 2 oxen, 395 cows, 173 sheep, and 359 swine. Of the crops raised, there were 16,063 bush- els of wheat, 707 of rye, 28,417 of Indian corn, 27,089 of oats, 15,883 of potatoes, 34 of barley, 446 of buck- wheat, 82 of clover seed, and 53 of timothy seed. Of the other products, there were 37,885 pounds of butter, 31 pounds of cheese, 30 gallons of molasses from sorghum, 105 pounds of honey, 5 pounds of bees- wax, and 550 pounds of wool. EVENTS RELATING TO THE WAR OF 1812. In the midst of the peace and prosperity which had smiled on the land since the dark days of the Revolution, the whole country was plunged into a war with Great Britain. Altliough armies were necessary then as now, yet few people in either township enlisted in their coun- try's cause, preferring to remain at their more agreeable vocations at home. People in other sections were equally impatriotic; and the Government found it necessary to make a requisition upon the States for troops. Several in this section were drafted, and ordered to report at head- qqarters, below Philadelphia. Most of these declined go- ing, and were afterward court-martialed, and fined sums varying from twenty to one hundred dollars each. Friends' discipline not only disapproved of wars, but of all connection with them; and members who had been drafted could neither go nor pay fines imposed upon them in lieu of service. Many, therefore, suffered distraints of their property, which were taken off and sold to meet the demand; the friends of others interfered, paid the demands, and had the property returned to the owners. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 47 As nearly all intercourse with other parts of the world Avas interrupted, many articles in daily use became scarce, and the prices high. Sugar was sold at thirty-three cents per pound, coffee at forty cents, and cotton and woolen ^oods at almost fabulous prices. In this state of affairs many expedients were suggested, either through motives of economy, necessity, or patriotism. Rye coffee came into general use, and sugar was almost entirely dispensed with. A short time after the commencement of the war the banks stopped specie payment, and soon all kinds of specie, from a cent upwards, passed out of circulation. In order to supply the want of small change, the banks issued notes of less denomination than one dollar; and private individuals, in many cases, issued small notes, payable in goods or in bank notes. In one instance somje schoolboys set a number of these bills afloat, and they circulated as well as any until their character was discov- ered. The Legislature, at its next session, passed an act against issuing this kind of money, and most of the notes were called in; but considerable loss was sustained by the holders of them. As the whole country was flooded with paper money, things seemed to work well, and prices of real estate as well as other things were. very high. This continued for some years after the war end- ed; so that, in 1816, we learn that wheat sold at $3 per bushel, corn $1.25, and oats 75 cents. But a reaction soon ensued, when depression followed depression, and every article of produce was so reduced in value that em- barrassment and ruin to hundreds was the result. The price of land fell nearly one-half, and wheat sold for seventy-five cents, corn for thirty, and oats for twenty 148 THE HISTORY OF cents per bushel. During the prosperous times, many- persons who had saved a Httle money invested it in prop- erty, paying often less than one-half of the purchase price, and giving a mortgage for the remainder ; and others had in various ways contracted debts, with a fair prospect of being able to meet their engagements. But the re- action was too great for them, and they were forced to see the savings of many years of anxiety and toil swept away to satisfy the demands of urgent creditors, and now, having passed the meridian of life, to commence the world anew, without a single cent to call their own. But few persons in the townships became so reduced as this, yet all felt the effect of the change of times, and were to a greater or less extent sufferers. In order to obviate these difficulties, more attention was paid to the cultiva- tion and improvement of their farms, unnecessary ex- penses were curtailed, and habits of economy became the order of the day, so that, in a few years, they were once more in the old channels, moving along smoothly and prosperously. AGRICULTURE. We have already spoken of some of the more important improvements in agriculture, previous to the close of the Revolution, and now we desire briefly to sketch the his- tory since that period. Byberry and Moreland are agri- cultural districts, the whole surface being divided into farms of from thirty to one hundred acres each, and the population composed almost exclusively of farmers, or such mechanics as are necessary in a farming community. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. I49 Such being the case, a short account of the agricultural changes is deserving of a place in these sketches. In 1780 the Hessian Hy^^ — that scourge of the wheat crop — first made its appearance in the vicinity. Previous to that time the crop had been good, and a failure of it was seldom if ever known; but now the ravages of this destructive insect were very great, whole fields were so injured as not to be worth harvesting, and many persons entertained apprehensions that the wheat crop was not to be depended upon again, and they accordingly stored up the crop on hand for future use. The rye crop entirely escaped from injury, and it was at once substituted for the wheat. It answered a very good purpose for bread, but the pies and cakes were not so palatable, and the peo- ple began to look anxiously for a remedy for the evil which had befallen them. One was soon found in the ap- plication of manure, for when that was judiciously ap- plied an average crop seldom failed, and farmers began to gather all the weeds, straw and rubbish that could be procured, in order to increase the amount of that neces- sary article. Previous to that time, large quantities of buckwheat were raised, but the straw was thought to be useless, and was, therefore, generally burned in the field. In 1786 one farmer had thirty-five acres of it, and in the spring following sold the whole lot to Dr. Edwards for two dollars, and it was thought to be well sold. Sev- eral experiments, in the way of farming, were tried about this time, and for the purpose of comparing notes, an ^ This fly is entirely different from the Russian fly or weavel which made its first appearance about ten years ago and which is supposed to have come from the grain elevator at Port Richmond. 150 THE HISTORY OF agricultural society was started in 1789, and several of the Byberry farmers became members. It is said to have done considerable good, and many of the most valuable changes which took place at this time were owing to ex- periments made by the members of this society. It is still in existence as the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. Before the application of manure became common, the main dependence for hay was upon meadow bottoms, or low grounds, along streams. Water was frequently car- ried in ditches along the sides of the hills, and at proper intervals let out to irrigate the soil, so that these spots always produced heavy crops of hay. No grass-seed was sown, as is now done ; but the white clover, which is na- tive to the soil, and which will always grow when not choked out by other plants, sprung up in the wheat fields, and furnished pasture for the next season. Meadows were then considered very valuable, and were the only parts of the farm which produced hay for winter use. In 1 79 1, plaster of Paris (sulphate of lime) was first intro- duced here as a fertilizer. 21 It was tried on Indian corn, and proved advantageous, but on the meadows it was of little use. A little red clover had previously been culti- vated, and upon this it acted almost like a charm, so that the next step was to procure clover-seed, and the upland fields were soon luxuriant with its growth. Seed was at first very scarce, and was bought and sold by the pound, rating at about fifty cents. Plaster was sold at $1.10 per bushel; but dear as were these articles " Benjamin Franklin introduced the use of land plaster into France and his friend, Edward Duffield, was one of the first to use it in Byberry. BYPERRY AND MORELAND. 1 5 I the application was made, and the harvest exceeded all expectations. The custom of mowing the upland fields soon after this became general, and furnished much bet- ter hay than had been obtained from the meadows. Tim- othy was soon introduced, and, in time, it and clover were mixed together. By this course of farming the amount of produce was greatly increased, and farmers were necessitated to erect hay-houses, or enlarge their barns so as to hold all their crops. The meadows and low bot- toms soon ceased to be considered the most valuable por- tion of the farm, and were either turned into pasture- grounds or permitted to grow up with rushes and other worthless plants. About the same time lime began to be used, and this, together with the plaster, the timothy and the clover, and the increase in the price of all agricultural products, brought wealth into the community, and made them more prosperous than at any former period. As a result of this increase of wealth, there was an improve- ment in the farm buildings, and new houses and barns of an approved style soon began to occupy the places of the old ones. Shortly after this, the cultivation of potatoes, as an article of profit, was commenced. Previously, they had been cultivated only for home consumption. The first varieties raised were the cut-throats, Spanish potatoes and lady-fingers; these were followed by the Thompson po- tatoes, brought from England by Joseph Thompson, in 1793; Scotch grays, blue-skins, fox-eyes and mercers — each succeeding one being an improvement upon its pre- decessor. This last variety was introduced about 1820, and has been very generally cultivated ever since — a period of more than forty years — and they still retain 152 THE HISTORY OF many of their original good qualities. It is said that two hundred bushels per acre were considered an average crop fifty or sixty years ago ; and that, when properly at- tended, they often raised more than less than that amount, and as they were never diseased, the crop was a profitable one. About the same time broom corn began to be raised, and brooms to be manufactured for market. Benjamin Atkinson was the first who made it a regular business, and he was induced to do so about 1790, through the in- fluence of James Simpson, a Quaker preacher, then re- siding in the neighborhood. He found it a profitable business, and, about 1805, he admitted Bezaleel Croas- dale as a partner, and they jointly monopolized the trade until 1 816. The brooms were sold in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Lancaster, and Trenton. The brooms were made round, and with a horn on the neck, confined to its place by a wooden peg, instead of twine as now; the handle was of oak, roughly shaved with a drawing- knife. During the war of 1812, the brooms brought $4.20 per dozen, wholesale. From 1830 to 1840 an average of sixty thousand brooms were annually manufactured in Byberry alone, for the Philadelphia market. In 18 19, Bezaleel Croasdale made some improvements in the man- ner of manufacture, for which he obtained a patent, and carried on the business successfully for several years. Charles B. Comly was the first person in Byberry who made broom handles for sale. For many years the an- nual sales amounted to about 175,000 handles. Of later years, broom corn has not been grown so extensively, and BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 153 the sales now do not amount to over 75,000 per annum.^^ Oats were raised to a very limited extent, and several years elapsed before they were considered a profitable crop. Buckwheat was a staple production, and large quantities were raised by every farmer ; but as the opinion of its impoverishing the soil gained ground, its culture decreased, and comparatively little has been raised dur- ing the last twenty years. There was also much atten- tion paid to the improvement of the breed of horses, and the subject was a favorite topic of conversation among farmers and the young men generally. The old-fashion- ed breed was too small — scarcely any being more than fourteen hands high — and in many other respects was defective ; so that a change was deemed needful. Horses with more bottom, bone and sinew, were wanted ; and in order to secure animals of this kind, men studied all the important marks of a good horse as well as those of a poor one, and a full knowledge of the diseases, etc., to which the animal was subject, was considered necessary. Thomas Simmons, taking advantage of this change in opinion, spent a short time in study, and set himself up as a horse farrier — the first in the townships — and soon obtained a good practice. The result of all this was a larger and better breed of horses, and an improvement in the quality of the stock generally. While the great changes which we have just narrated were going on, farmers had become more deeply interest- ed in their business; and in order to have as much land ^ Broom corn is scarcely grown at all in Byberry now. At one time, it was the custom for nearly every farmer to grow fcroom corn, make brooms and sell them in Philadelphia, along with his regular produce. , 154 THE HISTORY OF under cultivation as possible, swamps and low grounds were reclaimed, and timber cleared off. So much of the latter was sold that many men were much concerned for fear the next generation would not have sufficient wood for fencing and for domestic purposes. To economize, it was proposed to plant the Virginia corn (Crategus cordata) for hedges; and Joseph Comly, in particular, took much pains to obtain a supply of seed and raise the young plants for that purpose. Through his efforts many were induced to plant hedges, and for several years they answered an excellent purpose ; but like every other liv- ing thing, their period of life drew to a close; and while they were in the last stages — which often lasted several years — they were worse than useless, and farmers have generally grubbed them up and set post-and-rail fences in their places. In the year 1816, the Long Island hay- rake was introduced, and found to be a labor-saving im- plement. Some years afterward the revolving rake was brought into notice as a great improvement, and has been in general use since. In 1817, the crop of Indian corn was much injured by the grub; and as this was believed to be the natural consequence of killing off so many of the insectivorous birds, several persons here entered into an agreement to prohibit gunning on their farms, which ar- rangement was enforced for many years, although much opposition was manifested on the part of some of the gun- ners. About the year 1820, a mowing machine was intro- duced into Byberry by Samuel Newbold ; and soon after this James Thornton purchased a similar machine. They were drawn by four horses, but did not work well, and were soon thrown aside. James Thornton cut ten acres BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 155 of grass in one day with his machine. In 1840, another pattern was introduced, much better than the first, but it did not answer, and, Hke its predecessor, was soon laid aside. After this we hear no more of mowing machines until the introduction of Ketchum's patent, in 1850, by Tames Thornton, Jr., since which time they have come into general use, and almost every farm is now supplied with one of them.^^ In the year 1840 was the first ap- pearance of the potato disease here, and many farmers that season lost nearly their whole crop. Since that time they have been more or less affected with the rot ; but as many have of late years been planting them much earlier than formerly was the custom, they have not suffered so much from the disease as they did at first. Thfeshing machines were introduced in 1830, by Edward Duffield. Previous to that time all the threshing had been done by the flail, and the sound of the threshers might be heard in the w^inter resounding from almost every barn. At first the four and five-horse powers were used, but these have generally been laid aside, and their places supplied by the railroad powers, which combine many advantages the others do not possess. The farmers of this section generally have kept pace with their neighbors in intro- ducing all the modern improvements in their vocation; and their farms at the present time are as well stacked with all that is necessary to their business, as are those in any other section of our country; and as a class they probably enjoy as much prosperity and happiness as usual- ly fall to the lot of mortals. "'At the early introduction of the mowing machine there was much opposition which extended to attempts of wrecking them by putting obstructions into the grass. 156 THE HISTORY OF ROADS. We have but little account of the roads, bridges, etc., in Byberry and Moreland, hence our remarks must be lim- ited. It is quite probable that the Bristol turnpike, as it is now called ; the road leading from Byberry Cross-roads to the Red Lion ; what is now the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, and the Bustleton and Somerton turnpike, are the oldest, and were laid out prior to the Revolution. Mention is made of the Bristol turnpike road as early as 1700. The Byberry and Bensalem turnpike road was formerly known as the King's highway, and was the main road leading from Philadelphia to Growden's mansion, now C. W. Taylor's, in Bensalem. The owner of the mansion placed mile-stones along this road, three of which are still standing in Byberry. Jacob Meyers said that when he came to Byberry sixty years ago, the road leading from Byberry Meeting-House to Townsend's Mill passed through the woods near Carver's house. The present road was laid out soon afterwards. Many years since a turnpike was made from the Rocks, near Frankford, to Somerton, a distance of eight miles; but owing to imperfect construction it became very rough, and was shunned by travelers; hence the company was soon dissolved, and the road left in charge of the Super- visors of the townships. This continued until 1842, when the present company was incorporated. They took pos- session of the road and put it in good condition, at a cost of $8,000 per mile, since which time it has been much traveled. The Byberry and Bensalem turnpike was chartered in BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 1 5/ March, 1848, and was open for travel in 1852. It is 5 J^ miles long and cost $11,442. In 1790, the inhabitants of Byberry and Southampton met to decide which part of the county line should be mended by each township, when it was agreed that By- berry should take the upper and Southampton the lower part. In 1793, John Swift, Edward Duffield, William Wal- ton, and Isaac Comly, met in regard to mending the road between Byberry and Moreland, when it was agreed that Byberry should mend the lower and Moreland the upper part. In 1798, supervisors were, for the first time, allowed a compensation for collecting the road-tax. The Byberry and Andalusia turnpike was chartered in 1857. It was covered with gravel to the depth of eight inches. It is about two miles long, and cost $5,000. In 18 1 6, a road was laid out between John and Evan Townsend's land, extending from a road leading to Mink- town to the road from Townsend's Mill to Mechanics- ville.24 " Concerning the question of roads, it may be said that the early- settlers were accustomed to travel in the well-beaten Indian tracks. The Indians had a path running parallel to the river. The early Dutch and Swedes followed these paths which were known as bridle paths. This early bridle path along the Delaware was probably on a line with the Bristol Pike. In 1677 a road was laid out from Chester and Philadelphia on a general line with the Bristol Pike to the Falls at Trenton. It was known as the King's Road or Path. This road was never, however, carefully laid out until after the arrival of Penn. On November 19, 1686, the City Councils ordered a road laid out from Broad Street in Philadelphia to the Falls of Trenton. Instead, however, of laying it out as ordered, it com- menced nearer the river and followed the general direction of Frank- ford Avenue and Bristol Pike to the Falls. Work on the road pro 158 THE HISTORY OF POST-OFFICES, For a long time after the first settlement of the town- ships, the nearest post-office was at Philadelphia ; but as the villages of Frankford, Bustleton, and Holmesburg grew up into importance, post-offices were established there for their convenience, and the people of Byberry and Moreland resorted to them for the little business they had through that channel. As Byberry became more densely populated and the circulation of newspapers began to increase, the people felt the want of a more convenient post-office, and, in 1826, one was established at Byberry Cross-roads, with a weekly mail.^^ This answered for a short time: but, in 1832, the office was removed to the store near the meeting-house, and a daily mail arrived from Andalusia. In 1834, this was changed to a tri-week- ly mail, and so continued until within a few years, since which they have had a daily communication by mail with Philadelphia. In the year 1858 the post-office was re- moved to Mechanicsville ; but as this was very inconveni- ent to the citizens, it was soon removed to the tailor shop near the meeting-house, and Jackson Brown appointed postmaster. Here it gave general satisfaction, and was continued until 1862, when it was again taken to the gressed slowly, for in the year 1700 it was still obstructed by stumps and logs. In 1693 the road from the Falls of Trenton through Langhorne and Bustleton to Frankford was laid out. This road was at one time an important road between Philadelphia and Trenton. " About this time, the mail was robbed by Porter, who dwelt for a time at Langhorne. He murdered the driver but was captured, tried and hanged. His skeleton is now in use in the University ■of Pennsylvania. After this murder a United States marine was placed on the mail coaches. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 1 59 store near by, where it still remains. The office has at different times been under the care of Oliver Parry, Cyrus Pierce, Jackson Brown, William Penrose, and Ross M. Knight.^^ It is now under the charge of the latter gentle- man. The mail route was formerly by way of Bustleton and Somerton, and was for many years. carried by Silas Vanarsdalen. Since that time the mail-carriers for By- iDerry have been Joseph Fell, Nathan Webster, Ja^ckson Brown, Charles B. Comly, Peter States, Isaac Knight, and Theodore Kawk. It is now brought up by the Phila- delphia and Trenton Railroad Company to Andalusia, and carried to Byberry by the last-named person. The amount of mail-matter to this office has been gradually increasing since its first establishment, and for the quarter ending June 30, 1863, was as follows: Letters received, 1,496; sent, 1,095 ' newspapers received, 4,019 ; sent, 40. A daily mail to Somerton was established many years since, and has proved a great blessing to the people in that vicin- ity. It reaches the city by way of Bustleton, and is car- ried by George Birkman.^''^ For many years the postmas- ter was Benjamin Comly; but it is now under the charge of William Hoot. The village was formerly called Smith- field ; but when the post-office was established it was nam- ed Somerton, in honor of Judge Sommer, who resided near by. '^The Byberry store has since been kept by Wallace Dudley, Charles Gilbert, John Samms, George Fries, Mrs. Apple, William Vandergrift, George Woodel and William Hoffman. " The mail now reaches the village by way of the railroad which ivas constructed in the year 1876. l6o THE HISTORY OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. Byberry and Moreland have always maintained their own poor. Previous to 1752 this was done entirely by the members of Byberry Monthly Meeting, but since that time each township has taken care of all except the poor belonging to the Society of Friends. At no time since the above date have the people been entirely free from persons depending upon them for support; some for a short time only, while others were for a long term of years. Among the latter were a husband and wife, both of whom were maintained fifteen years; Timothy Hibbs, an idiot, twenty-six years ; one aged widow, thirteen, and another twenty-five years ; one spinster, Hannah Howard, thirty-three 3^ears: Rebecca Adams, who died in 1818/ at the advanced age of ninety years, for several years; and Mary, familiarly known as "Old Molly Jerden," near- ly sixty years. These were all in Byberry. In Moreland, there was Susan Quee,* for about fifty years; "Black Hannah," for several years, who died about 1857, aged nearly one hundred. The first Overseer of the Poor in Byberry was John Worthington, elected in 1752, to serve one year. In 1753, Job Walton and Richard Walton were chosen to perform the duties of that thankless but neces- sary office. Since that time two persons have annually been elected in each township, and a regular account of their expenditures, etc., in Byberry, has been preserved in the township book. The accounts in Moreland we have not been able to obtain. From these books we find that from 1 76 1 to 1809 the average annual amount of poor-tax * I believe still living. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. l6l was $T43 — the least being in 1776, when it was only $10. Since 1809 the largest amount spent in any one year was in 1 85 1, when $998.50 were required. In i860, six per- sons only were supported by the townships. This account does not include the poor belonging to the Society of Friends; for we find the Meeting has paid $100 per an- num, on an average, for the support of its poor since 1761. When Lower Dublin created their poor-house many per- sons wanted Byberry and Moreland to join with tnem; but the latter township preferred to maintain their own poor by boarding them in the neighborhood. It is the duty of the Overseers to provide the necessaries of life to all who are unable to procure them, and not let them suf- fer ; and to lay and collect an annual tax to pay all debts thus contracted. It is probable the poor are better and more comfortably provided for than where poor-houses have been erected in which to give them quarters. BYBERRY LIBRARY. . After peace was declared between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and wars and rumors of wars had died away, the people in the vicinity of Byberry began to turn their minds more and more to educational mat- ters. The schools were much improved, and a taste for general reading created in the community. Books of all kinds were expensive, and few persons at that time pos- sessed much of a library. In order to make up this defici- ency, and to furnish each other with reading matter, it was proposed by John Comly, Ezra Townsend, Thomas Townsend, Benjamin Walmsley, Asa Walmsley, and II l62 THE HISTORY OF James Walton, to establish a circulating library. After considerable discussion, and not a little opposition on the part of some of the women Friends, the constitution of the Byberry Library Company was adopted, 12th mo., 29, 1794. A clause in the constitution "prohibited the intro- duction of all atheistical or deistical works, all novels, plays or romances, and every other book that has an im- moral tendency, or that is prejudicial to the Christian re- ligion.2* For this reason the Library now contains a better se- lection of useful voulmes than is usually found in such places. The constitution was signed by twenty-three per- sons, some of whom resided in Moreland and Bensalem, and each paid in the sum of $4, the most of which was used in purchasing books ; so that when the Library was opened it contained about seventy volumes, exclusive of several loaned by members. It was first placed at the house of Ezra Townsend; but in 1798 was removed to Byberry School-house, where it remained until 18 16. It was then taken to Gilbert's store, while the Library Com- pany were fitting up a suitable room for it in the school- house, whither it was removed in 18 18. When the new school-house was built, in 1823, a room was finished ex- pressly for the Library, and it has remained there ever since. The books are arranged according to their size, whether quarto, octavo, or duodecimo, and members are permitted to keep them out from one to eight weeks, varying with " The Hatborough Library originated in 1755 in much the sameway that the Byberry Library and the Philadelphia Library started, it being the second oldest in the State. EYEERRY AND MORELAND. 1 63 the size and contents of the volume. Members have ac- cess to the Library at all times ; but they can take out only two volumes at a time, and these must be returned before others can be had. The members pay an annual tax, usual- ly about $1 each, to defray the expenses of the Company, and procure new books. Those owning shares in the Library now number about forty ; and the annual tax, to- gether with the fines received for keeping books out be- yond their time, amounts to over $50, so that probably about thirty volumes are annually added to the collection. This library is one of the best to be found outside of the city, and now contains over two thousand volumes, w^hich treat principally of religious, historical, or scientific subjects, and affords an excellent opportunity for all to acquire much valuable and useful information. The price of the stock has been raised to $6 per share, and new shares are from time to time created, to meet the wants of the people. This library has been of great value to the neighbor- hood, and much of the information diffused among the- citizens of the place is attributable to this source. Many of the young people avail themselves of this opportunity for reading; and many of them, along with the writer of this, have had occasion to feel thankful to those liberal-minded persons who originated and bequeathed to us this invaluable legacy.^^ *The library is still in the upper room of the school erected in 1823. It now contains about 3,000 volumes, many of which are rare. The library is not utilized as once it was. Library stock will now sell for about ten dollars. 164 THE HISTORY OF BURIAL-PLACES. The proper interment of the dead has always been felt to be a solemn duty devolving upon every Christian, and places suitable for the deposit of the bodies of those who had served out their earthly pilgrimage early claimed the attention of the people, and lots were set apart by our forefathers for this purpose. Among the first of these was a lot of one acre, which was bequeathed, May 30th, 1786, to Byberry township, by John Hart, grandson of the ancient John Hart, as a burial-place for the poor of the vicinity forever. This is still the township burial- ground, in which, at long intervals, some unfortunate mortal, whose life had probably been imbittered by the strange vicissitudes of fortune is laid in the narrow grave, without so much as a friend to shed a sympathizing tear. It is located in the lower end of the township, near the Red Lion Hotel, and from the number of persons annu- ally placed therein, will serve the township as a burial- place for at least another century. This might indeed be made a beautiful resting-place for the dead, but for many years there has been little care taken of it, and brambles, weeds, and small cedars cover the ground, giving it a forlorn and repulsive appearance, strangely contrasting with the far more attractive spots of the kind around Philadelphia. The last burial I re- collect at this yard was that of a friendless old man who was taken sick near Knightsville, in Moreland, and found his way to a neighboring barn, where he soon afterwards died. No one knew him; and his name, as well as his history, has remained unknown to us to the present time. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 1 65 A single one-horse market wagon composed the proces- sion, and two men beside the driver, were all that follow- ed the mortal remains of the deceased stranger to this "Potter's Field,"' where it has since reposed undisturbed by the bickering world around it. As I surveyed this procession I thought how sad is the life of the pauper, for he is grudgingly cared for while living, and when about to be buried, "They rattle his bones over the stones, Because he's a pauper whom nobody owns." The graveyard for colored persons, previously men- tioned as being situated in the eastern part of BVberry, is still kept for that purpose. Some years since a por- tion of this yard was plowed up, and most of the "little mounds" were levelled with the earth around, so that the exact spot where many of this race were buried can no longer be seen. What a pity that man should ever be willing to disturb the resting-places of the dead in order to add to his coffers! Of late years more care has been taken of this place, and it is now kept in good order by Byberry Meeting. ^^ There was, also, a burying-place for slaves on Wil- liam Tillyer's farm, in Moreland, which was continued until within the last twenty years. The lane leading to the dwelling-house then went in opposite to the school- house, and made a sharp turn about two hundred yards ^"This graveyard is somewhat neglected, it being covered with briars and shrubbery. " This graveyard was converted into farm land about twenty-five years ago, all the mounds being levelled with the ground. 1 66 THE HISTORY OF from the road to get to the house. ^^ At this bend the graveyard was located. It was a small triangular lot, and had been used as a burial-place for many years. Jacob Saurman informs me that it had a Swede fence around it when first recollected by him, but that in later times it was left open, and as it was overgrown with grass, weeds, and briers, the cattle of the farm were permitted to roam over it at pleasure. He remembers that two colored per- sons were buried there, one of them while he was Over- seer of the Poor in Moreland. About a dozen graves were then visible, and the place remained in this condition until the death of William Tillyer, when the route of the old lane was changed, and the "old graveyard'^ was destroy- ed, so that not a vestige of it now remains to mark the last resting-place of the ancient dead. Connected with its history is the following: On one occasion a black dog in the neighborhood died, and the children attending Tillyer's school, on account of the color of the animal, obtained the body and made preparation for its burial in that yard. Twelve o'clock (noon) was the appointed hour; and punctually at that time the pupils, young and old, met, and forming themselves into a procession, sol- emnly followed the remains, borne by two pall-bearers and accompanied by a chaplain, to their "final resting- place," where they were decently interred and a eulogy pronounced on the good qualities of faithful old Tray, after which they returned to their usual pastimes at the school. "An old lady of the Lukens family informs me that when the field was first plowed, the horses' feet sank into some of the graves. A slight depression opposite the school marks the place where the old road entered. f BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 167 The ''old graveyard" belonging to Byberry Meeting, and of which we have frequently made mention in this history, contains one acre of ground, and is situated in front of the meeting-house, about fifty yards distant. It is surrounded by a stone wall about four feet high, and has two entrances on the eastern side. It has been full for many years, and the last of those buried there were Margery Knight, ist mo. 2y, 1841, aged eighty-three years, and Elizabeth Townsend, 7th mo. 7, 1841, aged seventy-five years. Among those first interred were two Indian squaws, in 1692, and whose graves are under the large cedar tree* near the centre of the yard, where they have slept for nearly two centuries. A graveyard should always be the most inviting and lovely spot on earth, for as we all love the beautiful while living, it is a pleasing thought that when our journey through life is over, we shall be laid amid the pleasant scenes we love so well. It is said of Alexander Wilson, that his last wish was to be "laid beneath a shady tree where the songsters that charmed him while living might come and sing around his tomb !" And poor John Fitch, the great American mechanic and inventor of the steam- boat, prayed that he might be buried on the banks of the Ohio River, so that he would be near the many steamboats which his hopeful spirit led him to believe would one day glide up and down that stream ! A cemetery should, there- fore, be the type of our thoughts and our religion, and in this respect the old graveyard, with its quiet air and its ab- . * This tree was planted by Joseph Gilbert at the head of his wife's grave, about 1750. Isaac Comly, who died in 1823, aged fourscore years, recollected seeing him come there to water it. Isaac at that time was a small boy going to school. 1 68 THE HISTORY OF sence of gorgeous tombs and other memorials of the dead, is highly characteristic of the people who now slumber within its walls. In ancient times they rarely marked the spots where their families were buried, but within a few years many have been careful to have headstones placed at the graves of their families and friends, and in this respect the new graveyard differs from the old one. The absence of these little memorials in the latter makes it far less interesting to the present generation who may wish to spend an hour "Where the rude forefathers of our township sleep." Very few stones, indeed, are found in the yard, and only about fifteen of them have dates to tell us when those who lie beneath paid the debt of nature. Two of these have the names in full, while all the rest have the initials only. But one marble stone is in the yard, and that is less than one foot high. After some difficulty in deciphering the initials and figures on the stones — for they were cov- ered with moss and lichens — and in making reference to some notes, we learned that the following persons had been interred there previous to the beginning of the pres- ent century : Jonathan Knight, son of the first Giles and his wife Jane, in 1745; Thomas Knight, brother to Jona- than, 1774; Joseph Knight, another brother, 1762, aged eighty-two years, and his wife Abigail, 1764, at same age; Giles Knight, son of Joseph, 1799, and his wife Elizabeth, 1766; and Samuel Scott, 1761. But little care is taken of this yard, and tall briers and rank grass are permitted to grow and cover the whole surface so as nearly to obliterate the little mounds and BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 69 hollows beneath. Most of the graves have sunk so that it is difficult to tell where they are, and the wild Indian or wood-grass has become so firmly rooted that not a single wild flower can unfold its beautiful petals there. In one corner of the yard a family of elders have taken quiet possession, to the exclusion of everything else. Scat- tered here and there over the whole surface are a few small cedars, and in the centre stands a large tree of the same species, whose trunk has been scarred by the thun- derbolts of heaven, and through whose top the wintry winds moan sadly: "For it is ever sad when others' grief is fled, And still remains the constant mourner of the dead." No walks have ever been laid out in this yard, and the visitor to this full-tenanted resting-place of the long- since dead must make his way as best he can among the little mounds. This yard contains nearly all of our early ancestors, and it has been estimated that not less than four thousand sleep beneath its sod. When it was nearly filled, another lot of about one acre, a little to the south of the meeting-house, was purchased from the property now owned by Robert Purvis. ^^ The first per- sons buried there were in February, 1832, scarcely one- third of a century ago, yet it is now more than half filled, and contains not less than two thousand graves. Margery Walmsley was the first one buried there, and she was followed in a few days by Joseph Carver. It was for several years the only burial-place in either township, and was used by nearly the whole neighborhood, whether Friends or not. It is beautifully situated, and forms an '^This lot is now owned by John Dilworth. 170 THE HISTORY OF appropriate resting-place for departed friends; and around it are a number of trees, "Which make a lone and silent shade, Where none but reverent footsteps tread; Where many friends are calmly laid To sleep the slumbers of the dead. "Oh! sadly sighs the evening breeze, As it sweeps o'er the lonely place, And sadly droop the murm'ring trees As tho' they mourned the slumb'ring race." The sextons at Byberry graveyard have been Benjamin Atkinson, 1793 to 1796; T. Simmons, 1796 to 1797; Griffith Street, 1797 to 18 19, then removed to Ohio; Watson Atkinson, for about one year ; James Jenks, from 1820 to 1850; and WilHam Forrest since that time. After the Methodists became more numerous and built their church in Somerton, the question of having a churchyard attached occupied the attention of the people ; but after some years spent in considering the matter, it was finally agreed to form an association, and to purchase ten acres of land near the village for a cemetery. A very appropriate spot was selected to the east of the village, and the grounds were neatly graded, the walks laid out, and it fitted up for that purpose. Many of those in the vicinity have purchased lots there, and a large number have already been buried in the place. The ground is called the William Penn Cemetery, and was opened in 1855. The first interment there was Thomas Dyer's child 1 1 mo., 7, of that year, since which time it has been growing more and more in favor with the people. It is SOMERTON HILLS CEMETERY. CRYPT. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. I/t situated just out of the village, and the serenity and quiet beauty of the spot "Affords a calm for those who weep, A rest to weary pilgrims given, Where they may softly lie and sweetly sleep Beneath the vault of Heaven." PHILOSOPHICAiL SOCIETY. The minds of many of the Byberry people seem to have taken quite a literary and scientific turn in the early part of the nineteenth century. They had been educated by such men as Watson Atkinson and John Comly, who had taken great pains to impress their minds with a proper estimate of the value of scientific and literary knowledge to all persons, whatever their walk in life might be. They comprehended the broad bearing of the sciences upon their social callings, and had made good use of the valuable but small library just started in their midst, during the long winter evenings, when, released from their daily^ toils, they gathered round the social board; but this did not satisfy them, and some of the more enthusiastic con- ceived the idea of forming a society having for its object the diffusion of scientific knowledge. While this matter was being discussed, Joshua Hoopes, of West Chester,, through the invitation of some persons in the neighbor- hood, proposed giving a course of twelve lectures on Astronomy. A class of thirty members were soon ob- tained at two dollars each, and the lectures were delivered in Byberry School-house. At the close of these lectures Dr. Isaac Comly proposed ''that an association be formed for the purpose of delivering lectures on scientific sub- 172 THE HISTORY OF jects." After some further conference on the matter, a constitution was adopted Tenth month 26, 1829, the pre- amble of which states that the "Society is for the acquisi- tion and promotion of scientific knowledge," and is to be designated "The Byberry Philosophical Society." The meetings were held weekly during the winter season, when some one of the members usually delivered a lec- ture to the Society. The first course was upon Natural Philosophy, and it appears to have been very popular, for the meetings were regularly attended by many who were not members. These proceedings continued until Twelfth month, 1832, when the constitution was so altered that the Society could form a cabinet of natural curiosities, and the work of collection commenced at once. The cab- inet was at first placed in a room belonging to Isaac Comly, where it remained until 1834. It was then re- moved to James Thornton's house, and afterwards to a school-house in the neighborhood, where it remained until 1840, when the Society erected a convenient building for it near the Meeting-house, and removed it thereto. Lectures have at different times been delivered in the Society's room, and when these were not going on, con- versational meetings were frequently held by the mem- bers. From 1854 to i860, popular lectures were deliv- ered at "Byberry Hall," under the auspices of the Society, and were well attended by members and others. Considerable interest was manifested when the cabinet was first started, and everything of interest that could be found was collected and neatly labelled, then placed in the collection. Great pains were taken to procure and stuff all the birds found in the vicinity; many curiosities were BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 1 73 also obtained from various sources; and the science of mineralogy, in particular, received the close attention of many of the members, so that in a short time the collec- tion became quite valuable, and annual contributions were rendering it still more so. But as the originators of it either left the neighborhood or were removed by death, a lukewarmness sprung up, and as the younger members care but little about the matter, nothing has been added to the museum for several years. The specimens have been left uncared for until tnany of them are entirely spoiled ; and unless some of the young members give it a little attention, the whole collection will soon be worth- less. The specimens number about two thousand, and they should be the pride of every one who is in the least interested in the works of nature. ^^ ADELPHIAN SOCIETY. In the latter part of 1799, a number of the younger portion of the community met and formed a literary society, to be called "The Adelphian Society," the object of which was the "promotion of useful knowledge among the members." Orations were frequently delivered by the members, and discussions upon various subjects often engaged the attention of the association. Much interest was manifested in it, particularly by the young, and many of the written essays read at these meetings have since been published, and reflect no discredit on their authors. "This collection is now kept in the library room in the school ing. Although a valuable collection, its value is much impaired through lack of care. Of late years but few specimens have been added to the collection. 174 THE HISTORY OF After a time the interest at first manifested began to wane, and at the end of two years it was discontinued, yet it was undoubtedly productive of much good to those who took a part in its proceedings. DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. Although Byberry and Moreland have but a Hmited territorial area, yet they have become somewhat renowned in history for having been the birth-place and residence of some of our most distinguished men. In early times, Benjamin Gilbert, a polemic writer of considerable note, resided here. Since then William Cooper, afterwards a member of Congress, and father of the distinguished nov- elist, J. Fennimore Cooper ; Dr. Enoch Edwards, an offi- cer in the army of the Revolution, and subsequently a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia ; and Dr. Walmsley, a prominent •medical and scientific man — ^have all dwelt within the limits of the township. The gallant Decatur, and his father, Captain Decatur, with his family, were residents for several years previous to 1798, when President Adams called them into the service of our country. Byberry can also boast of having given birth to Dr. Benjamin Rush and his brother, the Hon. Judge Rush, both of whom are too well known to need any encomium here. The house in which they were born is still standing on the farm now owned by Reuben Parry. They were both much attached to their place of nativity, and frequently visited it during the latter part of their lives. Besides these was* Edward Duffield, of Moreland, who was noted for the high posi- tion he held among scientific men. BYBERRY AND MORE^AND. 1 75 AUTHORS. Several of the people of this district have at different times given their thoughts to the world in the form of lectures, essays, addresses, poetical effusions, and elabo- rate works upon various subjects. It is not our intention to narrate all these; but we shall mention only a few of the most prominent ones. Some of these works still sur- vive their authors, while others have passed into oblivion, along with the ephemeral literature of their day. Of the merits of these productions we are unable to speak, having met with but few of them; but many are highly spoken of by contemporary writers, and others have stood the test of time, and are still acknowledged as among the best works on the subjects of which they treat. The first of these, of which we have any account, was John Hart, who, in conjunction with Thomas Budd, pub- lished an "Essay on the Subject of Oaths," in 1692. Benjamin Gilbert published "Truth Defended," 1748; *'Discourses on Perfection," 1769; and "Further Dis- courses on Sin, Election, Reprobation and Baptism," 1770. Dr. Edwards published "A Charge to the Grand Jury," and "An Essay on Agriculture," in the "American Museum," 1788. Edward Duffield, "Some Observations on the Applica- tion of Plaster of Paris," 1797. James Thornton, preacher, left a memorandum of his Life and Travels, which was published in "Friends' Mis- cellany." Peter Yarnall, M. D., left a "Journal of his Life and 176 THE HISTORY OF Ministry," portions of which have been published in "Friends' Miscellany." John Townsend published an "Essay on Education," and "Some Observations on the Ministry," in the same work. Grace Townsend wrote several poetical essays which evinced considerable talent, but were not published. Dr. Walmsley published "An Essay on the Absorption of Medicine," 1803, and, subsequently, several other medical papers in "Barton's Journal." William M. Walmsley, "An Account of the Wheat Moth," in "Barton's Journal," 1804. William Walton, the original narrative of "The Cap- tivity and Sufferings of the Gilbert Family." Joshua Gilbert, several excellent essays, signed a "County Friend," in the "Advocate of Truth," about 1827. Warder Cresson, "An Address to the Select Members of Abington Quarterly Meeting," 1827; "Babylon the Great is Falling," 1830; "Jerusalem, the Centre and Joy of the Whole Earth," 1844. John Comly, one of the most gifted of Byberry authors, published, among other things, English Grammar, 1803; Spelling Book, 1806; Primer, 1807; Sermons, 1827; Epistle to Friends, 1832; Spelling and Reading Book, 1842; Book of Useful Knowledge, 1844; and, with his brother Isaac, edited and published "Friends' Miscel- lany," in monthly numbers, twelve volumes, from 1831 to 1839. Isaac Comly published several "Sketches of Byberry;" also, "Easy Lessons for Juvenile Readers," 1807; "Phila- EYBERRY AND MORELAND. 1 7/ delphia Primer," 1808; and "A New Assistant," 1809.^^ DISEASES. The early part of the year 1793 was somewhat remark- able on account of the prevalence of typhus fever in both townships. It was a dangerous form of the disease, and many who were attacked died. In the latter part of the same summer the yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia, and many persons removed to the country to remain until the danger had passed. There was scarcely a house in either township which had not some boarders from the city.^^ One of these died of the fever at John Gilbert's, and was buried on his farm without even so much as a coffin. The neighborhood was a second time visited by the typhus fever, in the summer of 181 3, and many per- sons were afflicted with the disease; but from the skilful treatment pursued by Dr. Worthington, of Moreland, then the principal physician, very few died. A danger- ous form of dysentery prevailed in 1819 and 1820, and "Dr. Martindale, the author of this work, wrote the following: A History of the United States ; A Series of Spelling Books ; First Lessons in Natural Philosophy and Anatomy ; Physiology and Hygi- ene, and also in manuscript a Catalogue of the Birds, Animals and Plants of the Locality. "In 1793, and again in 1798, yellow fever made ravages in Phila- delphia. In the All Saints' Church yard are buried in one grave Elizabeth Westcott and Lucy Breck, two friends who are supposed to have died of the disease in 1798. John Carver mentions the story of a Byberry man who visited Philadelphia during this epidemic and became intoxicated. He was, while lying in the streets, picked up for dead by a passing funeral cart and thrown into the pit on the outskirts of the city. On becoming sober again, he scrambled out from the heap of dead bodies and returned to Byberry. Strange to say, he never con- tracted the disease. John Carver, in telling the story, would always refuse to give the name, saying that that had better be forgotten. 12 178 THE HISTORY OF several persons died, one of whom, Ezra Townsend, was a valuable citizen, and his loss was much felt in the com- munity. In 1849, t^^ cholera broke out and caused great consternation among the people. Many were attacked by it, and a few died. Rachel, daughter of James Knight, was attacked while in Byberry Meeting, July 15th, and could not be removed to her home. She died there, July 20th, and was interred in the new graveyard. During that summer nine cases of cholera occurred in Somerton, four of which proved fatal. Intermittent and bilious fevers were common many years ago, but since the forests have been cleared off, the lowlands drained, and the soil generally cultivated, these diseases have nearly disappeared. The townships, how- ever, have ahvays been remarkably healthy, and the inhab- itants have enjoyed as long and as happy lives as the people in any other section of the country. MILLS. At the present time there are six mills within the limits of Byberry township, two of which have saw-mills attached. Five of these mills are located on the Poques- sing Creek, and one near the centre of the township, on the Byberry Creek. This latter mill is now known as Comly's Mill, and is owned by Charles B. Comly, one of the most enterprising citizens of Byberry.^^ The first mill at this place was built by Benjamin Gilbert, in 1759. It was a small structure, and probably remained standing until it was purchased by Robert Phillips, in 1837. Pre- " This mill is now owned by Thomas Husband, Jr. EYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 1/9 vious to this time it had been in the possession of Ephraim Howell and Amos Killborn. In 1838, Robert Phillips erected the present building. It is a convenient mill, and "has an eighteen-foot overshot wheel, with four run of stones. In the year 1846 this property was again sold, and John Comly, Sr., became its owner. In 1850, at his death, it passed into the hands of his son, Charles B. Comly. The stream upon which it is located is rather small, and during the dry weather of summer does not furnish sufficient power to run the mill. In order to obvi- ate this difficulty, in the summer of 1855 ^" addition was built to the mill, and a steam engine of twenty horse- power placed therein, and so arranged as to be used when there was a scarcity of water. Since that time the busi- ness at this mill has been much increased, and now does more work than any other mill in the township. In 1857 many of the farmers had begun to raise sugar-cane (sor- ghum accharatum), and in order to accommodate them wooden rollers for crushing the cane were attached to this Tnill. After the cane was crushed the owners took the juice home, and boiled it down in their kitchens ; but the result was so unfavorable that they became discouraged, and no more was raised for several years. In the spring of 1863, John Comly, who now has charge of the mill, became interested in this matter, and distributed sugar- cane seed to the farmers in the vicinity, at the same time offering to put up suitable machinery for manufacturing the syrup, etc. This machiner}^ consisted of a heavy iron crusher, with three rollers, and a furnace over which is a copper evaporator twelve feet long and four feet wide. In the autumn of that year these works were put in opera- l8o THE HISTORY OF tion, and eight hundred gallons of syrup and fifty pounds of crystallized sugar were made that season. This was the first sugar made from sugar-cane in either township. In 1864 the amount of syrup made at this place was 5500 gallons. The steam engine at this place is the only one m use in the townships, and judging from appearances it has been a profitable investment. The mill in the northern part of Byberry, on the Po- quessing Creek, known as Carter's Mill, was built by James Carter, Esq., in 1838. It is run entirely by the stream on which it is located, and is now occupied by Elmer Carter.^^ A saw-mill is attached to it ; and at both it and the flour-mill considerable business is done. In 1864, machinery for crushing sugar-cane and making syrup was obtained, and is now in successful operation. The next mill below this, on the same stream, is known as Townsend's Mill. From information obtained through Mahlon Carver, a descendant of the first John Carver, and much interested in the ancient affairs of the township, the first mill at this place was built by Lawrence Growden. It was on the Eensalem side of the Poquessing, about three hundred yards above the site of the present one. In order to obtain water-power for this mill, a small dam was constructed on the Poquessing, opposite to the farm now occupied by Edwin Tomlinson. From this dam the water passed through a race over a mile in length before it reached the mill. No traces of either the dam or the old race now remain. The present mill on the Byberry side is fed from a dam about two hundred and fifty yards " This mill is still owned by Elmer Carter, who is engaged in mak- ing hay rakes. EYBERRY AND MORELAND. I>■ iJMi aLtt iP} BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 20$ Stood where H. Humphrey's house now stands, and was torn down only a few years ago. On John Roberts's^^ farm stood an old house for many years occupied by Benny Peart. The buildings on the farm belonging to Charles Martindale*'^^ formerly consisted of an old stone house and a log barn. The barn fell down near thirty years ago, and the house was demolished by the present owner about 1848. A blacksmith shop formerly stood at the corner of Comly's road and Bustleton turnpike, near James Tomlinson's house. It was removed many years ago. A blacksmith shop stood at Byberry Point, and for many years belonged to George Duffield, but it was removed thirty-odd years ago. An old still-house, in which many a gallon of whiskey was distilled, formerly stood on the late Judge Som- mer's farm.^^ The whiskey business became so un- profitable that it was given up about forty years ago, and the still-house converted into a wagon-house. A still- house also stood on John Lingerman's farm,^^ then be- longing to John Dyer, but this, too, has long since passed away. The road leading from Byberry Store to Townsend's Mill had a woods on both sides of it for a considerable part of the distance. That on James Thornton's place, now owned by Richard Cripps,^^ was for many years left " This property is now owned by Joseph Root. '*'* Frank Morrell now occupies this property. ** This farm is now occupied by Enoch Taylor. "' Edward Duffield had a distillery. There was another on the Ashton tract on the Ashton Road in Lower Dublin. "^ This property is now owned by John Jenks. 206 THE HISTORY OF Open as commons, and was a place of resort for the older part of the present generation when they went to school. It was filled with cow-paths; and one of those who then frequented that spot has remarked "that the tinkling of the cow-bell, mingled with the shouts of happy school- children, when he was a boy, still come fresh to his mem- ory, although like the old woods they have long since departed forever." The woods on Charles Martindale's place, between his orchard and John Barney's, has been cut down since my memory, although as far back as 1837. Further on were extensive tracts of woodland on the farms of John Carver and Evan Townsend, which abounded with rabbits, squirrels and partridges. As gun- ners were not permitted there, game was plenty, and the boys in the vicinity had much pleasure as well as profit in trapping and snaring it in the fall and winter ; but the old oaks, chestnuts and hickories, which thickly covered the ground, are all gone, and only here and there a stump remains to tell the tale to passing travelers. The east side of the road from Byberry Hall to Vanarsdalen's Corner was cleared off only a few years since ; and a large tract of timber on the road from the Benjamin Rush School- house to Gordon's dam has been removed within the last twenty years, and several houses built where it stood. In the latter part of 1816, a society of young women was formed in Byberry, the object of which was to af- ford relief to the poor. They held meetings in order to increase their funds, and not only made contributions themselves, but solicited them from others. Various ar- ticles of clothing were made up and distributed among DUDLEY HOMESTEAD. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 20/ the needy, and did much toward alleviating the sufferings of the poor. In 1817 the corn was much injured by the grub- worm, so that it did not yield more than half a crop. Prices that year ranged as follows: wheat, per bushel, $1.87; rye, 80 cents; buckwheat, 55 cents; corn, 75 cents; oats, 35 cents; flaxseed, $1.90; cloverseed, $12; potatoes, 50 cents; butter, 31 cents; apples, 60 cents; and eggs, 20 cents. July 21, 1 81 7, was remarkable for the violent storm of wind and rain which occurred, when a large number of trees were uprooted or twisted off, fences were blown down, the corn much injured, and the fruit blown off the trees. Several days in the beginning of May, this year, were observed to be very smoky, but the cause was not known. Previous to 1840, militia trainings were very common in the townships, on which occasions many of the inhabitants "turned out and drilled," to obviate the necessity of paying militia fines. On the 13th of May, :8i6, about fifty persons assembled for this purpose, and elected Seneca Hibbs as their captain. At such times con- siderable liquor was drunk, and, when, under its influ- ence, quarrels were of frequent occurrence. The majority of the people were never much in favor of ^'training days," and toward the last of them the greatest ^'ignoramuses" in the neighborhood were usually elected captains, brigade inspectors, etc. ; and their actions while in office caused no little merriment to the lovers of fun. Isaac Comly remarks that "many of the old residents re- collect the achievements of Colonel Gallagher. On one occasion at Milford, Bucks County, the Colonel was rig- 208 THE HISTORY OF ged out in a cocked hat, military coat, and a sword four feet long, made of an old sc3^the. He rode Giles Knight's jackass, and the sword dragged on the ground. The jackass would not go across the bridge over the Nesham- iny, so the fellows carried the Colonel, jackass and all over, much to the merriment of those present. Some ob- jections were made to the Colonel's eating dinner with the other officers, but his company pushed him on and he went through. This was the last training in this sec- tion." The summer of 1816 was remarkably cool, and, from some notes made at the time, we find a frost occurred ]\Iay 1 6th, so as to kill the garden vegetables, corn, etc.; and, on June nth, frost was noticed in the low places generally. During the same year the crops were below the average yield, and one of the poets of the day noted the fact in the following lines : "The grass tho' short the laborer's mowing; The corn is small, but fast is growing; The winter was hard upon our rye ; The wheat's much injured by the fly; Now and then we have a storm, A few days cold, and then it's warm." In 1819 land sold at least $30 per acre lower than it had done in 18 14, and many who were forced to sell were en- tirely ruined. During the winter which followed, the laboring men found but little to do, and several were hard beset to get along. The association of ladies was very active, and the sufferings much mitigated. The poor in other places were much pinched, and we find many went round with briefs to collect money. One of these was to enable John Brooks to build a house ; another to enable BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 209 Thomas Ridge to ^o to Ohio. A Dutch woman from Frankford went around to collect money for the same purpose, and when questioned as to why she came to By- berry, she said she was advised to "because it was con- sidered a good place." Emigrating to Ohio became very fashionable, and several families left their native place; among these were Isaac Tomlinson, William Plumley, Griffith Street, John Adams, and Joseph Croasdale, Jr. Some time during the latter part of this summer a bal- loon passed over a portion of Moreland; and as things of this kind were rather uncommon, people speculated upon the cause. Some were at a loss to conceive what it could be ; but others saw in it the resemblance of a cow, which had in some supernatural manner been provided with wings, and was then journeying over the country in order to see the fine farms and happy people around Phil- adelphia. The collection of the tax assessed upon the people for military purposes has always been a matter attended with serious trouble in the townships. Most of the inhabitants are Friends, and their principles would not permit them to pay money for such purposes. In many places the col- lectors did nothing more than ask for the tax; while in others they adopted every means in their power for ob- taining it. Sometimes they seized upon such property as they could find, such as carriages, harness, grindstones, horses, cows, hogs, etc. ; all of which were sold at public sale, after which the overplus was returned to the several owners. Those who refused to pay were often taken to jail, where they were sometimes kept for several 14 2IO THE HISTORY OF days, and until they or their friends paid the amounts as- sessed to them. The summer of iSi8 was very sickly, and many per- sons died. Help was very scarce, so that the neighbors had to assist each other. Joseph Comly was sick nearly all summer, and as he was unable to attend to his farm, the neighbors assisted him. On one occasion they as- sembled to the number of thirty-live, and cut down thirty acres of grass and grain for him in one day. During this year John Black kept a hotel at Smithfield ; and we find that he brought a suit against several individuals, to re- cover twelve and a half cents for liquor furnished them by way of treat at the militia muster. He obtained judg- anent in his favor, and they had the debt to pay as well as the costs. This year Conrad Snyder, from Bensalem, was through Byberry collecting money to pay a doctor's bill I Lucky doctor ! August 29, 1818, we find it stated that Elizabeth Bar- ton was at Byberry Meeting, and preached on the subject of ''The sun's softening wax and hardening clay." Some of the geniuses of the township are spoken of as trying their skill at invention during this year. Their thoughts were influenced by the ambitious desires of Ful- ton and others; and Benjamin Willard, of Mechanicsville, spent some time in making a wagon to go by steam ; but, unfortunately for the reputation of the village and the purse of Willard, the wagon did not go. There is still in use in Byberry a pair of cart wheels, the hubs of which were part of a wagon belonging to William Walmsley, great-grandfather to Silas Walmsley. The wagon was taken to carry stores to the English army BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 211 -engaged in the French and Indian War in 1759. The following occurs in William Walmsley's account book: ''Ye 30th day of ye 6th month, June, 1759, John Van- horn and Thomas Webb pressed my wagon, and took it •away to carry military stores to Ohio, and brought the wagon back ye 29th of ye 9th month, 1759." These hubs ^*are made of quartered white oak, and are the last of the military matters of those days. Could these hubs speak to their felloes, what feats of arms and deeds of valor done in olden time would they portray !"^^ After the Revolutionary War wild animals became very scarce, and panthers, wolves, or wildcats were seldom seen. A panther was shot in Moreland about the year 1790. Some wild turkeys were seen there in 1792, and in 1835 William Webster shot a wild-cat near the Bristol turnpike. Game, such as partridges, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, etc., were plenty until within a few years; but as their haunts have been destroyed, they have gradually •decreased in number until but few are now found. Exciting accounts of some wild animals have from time to time been circulated, and a few of the timid ones liave been so frightened that they could not be induced to expose themselves to the danger after nightfall. Al- though the tracks of bears, panthers, otters, beavers, etc., are said to have been seen, yet none of these animals have been captured. In the year 1853, a company of Chippewa Indians, con- sisting of a chief, his squaw, and two sons, visited By- ^'^ These hubs were branded B. A. (British Army). They have been used for fuel. An old horse branded C. A. (Continental Army) was still to be found in Byberry in 1800. 212 THE HISTORY OF berry and encamped in Morton Walmsley's woods, where they remained nearly the whole summer. In order to raise money they gave several entertainments in Byberry Hall, which were well attended, and furnished them with as much as sufficed for their wants. They roamed through the fields and woods, but were very civil, not molesting anybody. The Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered in 1843. This is not confined to the townships alone, but extends over a portion of Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. The first meeting respecting the company was held at Somerton in 1842; and at the next session of the Legislature a charter was obtained. Franklin Comly, Esq., was the President of the Company until his death in i860; since that time John Smith, Esq., of Huntington Valley, has been its presiding officer. Wat- son Comly, Esq.,^^ has always been its secretary. It com- menced with an insurance of $200,000, but the amount now insured is over $2,800,000, and is steadily increasing. Nearly all the property in both townships is insured in this company. The losses by fire are paid by assessments upon the property insured. We have now traced all the more important events of the townships from their earliest settlement down to the present time. In the first part of the history we have probably collected nearly all events of interest that have escaped the ravages of time; but during the last few- years various things have transpired which we have not noticed, although they would be interesting to many per- sons. It is, however, probable, that few, if any, in che "Thomas Shallcross is now secretary. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 213 townships have preserved an account of the events of the last twenty years — a matter particularly to be regretted, as Isaac Comly faithfully chronicled all events of interest from about the year 1790, until his death, in 1847, ^^^ ^ portion of this history has been obtained from such ac- counts as he from time to time published. TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, ETC. The surface of Byberry has a general slope to the south, the most northern part being sufficiently elevated to afford a good view of the greater part of the township and of the country lying on both sides of the Delaware River. All the larger streams take their rise in this locality, and flow in a general southerly direction. Just above the northern boundary of the township the Poquessing,®^ one of the most beautiful and interesting streams in the vicin- ity, takes its rise ; and, as it flows onward through a roll- ing country, forms the entire eastern boundary. It has several small tributaries from Byberry, the most import- ant of which is Bloody Run, which empties into it above Carter's Mill, Black Lake Creek at Mechanicsville, and Gilbert's Run, about a mile below. It passes through a beautiful district, well suited to agricultural purposes, the country being moderately rolling, and the soil fertile. Its banks, for the most part, are skirted with timber, and but few dwellings of any description are near it. Much of the scenery along its course is picturesque, and it af- fords considerable matter of interest to the traveler. From '* This word, often written Poquesink, is of Indian origin. Accord- ing to Heckewelder, it signifies a mouse or the place abounding in mice. 214 ^^^ HISTORY OF its source to its mouth, a distance of about twelve miles, there are no fewer than eight mill-dams, which furnish water-power to as many mills. This can be said of but few streams in this vicinity. Of these mills five (one saw-mill and four grist-mills) are in Byberry, and are all on the western bank of the creek. The Byberry Creek, the next stream of importance,, rises in the "timber swamp," in the northern part of the township, a little to the southwest of Somerton, and flows through the middle of the township, receiving several small tributaries in its course. One of these — Ellwood's Run — comes from Silas Tomlinson's land, and unites with the main stream, or Wilson's Run, on Horace Smith's farm ; while the only other one of moment rises in Moreland, flows a southeasterly course, and empties in- to the main stream on Nathaniel Richardson's farm. Soon after receiving this stream the main creek is turned to the southwest, around the base of a range of hills, form- ing part of the western boundary, and finally conies back on the south side of the same range, meeting w4th the Poquessing at the extreme southern end of the townships about one mile from where it empties into the Delaware. This stream has but one mill on it — Charles Comly's — near the centre of Byberry. By these streams and their tributaries the whole of Byberry is drained. The surface of the country is generally level, exicept along the eastern boundary and in the southern part, where a few moderate elevations are found ; yet these are so limited that no part of the surface can be said to be hilly or rough. The geological features, therefore, pre- sent nothing striking; and, so far as I have examined BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 215 them, but little worth inserting in sketches like these. In the northern part the soil is a little sandy and mixed with mica, and contains some of the common garnet, though the specimens are usually small. This is underlaid with rocks of mica slate, which seems to be the most con)nion formation in the northern part of the township, and from the amount of garnet found in it might be denominated garnetiferous mica slate. This is well shown along the course of the Poquesssing. Nearer the middle of the township the gneiss formation is generally found, com- posed of quartz, feldspar and mica, and underlying the whole surface. These ingredients are blended in different proportions, and along with them hornblende and talc occasionally occur. Along Black Lake Run hornblende is found mixed with the gneiss ; and in the same vicinity I found some specimens of that mineral, where talc had taken the place of the mica, forming a rock called proto- gine. Soapstone, or talc, is also found on farms belonging to Jonathan Leedom and William Carter,^^ near Somer- ton. On the farm belonging to Silas Vanarsdalen,^® two or three rocks, weighing, several tons each, have i>een found, presenting very much the appearance of Edge Hill stone. These are gneiss, containing more than the usual quantity of feldspar, blended with the quartz and mica; the latter in very small quantities, giving to it the appear- ance of Edge Hill stone, which is a mixture of feldspar and quartz intimately interfused. From its spotted ap- *^ This property, once belonging to Jonathan Leedom, now belongs to Henry Roberts, and that belonging to William Carter now belongs to Benjamin Carter. ""This property is now owned by Albert Buckman. 2l6 THE HISTORY OF pearance it has been denominated porphyritic gneiss. It also contains a little tourmaline or schorl. Professor Rogers, in his report on the geology of Pennsylvania, remarks "that where the feldspar is the predominating mineral, it exhibits a remarkable tendency to pass to the condition of kaolin by decomposition." Specimens of this last-mentioned mineral occur on the road leading from Mechanicsville to Gordon's Mill, just below Thomas James'^^ house, only a few hundred yards from the rocks on Vanarsdalen's farm, and probably have been formed by such decomposition. The kaolin is in small quantities, and too impure to be of any value for manufacturing purposes. In some localities, particularly along the P(;- quessing, where this formation is exposed, the laminated structure is somewhat remarkable for its tortuosities and irregularities; but in others it is very regular in its ar- rangement, and affords excellent material for building and other purposes. On Silas Tomlinson's^^ farm there is a quarry of hornblende, which furnishes excellent stone for turnpikes. The mineral has also been found in several other places in the townships. Along the Poquessing, about half a mile below Me- chanicsville, on the Bensalem side of the stream, there is a projection or mound about twenty-five feet high, and covering near a half acre of surface. It is composed of gneiss, the feldspar of which has mostly changed into kaolin, and contains here and there a few crystals of schorl. This mass has the appearance of having at some " This property is now owned by the heirs of Thomas James. " This property now belongs to Edward Shallcross. The rock is a combination of hornblende and quartz known as homblendeschist. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 217 former time been united with the rocks on the Byberry side, its composition and general appearance being similar to them. It is, therefore, not improbable, but that the Poquessing may once have passed around to the east of it, and that the projection was undermined by the action of the water, and fell into the valley where it now lies, and that the stream has formed a passage between it and the rocks to which it was attached. This change probably occurred many years since, as the mound is now covered with earth, in many places four feet deep, in which the remains of large trees may still be seen. In the meadow lately owned by George Weiss, there are two large masses of rocks, composed of asbestiform actinolite, in which impressions similar to those made by a man's foot appear. A similar print has been observed in a rock near the mouth of the Poquessing, which has given rise to the belief by the superstitious "that they were made by the Devil when he leaped over the Delaware into the Jerseys."<5^ Bog iron ore occurs in several places in the northern end of the township; sulphuret of iron in small crystals also is found, intermingled with other minerals. Some very pure specimens of black mica occur along the Poques- sing in several localities, but they are usually small. A few specimens of green quartz, or prase, probably colored by actinolite, have been found in the vicinity. On Nathaniel Richardson's farm some specimens containing sulphate of copper have also been found. ^ The first of these rocks is on the property now belonging to Ed- ward Shallcross. The rock is not of the proper nature to possess fossil footprints. The phenomenon is merely a freak of nature, produced through the process of rock disintegration and erosion. 2l8 THE HISTORY OF A peculiarity in the water-courses exists which de- serves to be mentioned. They are all found to the western side of the valleys through which they flow, and, conse- quently, that bank is generally skirted with hills made up of the gneiss or mica slate. From this circumstance it is rare to find a good quarry on the eastern banks of any of the streams. The lower end of Moreland generally slopes to the south, being drained by the tributaries of Byberry Creek. The soil in that section is generally argillaceous, and only moderately fertile. The prevailing formation there is micaceous, yet few quarries are found. In the northern part the land slopes to the west, the surface being suffici- ently rolling to carry off the waste water. The soil here is either a sandy or gravelly loam, except that part in the vicinity of the "timber swamp/' which is argillaceous. A small stream rises in this swamp, and drains the clay bottom in the vicinity ; while to the north another stream rises in the rolling ground. After flowing about a mile across the township in a westerly direction, they unite and form a pleasant little stream which finds its way to the Pennypack, near Verreeville. Some quarries have been opened along this stream, from which excellent build- ing stone is obtained. The geology, etc., of Moreland, is similar to that of Byberry, and affords but little interest to the general reader.*^^ '"Byberry and Moreland are within the belt of the Philadelphia mica schists and, being thus located, they possess all the common minerals found in that belt Aside from building stone, it possesses no valuable deposits. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 219 VILLAGES, ETC. Babylon, about half a mile southeast of the Byberry Meeting-house, is a scattered village lying on both sides of the road, and containing eight dwelling-houses, besides a few other buildings. The late Thomas Gilbert was the first settler in the place. Black Lake is a small stream, one branch of which rises on John Carver's place and the other on James Thorn- ton's,"^^ and, after flawing nearly a mile, unite on land be- longing to Charles Martindale. It then flows a winding southeasterly course for another mile, and empties into the Poquessing at Mechanicsville. The water in this stream has a very dark appearance, and is probably colorr ed by vegetable matter along its course. This will ac- count for the name of "Black," but why called "Lake" is not known. The name, however, has been used from time immemorial, and we are not disposed to change it. There is a tradition that stonecoal was found along this stream on the farm now owned by Charles Martindale, before the Revolutionary War, but no evidence of it has since occurred. Byberry Point, in the western part of Moreland, is at the junction of the Bustleton and Byberry turnpike roads, about three- fourths of a mile from the former place. There is but one house here. Byberry Cross-roads is where the Southampton road crosses the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, about one mile north of Byberry Meeeting-house. A tavern was formerly kept here with the sign of the "Three Tuns,"" " This property is now owned by Jesse Tomlinson. 220 THE HISTORY OF but was afterwards converted into a store, which was kept by different persons until within a few years. At one time several mechanics were located here, and the place was called *Tlumbsock;" but these have all disappeared, and the place is now known as Byberry Cross-roads. Carte/ s Mill is on the Poquessing, in the northern part of the township. It was built by the late James Carter. Several houses are in the vicinity. A saw and grist-mill are in operation here, both doing a good business. Amos Knight's Corner is on the Byberry and Holmes- burg road, one mile southwest of the Meeting-house. It was named after its late proprietor, Amos Knight, who lived here many years, and was noted for his eccentrici- ties. Ellwood's Run is a small stream emptying into By- berry Creek on Morris Penrose's place. Its source is on land owned by Silas Tomlinson, about one mile from its mouth. It was named after Thomas Ellwood, who for many years lived in a small tenement near it. Gingerbread Field is west of Knight's Mill, near the Poquessing, on a part of the original Ellis's tract of five hundred acres. On this Ellis had his habitation; and in the garden attached both he and his wife were buried. The graves were for a long time inclosed by a fence, i)Ut now no vestige of them remains. Kaintuck, composed chiefly of meadow-land, is situated in the northern part of Byberry, near the foot of Edge Hill, and extends along the west branch of the Poques- sing Creek for half a mile. Knight's Mill is on the Byberry and Andalusia turn- pike, in the southern part of Byberry. It is on the Po- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 221 quessing, and was erected about 1770, by Jonathan Knight, gentleman; it was rebuilt in 181 5. There are five or six dwelling-houses near by, also a county bridge over the Poquessing. Kmghtsville is situate on the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike road, where the Moreland road^^ crosses it, near the thirteenth mile-stone. It is a village containing six dwelling-houses and some other buildings. It was named in honor of Leonard Knight, Esq., and Jonathan Knight, Judge, who for many years resided here. A school w^as formerly kept at this place. Minktozvn, a village of two houses, is situate on the Poquessing, near Townsend's mill-dam. The house was built here over seventy years ago, by Benjamin Adams, weaver, and contained but two rooms, in which was brought up a large family of children. It derived its name from the number of minks found here a few years since. Opposite to this place is the burying-ground for colored people. Pleasantville, on the county line, about one mile east of Somerton, is a village of ten or tw^elve houses. It was formerly noted for the store kept there by Edward Worth- ington, and was then called Tortleburg, or, more politely, Terrapintown. These names have of late been discarded, and from its being a pleasant place is now called Pleasant- ville. Perth is a small village near Bloody Run, on the road leading from Somerton to the county line. It has become noted for being the place where Hart was attacked and "This road is now called the Red Lion Road. :222 THE HISTORY OF seriously injured, for which the Mansons were tried and acquitted. Ridge's MilP'^ is on the Poquessing, near the north -corner of Byberry. It has a long mill-race, but no dam, yet considerable business is done here. Tozvnsend's Mill, on the Poquessing, one mile northeast of Byberry Meeting-house, was built in 1767, and re- mained in the Townsend family from its erection until within ten or twelve years. It is a valuable property, and capable of grinding 15,000 bushels per year. There are several dwellings and a smith and wheelwright shop near it. During the exciting presidential canvass of 1844 it was called "Coonville," on account of the emblematic rac- coons kept there in connection with the cause of Henry Clay, and has since frequently gone by that name. Timber Swamp. This is a large tract of woodland reaching from the west corner of Byberry near Andrew Ervein's, northeast along the Moreland line almost to the Somerton road. This was formerly one vast tract of woodland, the largest in the vicinity, and was a noted hunting ground. Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and birds were found there in abundance, and even bears were sometimes seen. The last Bruin found there was in 1780, and was shot by Jersey Billy Walton. It was formerly a great place for ghosts, etc., and many marvellous tales have been narrated as occurring in the "timber swamp.'* Much of the timber has been cleared off within a few years, and its limits thereby greatly contracted. Powelltown, at the junction of the Moreland and the Holmesburg roads, is a village of five or six dwelling- ^"This mill is now owned by John Wynkoop. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 223 liouses, a school-house and some other buildings. The school-house is a new building, and an ornament to the place. This village is named after a family of Powells, who resided there for many years. Comly's Mill is the only one on the Byberry Creek, and is near the centre of Byberry, about one mile south of the Meeting-house. This stream not furnishing sufficient water-power, the enterprising proprietor, Charles R Comly, introduced steam, and the mill is now run by it instead of water, and does an extensive business. A few houses have been built near by, mostly by Robert Phillips, the former owner, giving the place the appearance of a village. Somerton, the largest village in the township, is situ- ated on the Bustleton and Somerton turnpike road, about three miles from the former place, and thirteen from Philadelphia. It is partly in Moreland and partly in By- l^erry, and extends a quarter of a mile along the turn- pike. A public school-house and a Methodist church have, Avithin a few years, been erected here. Besides these, the ])lace contains three hotels, two shoemakers, one saddle and harnessmaker, two stores, one wheelwright, one Tjlacksmith, one undertaker, two carpenters, one tailor, and one doctor. It contains about thirty-five dwelling- liouses, and a population numbering about one hundred and eighty persons. A post-office has been established here, and is connected with Philadelphia by a daily mail. A little to the east of the village is the William Penn Cemetery. "^^ ^* This village is named in honor of Judge Sommer who dwelt on the property now occupied by Enoch Taylor. It was previously 224 THE HISTORY OF Byberry Store, now owned by Ross M. Knight, is the chief emporium of Byberry, and is near the centre of the township. A post-office was estabhshed here in 1832, and it is now in daily communication, by mail, with Philadel- phia. Near by is Friends' Meeting-house, in which many important events of bygone times have transpired, and around which much that is dear to every native of By- berry still lingers. Byberry Hall and the Cabinet of Natural Curiosities belonging to the Byberry Philosophi- cal Society are here ; and the old school, established more than a century ago, and which for a long time was the only one in the township, is still kept open for the educa- tion of the youth. A tailor and a shoemaker shop are near at hand ; and two or three dwelling-houses also help to give importance to the place. It is now as it has been ever since the first settlement, the centre of attraction in Byberry. "^^ Mechanicsville, next to Somerton in point of size, is situate on the Poquessing, where Black Lake Creek empties into it. It was named from the number of me- chanics settled there, and is a place of considerable importance. It contains about twenty dwelling-houses and several other buildings, which are scattered on both sides of the valley through which Black Lake flows ; and called Smithfield, but assumed its present name at the beginning- of the nineteenth century. "This store is now owned by Lewis Hall. It has always, like other country stores, been a great meeting place in the evenings for the neighbors. During the early settlement, before taverns were estab- lished, alcohol could be obtained here. It is said that school boys could buy a qunrt of whiskey and pass the measure around and thus empty it. The customers about this time learned not to ask for the spirits directly but "The same as I got last time." BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 225 it numbers about one hundred and fifty persons in popula- tion. In it the traders are well represented, as carpen- ters, masons, storekeepers, machinists, butchers, wheel- wrights, saddlers and harnessmakers, scriveners, and farmers are found within its limits. A mill for sawing lumber and grinding feed, and a public school, are in suc- cessful operation here. Opposite to this place, on the Ben- salem side of the Poquessing, is Elizabethtown, a small village containing several dwellings, all of which have been erected within twelve or fifteen years. A substantial county bridge connects these two places. 15 226 THE HISTORY OF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN HART. John Hart^ born at Whitney, in Oxfordshire, Eng- land, November i6, 1651 (O. S.), was among the earliest settlers, having come over with Penn, in 1682. He pur- chased four hundred and eighty-four acres of land, bor- dering on the Poquessing Creek, in the southern part of By berry, on which he settled and spent several years of his life. He was a man of rank, character, and reputa- tion, had considerable influence, and was several times elected a member of the Assembly. He was a leading member of Byberry Meeting, and at one time considered a good preacher. He manifested great interest in pro- moting the views and doctrines of George Keith, his name being attached to many of the papers published by that party against Friends ; and at the separation, all his near- est neighbors, and some of those more distant, joined him in opposing the principles maintained by Friends. After the separation, in 1691, he preached to a society of Keith- ians that met at the house of John Swift, in Southampton ; but, in 1697, this meeting was broken up, and he, along with many others, embraced the principles of the Baptists, and was baptized by Thomas Rutter. In 1702, they joined the meeting at Pennypack, where Hart became assistant minister, but was never ordained. He was, how- ever, considered a pious Christian and a good preacher, and continued to officiate at that meeting, and at a Bap- tist Church in Philadelphia, from 1707 to 1720. He sold all his possessions in Byberry in 1705, and removed to BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 22/ Southampton. His wife was Susannah Rush, by whom he had five children : John, Joseph, Thomas, Josiah, and Mary, who married into the Crispin, Miles, Paulin, and Dungan families, and mostly settled in Lower Dublin.^ JOHN RUSH. John Rush, the patriarch of the Rush family in By- berry, was the commander of a troop of horse in Crom- well's army. After the war was over, he married Susan- nah Lucas, of Harteen, in Oxfordshire, in 1648. In 1660, he embraced the principles of the Quakers, and along with his whole family, consisting of seven children, and several grandchildren, came to Pennsylvania in 1683, and settled on Byberry Creek, near where Reuben Parry now lives. In 1691, he and his family became Keithians, and, in 1697, most of them joined the Baptists. He died in 1699, leaving ten children, seven sons and three daugh- ters. His sword and watch have been preserved by his ^Jobn Hart came about three months before Penn. His grant of 1,000 acres dates from the nth of October, 1681. Five hundred acres were located in the lower part of Byberry and five hundred acres in Warminster. It was as preacher at the house of John Swift that he laid the foundation of the Southampton Baptist Church. He died in 1714. He appears to have been a very influential man. His name appears in many of the important Keithian documents. Proud speaks of him as "A man of rank, character and a great preacher." Of the descendants of John Hart, who attained distinction, may be mentioned the following: Oliver Hart, who studied theology under William Tennent of Log College, Neshaminy, and became a famous preacher of South Carolina; Samuel Preston Moore, who was surgeon-general in the Confederate Army, and Stephen West Moore, who was inspector-general of Louisiana. Gen. W. W. H. Davis, another descendant, has written a history and genealogy of ithis family. 228 THE HISTORY OF descendants ; also, his family Bible, containing the names of his children, in his own handwriting.^ JAMES RUSH. James Rush, son of John and Susannah Rush, was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1678, and was brought over with the family to Pennsylvania, in 1683. He never married, but remained at the family mansion, where he died in 1727, aged forty -nine years, and was buried in the ancient graveyard in the southern part of Byberry. WnXIAM RUSH. William Rush, son of John and Susannah Rush, came over with the family in 1683. He was married while in England; but his wife, Amelia, died in the latter part of the same year of their arrival, and was buried at John Hart's burying-ground on the Poquessing. William died in 1688. henry ENGLISH. Henry English, brother-in-law to Giles Knight, came over to Byberry some time previous to 1690. While in England he married Hannah West, in 1685, and with her came to America, and settled on his half of his father's purchase in Byberry. He was a member with Friends, and gave one acre of ground for the use of the meeting. But little is known of him except that he lost his first wife, and that he married Hannah, widow of William Hibbs, in 1 712. In March, 171 1, a year previous to this marriage, he made a deed of his property to his intended ■ The tract of John Rush in Byberry was about five hundred acres. John Rush also owned a tract of similar size in Warminster. From a letter written by Dr. Benjamin Rush to John Adams, it appears that all but one of John Rush's children were born in England. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 229 Spouse, which expressly stated "that it was in considera- tion of the love, good-will and affection which he had and The Osweg'o Times of May 3, 1849, thus speaks of him : "James- Cooper died at 8 o'clock last evening at the residence of his son^ C. C. Cooper, esquire, of this city, after a short illness, in the 97th year of his age, having been born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of March, 1753. He was a brother of the late Judge William Cooper and uncle of James Fennimore Cooper. Till within a few days, Mr. Cooper retained in a remarkable degree the powers- and faculties of an athletic frame and strong intellect. He em- phatically belonged to the iron age of the Revolution, to an age gone by, and was the friend and intimate acquaintance of Washing- ton. At the commencement of the Revolution, he served in the Navy of Pennsylvania and subsequently in the militia of his native State, and participated in the hard-fought battles of Monmouth and Germantowri." JAMES CARTER. Tames Carter was born in a hip-roofed house near Artman's Mill, in Southampton, Bucks County, in 1778. His parents were William and Mary Carter. Mary was a daughter of WiHiam Hayhurst, who Hved on the farm now owned by the heirs of Mordecai Carter, near Rocks- ville, where he owned a large tract of land. The name of Hayhurst frequently occurs in the early history of the neighborhood. They belonged to Middletown Friends'" Meeting, and the family have generally been interred irt the Middletown graveyard. Cuthbert . Hayhurst, or 'X^ncle Cuddy," as he was called, who obtained some notoriety for not being like other men, and who died at James Carter's house some years since, was a son of Wil- liam Hayhurst. James Carter had two brothers — Wil- liam, who was a minister in the Society of Friends, and settled near West Philadelphia, and Joseph, who settled near Rocksville — and one sister, Rebecca, who married John Claxton, and settled in Philadelphia. James Carter 248 THE HISTORY OF ' learned the blacksmith trade with John Searl, at the Four- lanes-end, now Attleborough, and then removed to By- berry Cross-roads to follow his occupation. He lived in the house now occupied by William Forrest, and had his shop on the opposite side of the road, in what is now Thomas Dyer's field. He married Phebe, daughter of John Tomlinson, and granddaughter of Isaac Carver. He followed his trade until 18 19, when he purchased a farm in the northern part of Byberry, on the banks of the Poquessing, where he spent the remainder of his days. His second wife was Annie Harding, who is still living, and is the oldest inhabtant of Byberry. His children were Mordecai, Tacy, Emily, Stephen, Thomas, Mary, James, and William. James Carter was commissioned a Justice of the Peace by Governor Simon Snyder, in 18 13, and from that time to the expiration of his commission by the new Constitu- tion, did most of the business appertaining to the office in the neighborhood. Esquire Carter's integrity and busi- ness qualifications won the confidence of the people; and until age and infirmity disqualified him for the service, he was active in whatever appertained to the welfare of the communit)'-, either in settling disputes among his neigh- bors, in which his judgment was rarely called in question, or in whatever was conducive to the public welfare. He died 8th mo. 8th, i860, and was buried in Byberry grave- yard. JOHN SIMMONS. John Simmons, son of Henry Simmons, was born on his father's farm, near Mil ford, Bucks County. John PEMBERTON DUDLEY, M. D., LL. D. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 249 became a school teacher, and moved to Horsham, Mont- gomery County, where he compiled and published the *Tennsylvania Primer," in 1794. In 1795 he removed to Byberry, and in partnership with his brother Thomas opened a store. This was relinquished in 1798, and he again commenced teaching. In 1801 he married a daugh- ter of Henry Atherton, and moved to Philadelphia, where he published "A Treatise on Farriery" and a Read- ing Book for schools. He died in Philadelphia, in 1843. JOHN MARSHALL. John Marshall taught school a short time in By- berry, after which he moved to Ancocas, New Jersey, where he died, in 181 3. CHRISTOPHER SMITH. Christopher Smith was born in England, where he learned the trade of nail-making. He taught school in Byberry from 1784 to 1789, then removed to Horsham, where he died, in 18 14. CHARLES SAYRE. Charles Sayre spent the greater part of his life in Byberry or Bensalem. He married Hetty, widow of Joseph Croasdale. By trade he was a wheelwright, yet for many 3^ears he taught school at Knightsville, Byberry, and near the Red Lion. He contributed numerous arti- cles, principally poetical, to the various newspapers of the day, thus evincing a creditable talent as a poet. He was of a religious turn, and spent much of his time, when not engaged at his business, in the fields and woods, where he could see and enjoy the works of God. He did not aspire 250 THE HISTORY OF to fame, but was contented with his little circle of friends, by whom he was respected and beloved. He died July 28, 185 — , aged 51 years. THE GROWDENS.* The Growdens of Bensalem have been repeatedly mentioned in this history. Lawrence Growden, along with his son, Joseph, took up a tract of about ten thousand acre* in Bucks Count5% most of which was in Bensalem, as will be seen by glancing at Thomas Holme's Map. Lawrence remained al his home in Cornwall, England, but Joseph came over i;o Pennsylvania in 1682, bringing with him his wife and children. Joseph Growden called his place Trevose, after his home in Cornwall, England. Another portion of his tract he called Belmont^ a third he called Richlieu, and a fourth part he called Stony Meadow. Joseph Growden appears to have been a man of influence, energy and wealth. He was prominent as a member of Byberr}' Meeting. We learn from Mahlon Carver that he employed a number of his slaves to dig the great race for the mill which he erected on the Poquessing. Speaking of Bucks County, Oldmixon says: "Bucks County sent six members to the Assembly, one of whom was Joseph Growden, who was the Speaker of the House (1708), who was instrumental in settling this country, for which and many other things it is very much indebted to his care and services." In 1699, his first wife died and, in 1704, he married Ann Buckley of Phila- delphia. He had tv/o sons and three daughters. He was member of the Privy Council, Speaker of the Assembly and Supreme Judge. He died in 1730. Joseph, his oldest son, inherited his property. He soon died, however, and the property was inherited by his second son Lawrence. Lawrence Growden was also a member of the Assembly and a member of the Governor's Council. Along with the Governor and Joseph Galloway, he went to Easton in 1758 to meet the Indians. He was one of the commissioners appointed to run the line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1763 he bought a sixth interest in the Durham Company of Bucks County from Williarn Logan. In this company were also interested his daughter, Elizabeth, and his son-in-law, Joseph Galloway. He died in 1769, leaving his property to his two daughters, Elizabeth and Grace. Elizabeth inherited the property of her father that was in Philadelphia, and Grace inherited the property within Bucks County. Elizabeth married Thomas Nicholson of Trevore, England. Grace married Joseph Galloway. These were the children of Lawrence Growden. Joseph Growden, Sr., also had a daughter, Grace, who married David Lloyd, 12th mo., 31, 1697. ♦Note by the Editor. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 2s I JOSEPH GALLOWAY. Joseph Galloway was born in Maryland in 1730. He early came to Philadelphia and started a law practice. Soon he married Grace Growden and removed to Trevose in Bucks County. Hencefor- ward he became very prominent in political affairs, becoming member and Speaker of the Assembly and member of the First Continental Congress. He signed the non-importation, non-consumption and non-exportation agreements. He appears to have been conservative, however, in his opposition to Great Britain. Although he was not at first in any sense a Tory, yet for his conservatism he was ridiculed and severely censured. The people carried their dislike to the ex- tent of sending him a halter with which to hang himself. Thus irri- tated, he left Philadelphia and joined the British in New York. Soon afterward his office at Trevore was broken into and many im- portant documents were taken. Thenceforward he became very bitter toward the American cause and, though he did not openly take the field, yet he wrote m.uch in defense of the crown. In 1778 he went to England and, in 1779, met a committee of Parlia- ment. He died in England in 1803. Just before the Revolution Joseph Galloway became a stockholder in the Durham Company. In 1773, however, the company was dis- solved and Joseph Galloway received tracts Nos. i, 2, 3, 4, 7, 23, which lay on both sides of the Durham Creek and contained the iron- works. In 1778 this property, along with the Bensalem tract, valued at £40,000, was confiscated by the State. It was, however, recovered after the Revolution by his daughter Elizabeth. This daughter and heir to his estate married, unhappily, William Roberts. They had one child, but soon they separated, Elizabeth taking the child for a consideration of £2,000. This child, called Grace Anne Roberts, married Adolphus Desart Burton in 1837 and had several children. She died in England. THE BENEZETS. The Benezets of Bensalem are descended from John Stephen Bene- zet, a French Huguenot, who arrived in America about the middle of the i8th century. He had three sons. His oldest son, James, succeeded to the estate and had one son, Samuel, who was a major in the Revolutionary War. John Stephen Benezet's youngest son' was Anthony, the great philanthropist, who worked so strenuously^ for the abolition of slavery although his relatives all kept slaves. His house was near the Schuylkill on Market Street. He was rather conscientious in regard to eating meat, as he believed it wrong to eat his "fellow-creatures." THE DECATURS. Captain and Commodore Decatur once lived in Byberry, dwelling in the house on the Decatur Road now occupied by William Mor- row. The Decatur Road perpetuates the name in this locality. The first account we have of the Decaturs is a Decatur of La Rochelle, France, a lieutenant in the French navy. He made a trip to the West Indies and there contracted a fever, which induced. 252 THE HISTORY OF him to seek a higher latitude. Accordingly, he came to Rhode Island and there met Priscilla Hill, whom he married. He re- moved to Philadelphia, but soon died, leaving one son, Stephen, afterward Captain Stephen Decatur. Stephen Decatur soon took to the sea and became a naval officer in the Revolutionary War. In this war he commanded first the "Royal Louis" and afterward the "Fair American." He married, while young, a girl of Irish parentage called Pine. The captain had one daughter and three sons. Stephen Decatur was the eldest, James was the second son, and John P. Decatur was the third. Of these, James was treacherously shot while fighting in Preble's Squadron in the Mediterranean. John had three sons and three daughters. Captain Decatur resided in Philadelphia until the British occupied the city, when he removed to a place called Sinepuxent, in the County of Worcester on the eastern shore of Maryland. Here on the 5tli of January, 1779, Stephen, the son, was born. Previous to his removal to Maryland, Decatur probably dwelt on Powder Mill Lane near Frankford. An old tradition of the place is to the effect that the Decaturs were engaged in the manufacture of gunpowder in a mill near the roid. This powder mill in memory of which the name has been given to the road, was, however, conducted by a. family by name of Worrell. On returning to Philadelphia, Captain Stephen Decatur settled in Byberry. At any rate, he resided here during the earliest years of his son's life. It was from this residence that Stephen, James and John attended the Byberry School where they received the rudiments of their education. At an early age Stephen contracted whooping cough which left him in an ill state of health. To im- prove his health, the Captain took Stephen, when only eight years of age, on a sea voyage. Ever afterward young Stephen was called "Captain Dick." During these early school days he became addicted to swearing, for which he was punished by his teacher. As this did no good, the teacher decided to go to see the "Old Captain," who, no doubt, was in hearty sympathy with the teacher. But his repri- mand of the boys was so well interspersed with profane phrases, that the teacher gave up the attempt to correct the boys as useless. At another time Stephen was receiving a flogging for some prank in which his brother, James, and one of the McCall boys were interested. Stephen took the punishment in good nature and in a laughing manner cried out: "Brother James and McCall have not received their share yet." For this Stephen received a double share. Once Stephen became involved in a quarrel with one of the McCall boys who offered to fight with him. But, as the boy was smalleif than Stephen, he decided to fight the boy and the boy's brother also. After Captain Stephen Decatur had resided for some years in Byberry, he became interested in a mercantile business in Phila- delphia. On this account he moved with his family to the city. Taking up his residence on Front street, he sent his children to the Academy on Fourth street near Arch. Young Stephen was very fond of swimming. Starting at Kensington, he would skirt the city and come ashore in the locality of the present navy yard. While BYBERRY AND MORELAND, 255 on one of these aquatic expeditions, he one day mounted a vessel and climbed to the tip end of the jib-boom for a dive. When only sixteen years of agC; he knocked down and severely injured a man who was using abusive language to his mother. On another occa- sion he got into a fight with some French sympathizers who at- tempted to replace his American hat by that of the French. Fortun- ately he was saved from injury by some of his father's sailors who came to his rescue. Subsequently Stephen went to the University of Pennsylvania. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he entered upon his father's business, where he continued until April 20, 1798. On that date he entered the navy which was then engaged in the French Naval War. He became a lieutenant on the "United States." "Essex"^ and "New York." He next became captain of the "Argus," which joined Preble in the Mediterranean. On this expedition he made his daring entrance into the harbor of Tripoli for the purpose of burning the United States vessel "Philadelphia," lately captured by the enemy. Another attack was soon made on the enemy when Decatur commanded a portion of the fleet. He had captured one of the enemy's vessels and was about to return, when he heard of the death of his brother James. James, in command of one of the vessels of the fleet, had captured one of the hostile vessels. As he was conducting the captured vessel out of the battle, he was treacher- ously slain by the captain of that vessel. Stephen was so enraged at this that he boarded the pirate and had a fierce hand-to-hand fight with the commander whom he finally shot through the heart. In 1812 Stephen Decatur, with the "United States," captured one of England's finest vessels, the "Macedonian." In 1815 he was himself captured while in command of the "President," by a British squadron. After the Second War with Great Britain he took a fleet to the Mediterranean and quickly forced Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli to make peace. He married a Miss Wheeler of Norfolk, Virginia, and resided in Washington. On the 13th of June, 1819, he began a correspon- dence with Commodore Barren concerning the conduct of the latter. This correspondence led to a duel between the two. In this duel, which was fought on rhe 22d of March, 1820, Commodore Stephen Decatur was mortally wounded. 2^4 THE HISTORY OF GENEALOGIES. THE BOLTON FAMILY.'*' The Bolton family is of ancient British stock. At the time of the Conquest it was in possession of great landed -estates both in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name of Bolton, or Bodelton (the ancient spelling), is from Boel, a mansion, probably implying that it was the principal residence of some Saxon Thane. Mr. Bolton traces the ancestry of his family to the Lord of Bolton,^ bow-bearer to the Royal Forests of Bowland and Gilsland, the lineal representative of the Saxon Earls of Murcia, and who was living A. D. 1135. Robert Bolton, his descendant in the fifteenth generation, was born at Wales, in Yorkshire, in 1688, and died in Philadelphia, in 1742. His descend- ants are now very numerous in the United States. We are, however, unable to trace the relation between him and Everard Bolton, the ancestor of the family whose gen- ealogy is here given, yet they are probably from the same :great family. The name of Everard Bolton occurs only in this branch of the family, and it has been so frequently given to its members that it has become a sort of inherit- ance. The Boltons were generally followers of George Fox, and numerous instances are recorded where they suffered, while in England, "for conscience' sake and the truth." *I am indebted to William F. Corbit, of Philadelphia, for the greater part of the genealogy of this family. "The Duke of Bolton appears to have been interested in the colony of New Jersey for we find his name attached to the docu- ments surrendering that colony to the crown in 1702. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 255 (i.) EvERARD Bolton, his wife, Elizabeth, and their two eldest children, came to Pennsylvania from Ross, in Herefordshire, England, in 1682 or 1683, and settled in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, on a tract of land a little east of the site of the present village of Milestown. This tract was presented to his eldest son in 171 1, but the deed of transfer was not recorded until 1760. Everard Bolton was an active member of the Society of Friends, having been Treasurer of Abington Meeting for nearly forty years. He was much esteemed, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace by a Council held at Philadelphia, May 30, 171 5. Elizabeth Bolton died June 5, 1707, and Everard subsequently married Margaret, widow of John Jones, a merchant of Philadelphia. Everard Bolton died in 1727, leaving eleven children, all by his first wife. They were Everard, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary, Samuel, Abel, Sarah, Lydia, Isaac, Rebecca, and Martha. Mar- garet died in 1742. Besides Everard Bolton, we find mention of Edward Bolton, who married Eleanor Jones, of Philadelphia, in 1694, but we have met with no further account of him or his family. (i.) Everard and Elisabeth Bolton's Children. (2.) Everard, born in Ross, England, March 28, 1680, came to America with his parents. He was by trade a glover. In July, 1707, he married Mary, daughter of Robert Naylor, of Plymouth, and settled in Abington, Avhere he followed his occupation. Children: Priscilla, Mary, Elizabeth, and Samuel. (3.) Elizabeth, born in Ross, England, June 26, 256 THE HISTORY OF 1 68 1, came to America with her parents. She married ElHs Davis in 1709, and settled in Cheltenham, Mont- gomery County, Pennsylvania. He died in 1745, and she died in August, 1749. Children: Deborah, born August 3, 1710; David, born March 11, 1712; Abel, born No- vember 17, 171 5; Sibel and Hannah, twins, born July 11, 1 7 18; Lydia, who married John Hurr. (4.) Hannah, born in Cheltenham, December 22y 1684, married Richard Carver, of Byberry, in 1708. Children : Mary, born August 15, 1709; Ann, born Octo- ber 15, 1710; Sarah, and John. Richard Carver died in 1727. (5.) Mary^ born in Cheltenham, November 4, 1687, married Edmund Roberts in 1714. They removed to the "Great Swamp," near Quakertown, Bucks County, and had children, Abel, John, David, Everard, Martha, Mary, and Jane. Of these, Martha married John Roberts in 1742; Mary married J. Foulke, and Jane married Thomas Foulke. (6.) Samuel, born October 31, 1689, married Sarah Dill worth. She died in 1732, leaving a portion of her estate to Janet, wife of Samuel Bolton. He was much esteemed, and Rachel Roberts, who died in 1751, named ''her trusty friend, Samuel Bolton, of Cheltenham," as her executor. We find mention of but one daughter, Hannah, who married John Coombs. He being absent for a number of years, she, having first obtained the con- sent of Friends, married John Clark, in 1746. (7.) Abel, born November 9, 1691 ; died July 19, 1702. (8.) Sarah, born November 26, 1693, married Wil- liam Bolton. After his death she married Michael Brown, BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 257 in 1 75 1. She died in Front Street, above Race, Philadel- phia, but left no children. (9.) Lydia, born September 3, 1695, married John Biddle, of Philadelphia, in April, 1721. He died June 17, 1750, and she died August 16, 1764, leaving eleven children : Elizabeth, married Pearson ; Sarah, born October 19, 1723; Hannah, born December 28, 1727. married Waterman, and died August 17, 1772; Josiah, born February 16, 1729; John, born April 16, 1730; Abigail, born ^August 16, 1731; Joseph, born July 4, 1733; Lydia, born March 14, 1735, died June 4, 1773; Mary, born July 4, 1736; John, born November 15, 1738; and Martha, born October 27, 1741. (10.) Isaac, born June 27, 1697, married Sarah Jones in 1724. She was born December 6, 1698. In 1722 he removed to Philadelphia, and for several years afterwards resided on the north side of Market Street, below Second. In 1750 he removed to Abington. He subsequently pur- chased a large tract of land in Bucks County, where he spent the remainder of his da3^s. To this tract he gave the name of the ''Bolton Farm," which name it still bears, although it passed from the Bolton family eighty years ago. In addition to farming, he dealt in skins, and was denominated in law papers of that period as "Isaac Bolton, peltsmonger." Flis possessions continuing to increase, he became one of the wealthiest men in the Province. He was a member of the Society of Friends, yet had no scruples against holding slaves, as is shown by the follow- ing inventory of his estate : "To a negro woman, named Dinah, £00 o o. To a negro man, called Berry, £67 10 o. 17 258 THE HISTORY OF To a negro woman, named Gate, £35 o o. To a negro woman, named Daffane, £45 o o. To a negro garle, named Phillis, i.22 00." They had eight children : Margaret, Rachel, Sarah, Rebecca, Jemima, Isaac, Joseph, and Everard. (11.) Rebecca, born May 20, 1701, was married No- Tember 4, 1747, to Solomon, son of Dennis Rockford, a noted man in the early days of Pennsylvania. They prob- ably had no children. (12.) Martha, born May 20, 1703, probably died in infancy. (2.) Everard and Mary Bolton's Children, (13.) Priscilla, married Cornelius, son of Matthias Conrad, of Germantown, March 29, 1732. She died No- vember 22, 1765. Children: Matthew, born July 4, ^733; Mary, born June 26, 1735; Everard, born July 21, 1 741 ; Joseph, born February 23, 1742; Samuel and John, twins, born November 13, 1744; Susannah, born January 7, 1750. Of these children, Samuel married Mary , and had children, Sarah, Samuel, Hannah, Ruth, Samuel, and Cornelius; and John married Sarah , and had children, Hannah, Priscilla, Benjamin, Esther, Sarah, and John. The Conrad family are of German extraction. They originally wrote the name Kunders, the ancestor of the family being Dennis Kunders, who settled in German- town about 1683. (14.) Mary, is mentioned in her father's will, but we have no other account of her. (15.) Elizabeth, was born June 26, 1708. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 259 (16.) Samuel, married Mary Livezey. He lived first in Abington, and afterwards in Byberry, where he died September 12, 1757. Children : Mary, who married John Paul, and died in 1796, and Martha. (10.) Isaac and Sarah Bolton's Children. (17.) Margaret, born April 6, 1726; died, unmar- ried. May, 181 7. (18.) Rachel, born September 12, 1727 ; died, unmar- ried, January i, 18 10. (19.) Sarah, born September 3, 1729, married, first, Massey, of Deer Creek, Maryland, and had one son, Isaac. She married, second, James Rigby, and had one daughter, Ann. Sarah Bolton became a recommended minister in the Society of Friends at the early age of 23 years, and subsequentl}'- traveled extensively with Ann Moore and Grace Croasdale, both eminent ministers of that Society. Many of her letters are still extant, and prove her to have been a woman of tender feelings. She died March 29, 1784, and her husband January 6, 1790. (20.) Rebecca, was born in Philadelphia, June 18, 1 73 1. She removed to Abington in 1750. (21.) Jemima, born January 27, 1733, married Henry Tomlinson, November 21, 1753. She died May 2, 1802, leaving three children, Sarah, Jemima, and Jesse. (22.) Isaac, born April 27, 1735, married Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah Walmsley, of Byberry. He died February 6, 1783. Children: William, Joseph, Isaac, Mary and Margaret, twins, Jesse, Thomas, and Sarah. (23.) Joseph, born March 13, 1737, married Rhoda, 260 THE HISTORY OF only child of Rebecca Bolton. He died December i8, 1799; she died August 8, 1806. (24.) EvERARD, born October i, 1739, married, first, Deborah, granddaughter of Andrew Griscom, a member of the first Provincial Council, in 1683, ^^^ noted for having built the first brick house in Philadelphia. She died in 1801. Everard then married Elizabeth Ivins. He died in 1831, leaving seven children, all by his first wife: Isaac, Sarah, Samuel, Rachel, Aquilla, Abel, and Everard. (22.) Isaac and Sarah Bolton's Children. (25.) William, born September 12, 1767, was by trade a blacksmith, and lived the most of the time in By- berry. He died September 19, 1823, leaving one daugh- ter. (26.) Joseph, born October 28, 1769, married Jane, daughter of Jonathan Knight. He was by trade a tailor, and lived near Knight's Mill, in Byberry, until 1798, when he moved to Frank ford. • He afterwards went to Black River, New York, where he married a second time. He died there in 1852, leaving several children, among whom were Tacy, born in 1794, and Isaac, born in 1796. {2'/.) Isaac, born October 7, 1771, married Elizabeth, daughter of Evan Townsend. He at first settled on a farm in Byberry, but afterwards moved to Bustleton, and again to Byberry, where he kept a store. Thence he went to Drumore, in Lancaster County, where he died in 1853, beloved and respected by all who knew him. Children : Evan, who died at Pennsgrove, Chester County, in 1840; John, Isaac, Sarah, Abi, Margaret, and Elizabeth. (28.) Mary married Nathan Marshall in 1800. He BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 26 1 was a blacksmith, and settled in Bustleton, but afterwards moved to Concord, Chester County, and thence to Black River, New York, where he died, leaving several children. (29.) Margaret, born September 2, 1773, married James Hayton in 1794. She died in 1795. (30.) Jesse, born June 30, 1777, studied medicine with Dr. Amos Gregg, of Bristol, and died soon afterwards. (31.) Thomas married a sister of Henry Comly, of Frankford, and afterwards moved to Black River, New York. (32.) vSarah married William Woodward, of Brandy- wine. (24.) Everard and Deborah Bolton's Children. (33.) Isaac, born March 23, 1766, married Phebe Kay. Children : Rebecca, who married Isaac Bartram ; Sarah ; Deborah, who married Francis Stillman; and Anna Maria, who married James Smith. (34.) Sarah, born December, 1768, died April 7, 1790. (35.) Samuel, born February 5, 1771, married Rachel Scull, of Cumberland County, New Jersey, who was a descendant of John and Mary Scull, emigrants from Eng- land in 1700. Samuel Bolton was a man of inventive genius, and was quite intimate with John Fitch. He took out patents for several inventions, the models of which were destroyed by fire when the British burned the public buildings, at Washington, in 18 14. He died April 7, 1812. Children: Aquilla, Gideon, Rachel, Sarah, Joseph R., James Murray, Hannah S., and Samuel. (36.) Rachel, born February 15, 1771, died February 25, 1789. 262 THE HISTORY OF (37.) Aquilla, born in 1773, married, first, Phebe Yarnall; second, Alice Babitt. He died in 1858, at Day- ton, Ohio. Children: Phebe, Denman, Charles, Jane, and Mary. (38.) Abel J., born September, 1778. died unmarried in 1858. (39.) EvERARD,, born November, 1784, married Rachel Perkins, and settled in Philadelphia. Children: William P., Everard, and Sarah. (35-) Samuel and Rachel Scull's Children. (40.) Aquilla,, who married Christiana Aurand, and resides at Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. (41.) Sarah, born October 11, 1801, married Henry C. Corbit, of Philadelphia, a descendant of Daniel Corbit, who came from Scotland to America in 1700, and settled in Delaware. She died September 7, 1852, leaving chil- dren: Caroline R., who married Ellerton Perot; Emma, who married Charles S. Ogden; Henry C, who died aged 14 years; Everard S., and Charles, who died in infancy; William F. ; Helen, who died aged 15 years; and Charles, who married Louisa A. Corbit, of Odessa, Delaware. (42.) Joseph R., born in 1803, married Sarah Jones. Children : Rebecca, who married Edward Bohrek ; Anna, Sarah J., Joseph R., Clinton, who married Jane White- lock; Henry C, who married Fanny Lippincott; and Samuel, who was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Vir- ginia, in 1862. (43.) James Murray, born February 11, 1806, mar- ried Mary E. English. Children: Emma, Mary, and Emma Louisa. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 263 (44.) Hannah S., born September 8, 1807, married Isaac Lloyd. Children: Elizabeth, Bolton, Franklin, William, Edwin, Horace, Clement, and Fanny. (45.) Samuel, born July, 1809, married Hannah Sanders. Children: Anna, Gideon S., Thomas, Alfred^ Rachel, and William. THE CARVER FAMILY.* (i) John Carver, with his brothers, William, Joseph, and Jacob, came to Pennsylvania, from England, in 1682. They were all members of the Society of Friends. Pre- vious to emigrating from England, John married Mary Lane, at the Priory of St. Albans. He took up by patent, from William Penn, 690 acres of land in the northeastern part of Byberry, along the Poquessing Creek. It included the site of the old homestead, which remained in the family for six generations, having descended successively from father to son, all of whom were named John, until 1864. He was a malster by profession, and the "malt- house" was continued until the fourth generation, when the business became so poor that it was given up. He died in 1714. Children: Mary, John, Ann, James, and Richard.^ * I am indebted to Watson Comly and Mahlon Carver, both of Byberry, for the genealogy of this family. ' From Mahlon Carver I learn that the Carvers are probably from Sussex, England. John appears to have had one other brother, Richard, who suffered in the persecution of the Friends. John secured a portion of his tract from Rideaut. Two hundred acres of the tract was sold to the Homer family. About two hun- dred acres was purchased by John Carver's brother, William. A son, James, also secured a portion of the tract. The brewing business assumed considerable magnitude. For a long tim.e it was the only brewhouse in the locality. 264 THE HISTORY OF ' (^i.) John and Mary Carver's Children. (2.) Mary was born in a cave, near Philadelphia, five days after the landing of Penn, and was the first child of English parentage born in Pennsylvania. She married Isaac Knight, of Abington, and was afterwards a noted minister in the Society of Friends. She died 3d mo. 3, 1769, aged 86 years. A memorial concerning her was issued by Abington Monthly Meeting, of which she was a member. Some of her descendants still remain in Abing- ton. (3.) John inherited a part of the paternal estate in Byberry, and like his father, followed the occupation of a malster in addition to that of farming. The malt-house was about twenty yards south of the present Carver Man- sion, and was the only malt-house in that section of the country. He married Isabel Weldon, from the Barony of Kendal, Ireland. He died 5th mo. 14, 1769. Chil- dren; John, Ann, and Isaac. (4.) Ann married John Duncan. (5.) James built the hip-roofed house now owned by Thomas Townsend. He married, and had one son, Sa .del, who moved to Philadelphia. He was a carpenter, and assisted in building Christ Church, in Second Street.*^ (6.) Richard married a Conrad, and settled at By- berry Cross-roads, where he started the first tavern in Byberry. He afterwards moved to Abington. Children : Mary, Ann, and two sons. His descendants are living near Sumneytown, Chambersburg, and Chester Valley.* * James Carver's wife was Hannah Townsend. " I learn from Mahlon Carver that this account is incorrect. Rich- ard Carver married Hannah Bolton. He had three daughters and one son. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. - 265 (3.) John and Isabel Carver's Children. (7.) John, born 7th mo. 30th, 1717, married Rachel, daughter of Joseph Naylor, of Southampton, and settled on the Carver Homestead. He died ist mo. 15th, 1791. Children : John, Samuel, Eli, Mahlon, Mary, and Rachel. (8.) Ann, born nth mo. 23d, 1719, married Robert Heaton, and settled in Byberry. Children: Isabel, Su- sannah, and John. (9.) Isaac, born 2d mo. 22d, 1722, married Phebe, daughter of Thomas Walmsley, in 1742. He inherited about 200 acres of his father's property, and settled where Richard Cripps now lives.^ He was somewhat noted as a literary man, and taught school for several years near the Byberry Meeting-house. He was a wit; and, having a poetical turn, was called the "Poet Carver." His verses were shrewd, often sarcastic, and generally had reference to local events transpiring in the neighborhood. He died I2th mo. 25, 1786, aged 64 years. Children: Mary, Nan- ny, Martha, Phebe, and Isabel. . (7.) John and Rachel Carver's Children. (10.) John, born loth mo. 26th, 1747, married Mary, daughter of Joseph Buckman. of Wrightstown, and set- tled on the homestead in Byberry. Children: Martha, Mary, John, Ascenath, Hcinnah, Sarah, Joseph, and Eliz- abeth. (11.) Samuel, born 12th mo. 2d, 1749, married Su- san Conrad, of Horsham, and settled where Randall My- ers now lives. ^^ His occupation was that of a carpenter " This property is now owned by John Jenks. ^^ John Stephens now lives on this property. , 266 THE HISTORY OF in addition to farming. He died 4th mo. loth, 1784. Children: Eli, Priscilla, and Rachel. (12.) Mahlon, born 7th mo. i8th, 1754, married Amy Pickering, of Solebury. He first settled near By- berry Meeting-house, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. He afterwards kept the Anchor Hotel in Wrightstown, and thence moved to a hotel at Morris- ville, where he died. Children : Jane, Rachel, and Sarah. (13.) Mary, born 12th mo. nth, 1758, married Thomas Samms, of Byberry. Children: Thomas and John. Thomas married Mary Hampton; their children, John H. and Ann. John married Mercy Hampton. Chil- dren : Mary and Rachel. (14.) Rachel^ born ist mo. 24th, 1763; died single,. 4th mo. 4th, 1834. (9.) Isaac and Phebe Carver's Children. (15.) Mary, married Benjamin Taylor, and had one daughter, Martha. She married William Tomlinson, of Byberry, and had children, Mary, Aaron, John, James, Phebe, Silas, Benjamin, William, and Isaac. (16.) Nanny, married John Carver, of Buckingham, and afterwards moved to Chester County. Children: John, Joseph, Isaac, and two daughters. (17.) Martha, died single, in 1771. (18.) Phebe, married Thomas Tomlinson in 1773. They lived back of Smithfield on a farm, which they rent- ed for forty years. They were quiet and unassuming in their habits, and although not considered prosperous in business, they were highly respected for their many vir- tues. Their children: Elizabeth, married Benjamin BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 267 Fields ; Phebe, married James Carter, Esq. ; Martha, mar- ried John Praul; Isabel; Joseph; John, married Martha Worthington; Amos; Isaac, married Deborah Kline; Thomas, married Rebecca Kline; and Silas. ( 19. ) Isabel, married John Davis, and had one daugh- ter, Phebe, who was married first to Miller Duffee, and afterwards to Septimus Tucker. (10.) John and Mary Carver's Children. (20.) Martha, born 4th mo. 27th, 1772, died single,, 5th mo. 15, 1 81 8. (21.) Mary, born 9th mo. T6th, 1773, married Wil- liam Worthington, of Wrightstown. Children : Ascenath, Margaret, Mahlon, Martha, Sarah, and John. {22.) John, born 2d mo. 28th, 1776, married Eliza- beth Briggs, of Wrightstown. He died loth mo. loth^ 1849. Children: John, Mahlon, Esther, and Eliza. (23.) Ascenath, born 3d mo. 23d, 1780, married John Townsend, and moved to Jefferson County, New York. Children: John, Robert, Mary, Ezra, Martha, Evan, and Abi. (24.) Hannah, born 2d mo. i6th, 1782, married Ben- jamin Kirkbride, of Jeft'erson County, New York. Chil- dren: George, Sarah, and Benjamin. (25.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 29th, 1785, married Jo- siah D. Banes, M. D. Children : S. Rodman, Rachel, and Mary. {26.) Joseph, born ist mo. 28th, 1788, married Esther Wiggins, of Newtown. He was a mason by trade, and obtained considerable celebrity on account of his fond- ness for fun and for playing mischievous pranks on his; 268 THE HISTORY OF associates. His children were William, Isaac, Louisa, and James. (27.) Elizabeth, born 6th mo. 15th, 1790, married Evan Townsend. Children : Thomas, Jacob, Abi, Mary, Mahlon, William, Sarah, and Martha. (11.) Samuel and Susan Carver's Children. (28.) Eli, married Martha Wilson. Children: George, Samuel, John, Joseph, Mary, Rachel, and Eli. (29.) Priscilla, died single. (30.) Rachel, married James Conrad, of Abington. (12.) Mahlon and Amy Carver's Children. (31.) Jane, married Philip Sagers. Children: Stephen, x\my, Rachel, Mahlon, John, Sarah, and William. (32.) Rachel, married William Cooper of the Falls. Children : Mahlon and Erwin. (33.) Sarah, died single. (28.) Eli and Martha Carver's Children. (34.) George, married Ann Myers, in 1834. Chil- dren: Mary, Martha, Jane, Jacob M., Charles R., Agnes, Wilmer, and Edwin. (35.) Samuel, married Elizabeth Croasdale. Chil- dren : George, Martha, Hannah, Rachel, John, and Eli. (36.) John, married Rebecca Whital. Children : Wil- liam, Ann, David, Charles, and George. (37.) Joseph, married Sarah 'Wood, of Ohio. Chil- dren: Mary, Jane, John, Amos, Phebe Ann, Emiline, Harvey, Joseph, Eli, and Adra. (38.) Mary, married Amos Croasdale. Children: Lydia, Emma, and Martha. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 26g' (39.) Rachel,, married William Reed, of Ohio. Chil- dren: Levi, David, Mary Elizabeth, Hannah, Jane, Eli^ Amos, Martha, Mary Emma, Wilmer, and George. (40.) Eli^ married Emiline Rogers. Children : George, Alexander, and Adra Ann. THE BROTHERS WILLIAM, JOSEPH, AND JACOB. (i.) William Carver, brother of (i) John, first set- tled where Edwin Tomlinson now lives, but afterwards traded his farm with Silas Walmsley for land in Bucking- ham, near the Green Tree, receiving two acres for one. He was married while in England, but his first wife, Jane, died in 1692, leaving a daughter, Sarah. William next married Mary . Children: William, Joseph,. Rachel, and Esther. ( I . ) VVilliani Carver's Children. (2.) Sarah, married John Rush, in 1707. (3.) William, married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Walmsley, and moved to Buckingham. Children : Wil- liam, Joseph, John, Jacob, Henry, and others. Many of William Carver's descendants now reside in Bucking- ham and Wrightstown, but we are unable to give any further account of them. Joseph Carver, brother of ( i ) John, moved to North Carolina, and settled on Carver's Creek, New Garden, where his descendants still reside. Jacob Carver, brother of (i) John, died unmarried, and was buried in the field back of the barn on the Carver homestead, there being no graveyards in those days. -270 THE HISTORY OF THE COMLY FAMILY.* (i.) Henry and Joan Comly, with their son Henry, came to Pennsylvania with William Penn in 1682. A family tradition says that Henry Comly had a brother Walter in England, who possessed a valuable estate, but had no children. It is also said that a person by the name of John Comly came to Pennsylvania from Bristol, Eng- land, and that he was a soldier in Braddock's army, but ^e have no further account of him. We therefore con- •clude that Henr}^ and Joan Comly were the first of that name who came to America, and that all of the now very •extended family of Comlys are descendants from them. They came from Bedminster, near Bristol, England, and were members of the Society of Friends. Persons by the name of Comly are frequently mentioned in the history of the persecutions of Friends in England, as having suf- fered imprisonment "for attending religious meetings and refusing to swear." Henry Comly was a weaver by trade, and settled in Warminster, Bucks County, on a tract of 500 acres. In the records of Middletown Meeting, then called "Neshaminah," we find that "Henry Comly was buried ye 14th day of ye 3d mo., 1684." "On the 2d day of the 1 2th mo. of the same year, 1684, at a Monthly Meeting of Friends of Tacony and Poetquessink, held at John Hart's house, Joseph English requested a certificate to take* Joan Comly, of the County of Bucks, and John Hart was ordered to write and sign it on behalf of the Meeting." * I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the genealogy of this family. * The words "in marriage" are wanting in the original document. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 27 1 Joseph and Joan, after having published their inten« tions of marriage at two successive meetings, "held at Neshaminah Creek, and none appearing to object," were married "at a Publique meeting held at John Otter's, in the presence of twelve witnesses, one of them being a Justice of the Peace," on the 26th day of ye 2d mo., 1685. The witnesses were Mary Eastman, John Otter, Edward Bennit, Robert Hall, John Boyden, Margaret Bbyden, Naomi Allen, Henry English, James Spencer, Elizabeth Otter, Rebekah Bennet, John Hust, Elizabeth Lundy, and Robert Rowe. Joseph English died 8th mo. loth, 1686, and his widow, Joan, "was buried at the meeting-house at Neshaminah, loth mo. 20th, 1689." Thus we find that within seven years after the arrival of this family in Pennsylvania, the father, mother, and stepfather of young Henry died, •SO that Friends were concerned "to extend to him, while yet in his minority, their care and assistance." Henry, son of Henry and Joan Comly, married Agnes, daughter of Robert and Alice Heaton, 8th mo. I7tb, 1695. Agnes was born 12th mo. 9th, 1677. The following is a copy of their marriage certificate: "Whereas, Henry Comley and Agnes Heaton, both of ye County of Bucks and Province of Pennsylvania, hav- ing declared their intentions of taking each other as hus- band and wife before several publick meetings of ye peo- ple of God, called Quakers, according to ye good order used among them; whose proceedings therein, after de- liberate consideration thereof, and consent of parties and relations concerned being approved by ye said meetings. 2^2 THE HISTORY OF and publication thereof having been made according to 3^e law of this Province; ''Now, these are to certifie all whom it may concern, yt for ye full determination of their said intentions, this seventeenth day of ye eighth month, in ye year one thou- sand six hundred and ninety and five, they, ye said Henry Comley and Agnes Heaton, appeared in a publick and solemn assemblie of ye aforesaid people at ye public meet- ing-house of Friends in Middletown, near Neshamina, in ye county and province aforesaid, met together for that end and purpose, according to the example of ye holy men of God recorded in ye Scriptures of Truth — he, the said Henry Comly, taking ye said x\gnes Heaton by ye hand, did openly declare as follows : 'Friends, in ye pres- ence of ye Lord I desire you to bear me witness, I take Agnes Heaton to be my wife, promising to be to her a loving and faithful husband till it please ye Lord by death to separate us.' And then and there in ye said assemblie, ye said Aignes Heaton did, in like manner, declare as fol« loweth : 'Friends, in ye presence of ye Lord, and before you his people, I take my friend Henry Comly to be my husband, promising to be a loving and faithful wife till ye Lord by death do separate us.' "And ye said Henry Comly and Agnes, now his wife, as a further confirmation thereof, did then and there to these presents set their hands. "Henery Comely. "Agnes Comely. "And we, whose names are hereunto subscribed as wit- nesses thereto, have also to these P'snts subscribed our hands ye day and year above written : BYBERRY AND MORELAND. '^71 "Robert [X] Heaton, Sr.,Joiin Darke, V/iLLiAM Paxson, Sr. Will Hayhurst Jonathan Scaife, Nicholas Walln, Ezra Crgasdill. Henry Paynter, James Faxson, William Pax son, Jr., John Cutler, Peter White, Peter Worrell, Jane Paxson, Mary Paxson, Sr., Isabel Cutler, Thomas Stackhouse, Sr. Rachel Bunting, Martin Wildman, Will Darke, John Crgasdill, Stephen Wilson, John Scarborough, John Bunting, John Cowgill, John Hough, Sarah Wilson, Mary Coat, Jane Sands, R A c IT el Po w n all, Abigail PowNxVLL, * Elizabeth White, Hannah Hough, Mary Paxson, On the nth of September, 1697, Robert Heaton deed- ed 300 acres of his estate in the Manor of Moreland to his son-in-law, Henry Comely, for the consideration of £72 15s. This place was called Green Brier Spring, and became the residence of Henry Comly, in whose family it has since continued. In the old family Bible brought from England by the first Henry Comly, and now in the possession of Willet A. Comly, we find the following record of the children of (2) Henry and Agnes Comly: Mary Comly, born 12th mo. 1 2th, 1699; Henry Comly, born 2d mo. 26th, 1702; Robert Comly, born 4th mo. 12th, 1704; John Comly, born 3d mo. 20th, 1706; Joseph Comly, born August 8, 18 274 THE HISTORY OF 1708; Walter Comly, born November 12, 17 10; Agnes Comly, born February 20, 171 3; James Comly, born June 14, 1715; Isaac Comly, born June 4, 1717; Grace Comly, born January 24, 1721. Henry Comly was very active both in civil and religious matters, and his name frequently appears on the records of the Meeting and in the civil afifairs of the neighbor- hood. He died ist mo. (March) i6th, 1727, aged 53 years. His will was dated March (ist mo.) 13th, 1727, and by it he gave his farm of 292 acres in Warminster to his sons Robert and James. The Moreland estate was divided among Henry, Joseph, and Walter, and the farm adjoining, now owned by Benjamin Tomlinson, was left to John. His personal property was appraised 2d mo. 13th, 1727, by Bartholomew Longstreet and Joseph Gil- bert, and in it we find the following items: "A negro girl, £20; a negro boy, £30." Agnes (Heaton) Comly was "a woman of small sta- ture, possessed of a good stock of common sense, and quite active even in advanced life, so that she could per- form the duties of her household or ride on horseback with nearly as much ease as in her youthful days." She died loth mo. (December) 30th, 1743, aged 66 years. Her will is dated 20th of December (loth mo.), 1743. In the appraisement of her property we find: "One negro, Phillis, £28; a negro boy, Wallis, £14." DESCENDANTS OF MARY, DAUGHTER OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Mary Comly married, first, Thomas Harding, and settled near the Buck, in Bucks County. Children: BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 275 Mary, Thomas, Henry, John, Abraham, and Isaac. She married, second, George Randall, in 1745. Children: Jacob, George, Sarah, and Elizabeth. (2.) Mary, daughter of (i) Mary, married Isaac Stackhouse, of Middletown, in 1743. She died 3d mo. 4th, 1782. Children: Thomas, Jonathan, John, Isaac, Ann, and Martha. Isaac and (2) Mary Stackhouse' s Children. (3.) Thomas, married Plannah White. Children: Thomas, Isaac, Mary, and Ann. (4.) Jonathan, married Grace, daughter of Stephen Comfort. (5.) John, married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Knight, in 1781. (6.) Isaac, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Townsend, in 1782. (7.) Ann, married John Gilbert, in 1768; died Janu- ary, 1839. (8.) Mart?ia, died single, 3d mo. 4th, 1782. descendants of henry, son of henry and AGNES COMLY. (t.) Henry Comly, married Phebe, daughter of Jos- eph Gilbert, of Byberry, 7th mo. 26th, 1728, and settled on the old homestead in Moreland. He died 9th mo. 21st, 1772, aged 71 years, and Phebe died 2d mo. 14th, 1773, aged 72 years. Children: Mary, Rachel, Henry, Phebe, Joseph, Jonathan and Joshua (twins), and Rebecca. 276 THE HISTORY OF I ( I . ) Henry and Phebe Comly's Children. (2.) Mary, born 7th mo. 23d, 1730; died 5th mo. 8th, 1750. (3.) Rachel, born loth mo. 25th, 1732; died single, 8th mo. 6th, 1797. (4.) Henry, born 3d mo. .7th, 1734, married Rachel Strickland. Children: Jonathan, Mary (who died in in- fancy), Phebe, Mary, Rachel, and Sarah. (5.) Phebe, born 2d mo. 15th, 1737, married John Swift, in 1764. She had one son, Edward, who died of typhus fever 12th mo. 28th, 181 3, leaving a widow and several children. Phebe died ist mo. 2d, 18 14, aged nearly y6 years. (6.) Joseph, born 3d mo. loth, 1740, married Eleanor Buzby. In the Revolutionary War he joined the British, and in consequence, had to leave the neighborhood. He went to Long Island, where he died at Thomas Hallefs house, 8th mo. loth, 1788. It is believed that his estate was confiscated. Children: Jesse, and Henry and Jacob (twins). (7.) Jonathan, born ist mo. 25th, 1741, married Rachel, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, in 1767. They first settled on property now owned by Benjamin Tom- linson, but in 1788 went to Philadelphia. In 1795 they returned to the farm in Moreland, where Rachel died 4th mo. i8th, 1804. Children: Thomas, Grace, Henry (all of whom probably died young), Jonathan, Joshua, and Elizabeth. (8.) Joshua, born ist mo. 25th, 1741, married Cath- arine, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Willet, in 1766. WATSON COMLY. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 2JJ He was very useful in the affairs of the neighborhood, and was for many years a Justice of the Peace, in which position his correct judgment and honesty of purpose gained him many friends. He died 4th mo. 20th, 1830, aged 89 years; and Catharine, his wife, died 7th mo. 30th, 1826, aged "jd years. Children : Rebecca, Elizabeth. Mary, Phebe, Hannah, Margaret, Joshua and Samuel (twins), Elizabeth, James, Willet, and Franklin. (9O Rebecca, born 8th mo. 6th, 1746; no further ac- coimt. (4.) Henry and Rachel Comly's Children. (10.) Jonathan, was born 12th mo. 3d, 1756. He was thrown from his horse while a young man, by which his faculties were injured. He remained smgle, and died at his uncle Joshua Comly's house 9th mo. 26th, 1822. (11.) Phebe, born 12th mo. loth, 1758, married Rob- ert Field. Children : Benjamin and Levi. (12.) Mary, born ist mo. 26th, 1761, married Hum- phrey Waterman. She died 8th mo. 27th, 1817. leaving one son, Gilbert. (13.) Rachel, born nth mo. 29th, 1766, married Fli Shoemaker. She wa$ an authoress, and contributed sev- eral poetical essays to the "Saturday Evening Post." over the signature of "Ellen." A volume of her essays, called "The Minstrel's Lyre," was published in Philadelphia in 1827. (14.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 17th, 1768, married James Cooper, uncle of James Fennimore Cooper, in 1792. They removed to the northern part of the State of New York. She died in 1827, aged 59 years. Children: Courtland> 278 THE HISTORY OF Comly, William, James, Henry, Sarah Ami, Hamilton,. George, and Strickland. (6.) Joseph and Eleanor Comly' s Children. (15.) Jesse, married Tacy Buzby and settled on a part of the old Comly tract in Moreland, where he died nth mo. 18, 1832. Children: William B., Eleanor, Courtland, Benjamin, Mary Ann, Jackson P., and Robert. (16.) Henry, married Rebecca, daughter of General Worrell, of Frankford. He died 5th mo. 17th, 1822. Children : James, Elizabeth, Isaac, Eleanor, and Joseph H. (17.) Jacob, left no children. (7.) Jonathan and Rachel Comly' s Children. (18.) Jonathan, married Elizabeth Blakey, and had one son, William. They resided for several years where Benjamin Tomlinson now lives, but afterwards settled in Byberry. He was a man of uprightness and integrity,, and was respected by all who knew him. He was remark- ably even-tempered, and in his latter days never appeared to be discomposed or irritated. He said that he did not meet with anything worth being angry about. The har- mony which existed between him and his twin brother Joshua was such, that for many years, seldom a day pass- ed without their being together. He died 4th mo. 16th, 1826, aged 84 years, and was buried at Byberry. (19.) Joshua, married . Children: Jonathan, Thomas, George W., and Harriet. (20.) Elizabeth, married Dr. John Worthingtoft. Children: Rachel, who married Amos Wilson; Robert; BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 2/9 Mary Elizabeth, who married Samuel Williams ; and Jon- athan, who was drowned at Bridgewater. (8.) Joshua and Catharine Comly's Children. (21.) Rebecca, born 2d mo. 5th, 1767; died 2d mo. 1st, 1768. (22.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. 28th, 1769; died 6th mo. 2 1 St, 1784. (23.) Mary, born ist mo. 13th, 1772; died 9th mo. 1 2th, 1792. (24.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 19th, 1774, married Elijah Thomas. Of their children, Sarah only remains. She married John Walton, who owns the mill at Huntingdon Valley. Phebe was buried at Abington nth mo.' 22d, 1843. (25.) Hannah, born 6th mo. 2d, 1777, married Wal- ter Mitchell, of Middletown, in 1799. She was a minis- ter in the Society of Friends, and died in Ohio. Children : Charles, who was a member of Congress ; Joshua, James, Walter, Mary, Catharine, and Hannah. (26.) Margaret, born 8th mo. 15th, 1780, married Joseph Ogelby, and settled in Lancaster. Children: Charles, Willet Comly, Joseph, Joshua, Samuel, Franklin, Susan, and Mary. (2y.) Joshua and Samuel (twins), were born nth mo. 28th, 1783. Joshua died the same day. Samuel mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Ryner Lukens. He died 8th mo. 2d, 1835, without children. {2^,) Elizabeth, born 8th mo. 28th, 1785; died same day. 28o THE HISTORY OF (29.) James, born loth mo. 23d, 1787, married Eliza Eyre, and first settled at Walton's Mill, on the Penny- pack. This he sold in 1831, and bought a farm near the Fox-chase, where he resided until his death, in 1837. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and a Justice of the Peace, and was held in high estimation by those who knew him. Children : Franklin ( President of the North Pennsylvania Railroad Company), Joshua, Samuel, and Sarah. (30.) WiLLET, born 1790; died 8th mo. 23d, 1797. (31.) Franklin, born 7th mo. i8th, 1794, married first, Mary Austin, in 1825, and settled on the old Comly homestead in IMoreland, where he resided during the re- mainder of his life. Children : Willet, Ellen, and Anna. Mary died 6th mo. 25th, 1834, and in 1836 Franklin married, second, Martha Downing, of Bristol. He was Prothonotary of the District Court in Philadelphia, and for many years a Justice of the Peace and President of the Independent IMutual Fire Insurance Company. Few men occupied a more prominent position in the civil and political affairs of the neighborhood, and none were more highly respected for uprightness and integrity than Frank- lin Comly. DESCENDANTS OF ROBERT, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMIA'. (i.) Rob?:rt Coa^.ly was born in Byberry, in 1706. He married Jane Cadwalader, the preacher, at Horsham, 9th mo., 1727, and settled in Byberry, where he remained until 1730. He then moved to Warminster, and after- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 28I wards to Horsham, to a place since owned by Isaac Parry. He was for many years an Overseer in Horsham Meet- ing, and was a much respected member. He died 3d mo., 1770, aged 64 years. Children: Robert, Agnes, Jane, Grace, Martha, and Mary. (i.) Robert and Jane Comly's Children. (2.) Robert, born loth mo., 1729, married Sarah Jones. Children: Ezra, John, Robert, Nathan, Clement, Sarah, Agnes, Jane, Rebecca, Charlotte, Hannah, Susan, and Elizabeth. (3.) Agnes, married Samuel Shoemaker, near the Bil- let, where they resided 62 years. They were exemplary members of society, and having abundant means, provid- ed for many destitute orphans and others in needy cir- cumstances. Robert died in his 97th year, and Agnes in her 90th year. They left no children. (4.) Jane, married Nathan Lukens. Children : Lydia, Abraham, Agnes, and Nathan. (5.) Grace, married, first, Isaac Parry, of Horsham. Children: Amy, Isaac, Samuel, Robert, Joseph, and Martha. She married, second, Samuel Conard, of Hor- sham. She died of cancer at Jesse Wilson's, in Byberry, 7th mo. 22d, 1822, aged 75 years. (6.) Martha, married, first, David Parry. They lived at Fair Hill, and had one child, David. She married, second, John Shoemaker, of Shoemakertown ; no chil- dren. David married Elizabeth, daughter of Mordecai Thomas, of Horsham, leaving five children. (7.) Mary, married Benjamin Shoemaker, of Chelten- 282 THE HISTORY OF ham. She died 3d mo. 17th, 1793. Children: Levi S.^ Robert, Nathan, Abraham, Benjamin, Amy, Mary, Sam- uel, Eli, Jane, Jacob, Rebecca, James, and Comly. (2.) Robert and Sarah Comly' s Children. (8.) Ezra, married Hannah Iredell, in 1779, and had sixteen children : Charles, Sarah, Hannah, Robert, Abra- ham, Gaynor, Ezra, Thomas, Rachel, Rebecca, Tacy, Ann, Iredell, George, Seth, and Martha. Of the descendants of Ezra Comly we know but little. His son Charles was a merchant in Philadelphia, and afterwards moved to Milton, on the Susquehanna, where he died in 1840, leav- ing the following children : Lucy, Joshua, Charles, Seth^ and Aaron. Ezra died at his son Charles's, in 1832, aged 78 years. (9.) JoHr>r, married Martha Shallcross, and settled on the Bristol Road, near Frankford. Children: Samuel, John W., Robert, Thomas, and Joseph. (10.) Robert, went with the refugees to Nova Scotia, where he died in 1837. Children: Robert, John, and Elizabeth. (11.) Nathan, married, first, Sarah Kirk, 9th mo., 1 782, and lived on the Welsh Road, near Horsham. Chil- dren : Elizabeth, Sarah, who married John Tyson, Lydia, Agnes, and Jerusha, who married Jesse Tomlinson. He married, second, Elizabeth Marple, 9th mo., 1795. Chil- dren : Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Cadwalader ; Abner, who married Margaret Hallowell; Lydia, who married Ezekiel Tyson; Hannah; Nathan; John M., who married Mary Ann Tyson; Daniel, who married Catha- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 285 rine Fitzwater ; and Joseph, who married Elizabeth Cad- walader. (12.) Clement^ married Rebecca Jones. Children: Isaac, Henry, Ann, Keziah, Zebedee, Sarah, Clement,. Amos, Joseph, and Alfred. (13.) Sarah^ married Isaac Wood. (14.) Agnes, died single. (15.) Jane_, married Joseph Ratcliff. Children: John, Robert, Seth, Rodolph, William, Sarah, Rebecca, and Susan. (16.) Rebecca, married Dennis Conard. Children: Martha and George. (17.) Charlotte, married Thomas Ashton. Chil- dren : Sarah, Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth. (18.) Hannah, married, first, John Rush. Children: Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, Hannah, Louisa, and Mary. She married, second, Ashton. (19.) Susan, married Dr. Van Court, but had na children. (20.) Elizabeth, married Benjamin Griffith. Chil- dren : Benjamin, Samuel, and Comly. Nathan and (4) Jane Luken's Children. (21.) Lydia, married Thomas Livezey, of Spring Mills, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. {22.) Abraham, married, and lived in Philadelphia. (23.) Agnes, married Jackson, and lived in Phil- adelphia. (24.) Nathan, married Matilda Bracken, and lived in Horsham. 284 THE HISTORY OF Isaac and ( 5 ) Grace Parry's Children. (25.) Amy^ married Jesse Wilson. Children: Rachel, Elizabeth, Amos, Grace, and Jane. {26.) IsAAC^ married Ruth Conard, and lived in Phila- delphia. {2y.) Samuel, married Martha Thomas, and had one child, Samuel. (28.) Robert, married, first, Sarah Page; second. Sarah Pope. (29.) Joseph, married Sarah, daughter of Naylor WebvSter. He first settled in Horsham, but afterwards went out West. Benjamin and (7) Mary Shoemaker's Children. (30.) Nathan, married Sarah, the daughter of Solo- mon Miller. He was a tanner by trade. They left seven -children. (31.) Robert, married Martha Leech, and lived in Philadelphia. He died in early life. Children : Richard M., and two others. (32.) Benjamin, married Jane Allen, of Bucks County, and left four children. (33.) Amy, married Benjamin Harper. She died young, leaving one child. (34.) Mary, married Thomas Shoemaker. Children: Dr. N. Shoemaker, and two others. (35.) Eli, married Rachel Comly, of Byberry. He died young, leaving one child. (36.) Rebecca, married Atkinson Rose, and left three sons, of whom John S. Rose, of Frankford, was one. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 285 (37.) CoMLYj married the daughter of Albrick Bird^ and widow of George Shoemaker, Jr., but had no chil- dren. They lived near Shoemakertown. (38.) Jane, married x\nthony, son of William Hallo- well, of Abington. Children: Benjamin, Mary S. (Lip- pincott), Caleb, James, and Joseph, the latter two de- ceased. (9.) John and Martha Comly's Children. (39.) Samuel, established the Comlyville Printworks, near Frankford. He married Elizabeth Ann FolwelL Children: Nathan Folwell, Samuel, Rebecca, John, Rob- ert, Thomas, Joseph, William Folwell, Stephen Girard^ Mary Pancoast, and Elizabeth Ann. {-\o.') Jo TIN W., moved to the West. (41.) Robert, married Esther Shallcross, and lived in Oxford Township, Philadelphia. (42.) Thomas and Joseph, deceased, without chil- dren. DESCENDANTS OF JOHN, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) John Comly was born 3d mo. 20th, 1706. He married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin Mason, of Fair Hill, 4th mo. 20th, 1728. They first settled on the farm now owned by Benjamin Tomlinson, in Moreland.^^ In 1738 he exchanged with his brother, James, for a farm on the County Line. In 1754 he obtained a certificate for himself and family to Falls Monthly Meeting. He after- wards lived on Walter Comly's farm, near vSmithfield,. " This property is now owned by Barnard Lawler. :?86 THE HISTORY OF and subsequently between Frank ford and Germantown, where he died, ist mo. 15th, 1761, and was buried at Frankford. He was not successful in business, and left l)ut little property behind him. Hannah, his wife, was born 3d mo. 31st, 17 10, and died at the residence of her son Jacob, in Byberry, 12th mo. 8th, 1782. Children: Abigail, Henry, Abraham, Isaac, Agnes, Jacob, John, Hannah, Mary, Gaynor, and Susanna. (i.) John and Hannah Comly's Children. (2.) Abigail^ born 6th mo. i6th, 1730; died at her iDrother's residence in York County, 6th mo. 12th, 18 12. (3.) Henry, born 12th mo., 1731 ; died in 1756. (4.) Abraham,, born 12th mo., 1733, was married in 1763. He died of yellow fever, in 1793. Children: Ben- jamin and John. They were both noted as skillful water- men about Camden and Cooper's Point, and both left fam- ilies. (5.) Isaac, born ist mo. 13th, 1735, married Sarah Huston, loth mo., 1761, and settled near Darby, where he died, in 18 12. Children: Timothy, John, Isaac, Jos- eph, Isaiah, Israel, Charles, Mary, and Hannah. (6.) Agnes, born 3d mo. 13th, 1738; died in 1760. (7.) Jacob, born 3d mo. 17th, 1740, married Sarah Thornburg, of York County, Pennsylvania. They first lived in Philadelphia; then at a mill on the Pennypack, and next on a farm in Byberry. He subsequently re- moved to Huntingdon, in York County, where he died, 6th mo. 2 1 St, 1 82 1, aged 82 years. His wife died a few years previous. Children : Samuel, Jesse, and Susanna. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 287 (8.) John, born ist mo. 13th, 1743, married Mary — . They first settled in Byberry, but afterwards mov- €d to Drinker's Alley, in Philadelphia, where he died, in 1792, aged 49 years. Mary died nth mo. 21st, 1819. Children : David, Richard, Abigail, and Mary. (9.) Hannah, born 7th mo. nth, 1746; died in 1760. (10.) Mary, born 9th mo. 9th, 1747, married - — ^ Robinson, and lived in Brewer's Alley, Philadelphia. She died 1 2th mo. i, 1828, aged 81 years, leaving one child, Mary. (11.) Gaynor, born 7th mo. 15th, 1751 ; died young. (12.) Susanna, lx)rn 5th mo. 4th, 1753, married Christopher Smith, a schoolmaster, in 1780, and died the next year. (5.) Isaac and Sarah Comly's Children. (13.) John, died of small-pox, aged 22 years, leaving one daughter. (14.) Isaac, died at Plymouth, in 181 2, leaving sev- eral children. (15.) Mary, married Perot. (16.) Hannah, married Lawrence Lowry. (7.) Jacob and Sarah Comly's Children. (17.) Samuel, married Susanna Wireman. He re- moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and remained there until his death. His children were Sarah, Ezra, Hannah, Phebe, Lydia, William, and Isaac. (18.) Jesse, married Naomi Howell. He removed to Juniata in 1833. Children: Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, Ellen, Jesse, and John. 288 THE HISTORY OF (19.) Susanna, married Wierman. Children: Thomas, PTannah, and Sarah. DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Joseph Comly, was born 8th mo. 8th, 1708. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Mason, and settled in Moreland, on a farm lately owned by Judge Sommer,^^ about 1730. He was remarkably healthy, and was never sick except it was for a few days previous to his death. He was very fond of strong drink, and fre- quently drank a quart of rum at one time without becom- ing intoxicated. This he always called "small beer." He wore stockings without any feet, and went without a coat or upper jacket in winter time. He removed to Gun- powder, Md., and not asking for a certificate from By- berry Monthly Meeting, of which he was a member, they, in 1759, sent one after him. Previous to this time he had sold his farm, and in old age owned no property. In 1774, he went to Joshua Comly's house apparently in good health, but said he was come to die in his old lodg- ing-room over the kitchen. Shortly afterward he was taken sick, and died in about four weeks from the time of his arrival there, at the age of sixty-six years. During his illness his mind was composed, and he had no fear of death. He said he never swore an oath in his life, never wronged any man out of a penny, and never told a falsehood to the injury of any person. Some who were well acquainted with him said they had no reason to "This is now the residence of Enoch Taylor. • BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 289 doubt his assertions. How many who have made far greater pretensions towards possessing religion than he, could with truth adopt the language of Joseph Comly? He was very strong: could put a barrel of cider in a wagon with ease, and take one that was full on his knees and drink out of the bung. His vocal powers were aston- ishing. On one occasion some of his family started to go to market in the night, but after they had gone some time the old man recollected he had forgotten to send for a keg of nails by them; he, therefore, called to them and mentioned what he wanted. They heard him, al- though three miles off, and attended to his request. When going to visit his relations he would, when within about two miles, call to them, that they might know he was com- ing. He was a great walker, and always went to Gun- powder on foot, which he called an evening's walk. When making the journey he carried his bread, cheese, and a bottle of rum, and ate, drank, and slept by the roadside. His wife died about 1757, and he died 6th mo. 21, 1774, aged 66 years. (i.) Joseph and Elisabeth Comly's Children. (2.) Agnes^ born 4th mo. 2d, 1732, married Evan Roberts. (3.) Abigail^ born 8th mo. 15th, 1733, married David Hallowell. (4.) Joseph, born ist mo. 9th, 1735, married Rachel Edwards, and had one daughter, "Dumb Becky." He was a soldier in the French and Indian War in 1755, but escaped unhurt. He died in Byberry 2d mo. 19th, 181 1. Rachel died 4th mo. 9th, 181 5. 19 290 THE HISTORY OF (5.) Richard, born 4th mo. ist, 1737, was a soldier in the French and Indian War, and during the famous retreat of Braddock was taken sick. He was left sitting on a log, and was never heard of afterwards. (6.) Susanna, born 5th mo. 15th, 1740, married Sam- uel Shute. She died in 1802. (7.) Walter, born nth mo. 13th, 1742; no further account. (8.) Benjamin, born 2d mo. 17th, 1744; no further account. (9.) Elizabeth, born ist mo. Sth, 1746, married Ben- jamin Tomlinson, and moved to Huntingdon, York County, Pa., where she died in 1817, aged 70 years. (10.) Sarah, born 12th mo. 28th, 1748: died single, 4th mo. 9th, 1 8 10, aged 60 years. descendants of WALTER, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Walter Comly married Susanna, daughter of Benjamin Mason, ist mo., 1731. He settled on a farm in Moreland, now owned by John Lingerman, but after- wards purchased the farm back of Somerton, now be- longing to William T. Ervin, where he died 3d mo. 20th, 1759, aged 49 years. Susanna, his widow, married Wil- liam Walmsley, 6th mo., 1764. She died 5th mo. 30th, 1795, aged 81 years, having been an Elder in Byberry meeting forty-two years. (i.) Walter and Susanna Comly' s C hud) en. (2.) Walter; no account. (3.) Susanna; no account. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 29 1 (4.) Thomas, who died young (5.) Martha, born ist mo. 20th, 1746, married Silas Vv^'alinbley, 6th mo., 1765. Children: William, Jesse, and Silas Silas and (5) Martha Walmsley's Children. (6.) William, born 7th mo. i8th, 1766, married, first, Phebe, daughter of Giles Knight. She died 8th mo. 18th, 1808. Children: Silas, Ann, and Martha. William mar- ried, second, Margery, daughter of Evan Townsend. Children: Robert and Jesse. (7.) Jesse, married Mary, daughter of James Paul. Children : Martha, James, Susanna, Elizabeth, Ezra, Han- nah, and Mary. DESCENDANTS OF AGNES, DAUGHTER OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Agnes Comi,y, married Nicholas Randall, in 1738. They lived on Duffield's farm in Moreland for sev- eral years. She died, Qth mo. 22d, 1779, and he died in 1783. Children: Comly, Thomas, Jonathan, Nathan, Rachel, Thomas, Mary, and Nicholas. Nicholas and (i) Agnes Randall's Children. (2.) CoMLY, born 12th mo. 9th, 1738; married Mary Phinny, in 1753. Children, Agnes, Martha, and Jonathan. (3.) Thomas, born 8th mo. loth, 1740, died in 1743. (4.) Jonathan, born 3d mo. 17th, 1742, died in 1748. (5.) Natpian, born 8th mo. 12th, 1743, died in 1748. {6.) xvAchel, born nth mo. 21st, 1745, died in 1748. 292 THE HISTORY OF (7.) Thomas, born 5th mo. 13th, 1748, died in 1783. (8.) Mary,, born 12th mo. 22d, 175 1, married Joshua Gilbert in 1771. They settled on a farm in Byberry, now owned by Thomas Tames. Mary died 3d mo. 13th, ]8i2, aged 60 years, and Joshua died 6th mo. 18th, 1833, ^g^^ ^6 years. Children: Phehe, Benjamin, Tacy, Thomas, Joshua, David, Beulah, Agnes, and Ezra. (9.) Nicholas, married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Townsend. Children: Thomas, Jesse, Agnes, who mar- ried Jacob Myers, and Mary, who married David Clay- ton. descendants of JAMES, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) James Comly, married Mary, daughter of John Paul, in 1738. Mary was born ist mo. 28th, 17 18. She was an approved minister in the Society of Friends. They first settled in Warminster, but in 1758 removed to Gun- powder, Maryland. After the death of James, Mary re- turned to Byberry, where she frequently preached. Chil- dren: Jacob, James, David, Jonathan, John, Rachel, and Mary. (i.) James and Mary Comly's Children. (2.) Jacob, born nth mo. 8th, returned from Mary- land in 1770, and married Rachel, widow of his cousin, Henry Comly. For many years he kept a hotel on the turnpike below Somerton, late the Leedom estate. ^^ He afterwards moved to Philadelphia, and, with the consent of such heirs as could be found, obtained the city lot " This property is now owned by Harry Roberts. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 293 granted to Henry Comly by William Penn. He died near Abington, 9th mo. 21st, 1825, aged 87 years, leaving no children. (3.) James^ married Charity Hooker of Maryland. Children : John ; Mary, who married Nicholas Merryman, of Jefferson County, Ohio ; Joshua, who moved to Madi- son, Indiana ; Charity, who married Mordecai Price, near Baltimore, Maryland; David, who died near Baltimore; Nancy, who married Pettyf ord, of Baltimore ; Eliza- beth and Dobino, both deceased ; Sabret and James, who married daughters of David Comly, near Lancaster, Ken- tucky ; Sally, married Doughty ; Rachel, married to Johnson ; and Eleanor, who married her cousin Absalom, of Madison, Indiana. (4.) David, moved to Madison, Indiana. Children: John, Absalom, James, and three daughters. (5.) Jonathan, died unmarried. (6.) John, moved to Ohio. Children: Rachel, Mary, Hannah, Sarah, Eleanor, Rebecca, James, John, Joshua, and David. descendants of ISAAC, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Isaac Comly, was born in Moreland, in 1717. He married Abigail, daughter of Thomas Walmsley, 2d mo., 1738, and settled in the village of Smithfield. He lived in a hip-roofed house, which had, on a stone in the wall near the door, the inscription, "I. C, 1744." This house was removed only a few years since, having stood nearly one hundred years. They afterward moved to a 294 THE HISTORY OF place near the present residence of Silas Vanarsdalen/^ where Isaac died, in 1748, aged thirty-three years. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that busi- ness through life. His children were Agnes ; Isaac, born in 1 74 1, died in 1743; Isaac, and William. Abigail, his widow, married Richard Walton, in 1753. Children: Joseph, born in 1754, and Esther, born in 1755. (i.) Isaac and Abigail Comly's Children. (2.) Agnes, born nth mo. 2d, 1738, married John Duncan, in 1759. He died loth mo. 6th, 1772, aged 51 years. Children: Abigail, Rachel, Esther, and Phebe. In 1793, Agnes married Andrew Singley, of White Sheet Bay, on the Delaware. He died in 18 14, aged 72 years; and Agnes died in 1821, aged 83 years. (3.) Isaac, was born at Smithfield, 9th mo. 25th, 1743. When about five years old he lost his father. After this event he and his mother went to live with her father on the farm lately owned by Charles Walmsley. In 1753, his mother married Richard W^alton, and he resided in that family until 1771, when he married Asenath, daughter of John and Ann Hampton, of Wrightstown. They took a farm in the western part of Byberry, where they resided two years, after which they purchased of Thomas Knight a farm of about one hundred and forty acres, near the centre of Byberry, where they permanently settled. By a regular course of industry and economy, Isaac and Asenath Comly accumulated considerable property and brought up a large family of children, most of whom have " This property is now owned by Albert Buckman. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 295 since figured conspicuously in the affairs of the township of Byberry. Isaac Comly was not ambitious of fame, and never sought after popularity, his object being to attend to his own business, leaving to others the cares and re- sponsibilities of public life. He was a member of the religious Society of Friends, and always bore an unex- ceptionable character among them. His wife was an Elder in the Meeting, and was much respected. Their children were Martha, John, Joseph, Isaac, Ezra, Ethan, and Jason. He died 8th mo. 3d, 1822, aged seventy-nine; and his wife 3 mo. 3d, 1826, aged seventy-seven years. (3.) Isaac and Asenath Comly' s Children. (4.) Martha, born 12th mo. 29th, 1771, married Evan T. Knight. They lived in Bensalem, where he died 2d mo. 6th, 1841 ; and she died 7th mo. 29th, 1851. Children: Isaac and Phebe. (5.) John, was born in Byberry, nth mo. 19th, 1773. He was carefully brought up according to the rules of the Society of Friends, and at an early age, while yet a school-boy, manifested a great interest in the Society, and exhibited those traits of humility and tenderness which so eminently characterized him through life. In 1792 he was placed under Samuel Jones, the Baptist minister at Pennypack, to study the Latin and Greek languages, where he remained until the spring of 1794. He then engaged as a teacher in Byberry School, where he con- tinued until 1 80 1, when he resigned, and from a sense of duty engaged as a teacher in Westtown Boarding School. In 1802 he resigned that situation and returned to his 296 THE HISTORY OF native place, and in the following spring again took charge of Byberry School. In 6th mo. 1803, he married Rebecca, daughter of Dr. Stacy Budd, of Mount Holly, N. J., and settled on a farm lately purchased in Byberry. In 1804 he opened a boarding-school for girls at his residence, which was successfully continued until 18 10, and was then changed into a school for boys and young men, and con- tinued till 181 5. His literary works are as follows : "Eng- lish Grammar," published in 1803; ''Spelling Rook," in 1806; 'Trimer," in 1807; and ''Reader and book of Use- ful Knowledge,", in 1840. Some of these have passed through several editions, and still have an extensive sale throughout the whole country. He was also the author of several essays upon moral subjects, which were published in the journals of that day. He was subsequently en- gaged, along with his brother Isaac, in publishing a periodical called "Friends' Miscellany," which was con- tinued through a series of years, and has been the means of preserving many valuable records, biographical sketches, historical notes, and other matters of peculiar interest. John Comly appeared as a minister in the So- ciety of Friends in 1810; and his labors being approved by the Monthly Meeting, he was recommended in 181 3. Besides his services at. home, he frequently made religious visits, which extended to New England, New York, Ohio, Maryland, and other places, and which tended greatly to inculcate the peaceable principles of Friends. Several of his sermons were stenographically reported by Marcus T. Gould, and afterward published. He was also eminently useful as a surveyor, and was often able to satisfactorily settle conflicting claims and disputes among his neighbors. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 29/ He died at his residence in Byberry, 8th mo. 17th, 1850, after an illness of only a few hours, aged nearly y^j years. His wife died 8th mo. 9th, 1832.^^ Their children were Stacy, Ann, Charles, Sarah, and Emmor. (6.) Joseph, was born in Byberry, 12th mo. i6th, 1775. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which business he followed for several years, and afterward settled on a part of his father's farm. In 1800 he built a commod- ious house, the one now occupied by his son, Watson Comly; and in the latter part of the same year was mar- ried to x\bigail, daughter of Jonathan Parry. She died in 1805. Children: Asenath, Phebe, and James. In 1807 he married Rachel, daughter of Dr. John Watson, of Buckingham. He had a taste for mechanical pursuits, and was the first to introduce several important improve- .ments, in those matters, into the townships. He became quite noted for moving buildings, such as houses, barns, etc. ; and, from a record kept by him, he moved one hun- dred and sixty-five buildings in the course of twenty years. He published several essays in the Evening Fireside and other periodicals, wrote several journals of his travels, and collected considerable historical matter of local inter- est. He was a very useful man, and highly respected by all who knew him. He died in Byberry, 2d mo. 5th, 1854, aged 78 years. His wife. Rachel, died 2d mo. 3d, 1839. (7.) Isaac, born in Byberry, 3d mo. 21st, 1779. He "John Comly kept a journal or diary of his travels which was published after his death. It contains many interesting facts relat- ing to Byberry. 298 THE HISTORY OF was apt at learning while a youth ; and, without any other advantages than those afforded by the neighboring school,, fitted himself for the duties of a teacher. In 1794 he com- menced as an usher under his brother John, at Byberry, and in 1797 engaged as an assistant with Samuel Com- fort, of Middletown. He remained here until 3d mo., 1798, when he took charge of the school at Buckingham for one year. He removed to Horsham in 1799, and in the latter part of the same year to Ancocas, New Jersey,, where he continued teaching school for two years. Dur- ing part of 1 80 1 he taught at Mansfield's Neck; and in 1802 took a school at Newton, New Jersey, where he remained until 1809, when he relinquished the business. He then spent some time in traveling; and in 181 1 was married to Meribah, daughter of John and Rebecca Bar- ton, of Newton, New Jersey. Soon after his marriage he opened a store in Byberry, which was continued until about 1822, when he moved to the old homestead, where he spent the remainder of his life in tilling the soil. He was a clerk at Byberry Monthly Meeting for many years, and afterward an Elder. As a writer, he ranks second to none who has ever resided in the townships, his informa- tion extending to nearly every branch of literature; and his numerous essays, prose and poetical, which were pub- lished in several of the best periodicals of the day, and which were extensively copied, exhibit a talent of no ordinary merit. Among those articles we notice many sketches of these townships, and it is to Isaac Comly that we are indebted for much of the present history. Besides these fugitive pieces, he published a reading book for schools, entitled "Easy Lessons for Juvenile Readers," in BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 299 1807; the ^Thiladelphia Primer," in 1808; "A New As- sistant," in 1809, and was one of the editors of the "Friends* Miscellany." His great delight, however, seems to have been among the musty records of bygone- times; and to hunt up and note down every particular relative to family and local history, was one of the chief employments of his life. He collected much toward a history of his native and surrounding townships, and traced out the genealogy of many of the most prominent families who have resided in the vicinity. He was fre- quently applied to by those wishing information of this kind, and they were seldom disappointed. Being of an amiable disposition, and just in his dealings, he was hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. The even tenor of his life was rarely disturbed by surrounding circum- stances, and he passed through the scenes of this world in peace and contentment. He died at his farm in Byberry, loth mo. 19th, 1847, aged 69 years. His widow died nth mo. 8th, 1862. Children: Mary and Robert. (8.) Ezra, born in Byberry, 9th mo. 3d, 1781. He married Sarah Strickland, in 1804. He resided in By- berry for several years, after which he moved to Black River, in the northern part of New York. In 18 — he returned to Byberry, where he spent the rest of his life. He died 8th mo. 27th, 1863 ; and Sarah died ist mo. 17th,. 1855. Children: Elizabeth and Isaac. (9.) Ethan^ born 5th mo. 31st, 1784, remained in Byberry until 1804, when he removed to Philadelphia and became a merchant. He wrote several excellent miscel- laneous articles for the public papers. On account of an affection of the spine, he was induced to cultivate his taste 300 THE HISTORY OF for drawing, so that he acquired very great skill and pro- ficiency in that art. He was a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, and was much respected by all who knew him. He died 6th mo. 13th, 1865. Children: Allen, Eliza, and Henry. DESCENDANTS OF GRACE, DAUGHTER OF HENRY AND AGNES COMLY. (i.) Grace Comly, married, first, Benjamin, son of John Cadwalader, the preacher, in 1742, and settled on a farm adjoining Horsham Meeting-house. Benjamin died 4th mo. 14th, 1753. Children: Rachel, Phebe, Ben- jamin, and Cyrus. Grace married, second, Benjamin Powers. She died ist mo., 1800, aged 79 years. Children by her last husband, Mary and Grace. Benjamin and ( i ) Grace Cadwalader^ s Children. (2.) Rachel, born 6th mo. 9th,. I743; died while young. (3.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 19th, 1747, married Charles Iredell, and settled in Horsham. Children: Rebecca, Grace, Rachel, Robert, Joseph, and Benjamin. (4.) Benjamin, born 4th mo. 9th, 1749, married Hannah Bradfield. He lived on the homestead in Hor- sham till the decease of his mother, when he removed to Gill's farm, in Buckingham. During the latter part of his life he resided with his son-in-law, James Bonner, where he died, in 1834, aged 85 years. He was something of a poet, and was a very useful member of society. His children were Ure, who married James Bonner; Betsy, BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3OI who married John Rich; Benjamin, who married, first,. Sarah Townsend, 2d, Sarah Landis ; Yarley, who married Christianna Moore; Peter Y., who married Hannah Magill; David, who married Ann Robinson; John, who- married Lydia Ann Merrick; and Silas, who married Rebecca Sheppard. (5.) Cyrus, born 8th mo. 9th, 1752; died while young, Benjamin and (i) Grace Pozvers's Children. (6.) Mary, died while young. (7.) Grace^ married John Carlisle. Children: Phebe and Amos. Phebe married John Burton, and settled at Fallsington, Bucks County; and Amos married Kinsey, and settled at Morrisville. Charles and (3) Phebe Iredell's Children. (8.) Rebecca, married Jacob Kirk, and settled on the Welsh Road, in Abington. Children : Phebe, Ruth, Re- becca, Charles, Aaron, Samuel, Hannah, Elizabeth, Abra- ham, and Rachel. (9.) Grace, married John Conrad, and lived in Hor- sham. (10.) Rachel, died single. (11.) Robert, married Mary Marple. Children: Oliver, who died young, and Ann, who married Dr. Hunt, of New Jersey. (12.) Joseph^ married Hannah Thomas, of Hatboro*. They resided in Jenkintown, and had one son, Charles, who went to Bristol, Bucks County. ^02 THE HISTORY OF THE DUFFIELD FAMILY.* (i.) Benjamin Duffield, son of Robert and Bridget Diiffield, of England, was born September 29, 1661. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Susanna and Arthur Watts, and emigrated to Burlington, New Jersey, in 1679. He purchased a tract of land in the manor of Moreland, in 1685. He died in Philadelphia, May 5, 1741, and his tombstone m_ay be seen at Christ Churchyard, at Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia. (2.) JosErH, eighth child of Benjamin and Elizabeth Duffield, was born in 1692. He owned a few slaves, which were willed to his wife at his death, in 1746. tGen. W. W. H. Davis says that the Duffields are probably of Norman French origin. The name is spelled Du Fielde, De Duffeld, Duffeld and Duffield. The names Duffeld, Duf- feilde, Duffyeld and Duffield are found in the early records of Ripon Cathedral. A William Duffield was archdeacon of Cleveland in 1435 and died in 1452. Gen. W. W. H. Davis says that the family may be traced back to the reign of Edward II, when Richard was l)ailiff of York, 1535, and that the first of that name came from France with William the Conqueror. The Duffields of Pennsylvania are descended from Benjamin, the son of Robert and Bridget, born 1661, who landed at Burlington, New Jersey, in 1678. He came on the "Shield," from Hull, along with William Biles. He is said to have been one of those who came across the river to welcome William Penn on his arrival. He after- ward moved to Bucks County and later to Moreland Township, Philadelphia. He married a daughter of Arthur Watts and was .the father of thirteen children. He died in Philadelphia in 1741 and was buried in Christ Churchyard. Samuel Willets places the date of his .settlement in Moreland at 1682, 1683 or 1685. Alfred T. Duffield of Southampton was of the fifth generation of Pennsyl- vania Duffields, He was the son of Jacob Duffield who died at Sackett's Harbor in 181 5 while in the military service. * I am indebted to Wason Comly, of Byberry, for the greater part of the genealogy of this family. fNote by the Editor. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 303 (2.) Joseph DufHeld's Children. {3.) Benjamin, died young. (4.) Elizabeth, married Dr. Samuel Swift. (5.) Mary_, died young. (6.) Sarah, married Prof. Kinnersley, of the College of Philadelphia. (7.) Hannah, died young. (8.) Joseph, died young. (9.) James, died young. (10.) Edward, born in 1720, married Mrs. Catharine Parry, daughter of Judge Smyth, of South Carolina. Sarah Franklin, writing to her father in Europe, under date of March 23, 1766, says, **Our dear friend Mrs. Smyth expired yesterday morning. Poor Mrs. Duffield and poor mamma are in great distress. It must be hard to lose a friend of fifty years' standing." His name appears among the earlier members of the American Philosophical Society. He was also a Com- missioner to issue colonial paper currency, a specimen of w^hich, with his autograph, is on exhibition in Independ- ence Hall. About the same time he was one of those charged with the erection of the Walnut Street Prison, and there is a tradition that when the British occupied;,' Philadelphia, they seized him at his country residence, and, marching him past his city house, imprisoned him in the jail, the construction of which he had superintended. He was a man of considerable talent, and was noted for his scientific acquirements and his skill in agricultural and mechanical pursuits. He is said to have made the first watch, from the raw materials, ever made in Penn- 304 THE HISTORY OF sylvania ; and some of his clocks, among which is the one on Lower Dublin Academy, are yet to be seen in the vicinity, — monuments of his skill and ingenuity in me- chanism. He associated with such men as Kinnersley,. Rittenhouse, and Franklin, the latter of whom reposed great confidence in him, often visited him at his residence^ and made hin) one of the executors of his last will. The only literary production we have met with, emanat- ing from his pen, is "Some Observations on the Applica- tion of Plaster of Paris," which w^as published by Judge Peters, in 1797. He was much interested in educational matters, and was one of the founders of the Lower Dublin Academy; he also was the means of having a school- house erected in his own immediate neighborhood. He died in 1803, aged about seventy- four years, and was buried at All Saints' churchyard. It is traditionally asserted that the first consultation by Jefferson and others, respecting the Declaration of Independence, was held at Edward Duffield's house. *This last statement probably refers to his city residence at the northwest corner of Fifth and Market Streets, The date of Edward Duffield's birth and death is given on a tomb- stone in the All Saints' Churchyard. The inscription reads as fol- lows : "Under this stone rest the remains of Edward and Katherine Duffield, late of the Manor of Moreland. Edward Duffield was born April 30, 1730, and died July 12, 1805. Aged 75 years 2 months 12 days. Katherine Duffield was born October 11, 1729. Died Oc- tober 6, 1796. Aged 68 years 11 months 25 days." Edward Duffield called his place Benfield in memory of his grand- father, Benjamin Duffield. Benfield may have signified Ben's fields^ or it may have been formed by the union of Ben, the first syllable of Benjamin, with field, the last syllable of Duffield. Both explana- tions have good authority. Thomas Payne, writing to Benjamin Franklin from Yorktown on May 16 , 1778, says: "I laid two nights at Mr. Duffel's (Duffield) ♦Note by the Editor. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 3O5 in the winter. Miss Nancy Clifton was there and said the enemy had sold or destroyed a great quantity of your furniture. Mr. Duffel has since been taken by them and carried to the city, but is now at home." During the British occupation of Philadelphia, Franklin's family resided much at Benfield. The youngest daughter of Edward Duf- field, Sarah, was introduced to Philadelphia society by Sarah Frank- lin. She was much admired by the French ambassador. During the winter of the British occupation, Edward Duffield, Sr., secured some weavers to make him eighteen yards of cloth on condition that he should make three or four shuttles in return. Writ- ing to her father on September 14, 1777, Sarah Franklin says : "I can assure you, my dear papa, that industry in this house is by no means laid aside. Mr. Duffield has hired a weaver that lives on his farm to weave eighteen yards by making three or four shuttles for noth- ing and keeping it a secret from the country people, who will not suffer them to weave for those in town. I think myself lucky to have such a friend." Edward Duffield was a famous instrument maker of his day. His establishment was at the northwest corner of Second and Arch Streets. In this establishment he was much annoyed by people ask- ing him the time. He therefore hung a clock with two faces from the second-story window. This was the first public timepiece in Philadelphia. It is said that he entered Braddock's Army as an assistant surveyor. In this position he noticed that his superior did not understand his instrument. He mentioned this to a superior officer. "How do you know?" said the officer. "Because I made the instrument," answered Duffield. In his will, he bequeathed to his son, Edward, a clock-like instrument, "that can be attached to the wheel of any carriage." His country shop fell to the ground in 1898. In 1800 Aaron Walton came to Edward Duffield and asked for land on which to build a school. Duffield answered that he would give half, if Aaron Walton would give the other half. Walton agreed and Maple Grove School was the result. At another time he had taken a load of bark to Frankford. The tanner's prices were not satisfactory. Duffield therefore complained. "If you do not like my prices," said the tanner, " you can go into the business yourself." "I will," said Duffield, and going home, he established a tan yard. Duffield kept slaves and tame deer on his property. His slaves are supposed to have been buried at the end of the lane near some lilac bushes. He was a member of the Byberry Library and was for some time President of the Lower Dublin Academy. He was a delegate to the first General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, September 7, 1785. Edward Duffield's executors were : John Jay, Farncis Hopkinson, Henry Hill and Edward Duffield, Jr. 20 306 THE HISTORY OF ( 1 1 . ) Uz, eaten by the wolves when three years of age. (lo.) Edward and Catharine DuiHeld's Children. (i2.) Mary, Joseph, Catharine, all died in youth. (13.) Elizabeth, married Francis Ingraham. (14.) Benjamin, was born November 3d, 1753. He was educated at the College of Philadelphia, where in 1 77 1, he received the degree of Master of Arts, and de- livered on Commencement day, a poem entitled "Sci- ence." He became a medical student in the office of Dr. John Redman, and after attending the lectures of Morgan and Shippen, in 1775, he went to Edinburgh and com- pleted his education. On his return from Europe, he married Rebecca, daughter of John Potts, of Pottsgrove, and sister of Dr. Jonathan Potts, Director General of the Hospitals of the Middle and Northern Departments dur- ing the Revolutionary War. In 1793, while the yellow fever was raging in Philadelphia, he had charge of the Bush Plill Hospital, and, in 1798, the managers of the Marine and City Hospitals voted him a sum of money, in appreciation of his services. He was the first lecturer on Obstetrics in America, and was a member of the American Philosophical Society. A poem of his inscribed "To the Memory of the late Dr. Rittenhouse, by his sincere ad- mirer," is still extant. In the life of Judge Iredell, one of the first Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, are several letters from Dr. Duf- field, who was the Judge's family physician. Dr. Duf- field resided in Front Street, Philadelphia, where his wife BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 30/ died in February, 1797. He died in December, 1799, aged 46 years, and left several children. (15.) Sarah, married Stacy Hepburn. (16.) Edward, remained a bachelor, and occupied the old Duffield homestead, devoting his time to reading and agricultural pursuits. He is still remembered by some of the inhabitants as a gentleman of the old school. He died in 1836 or '37, and then the old Duffield homestead was purchased by John Murray, who still occupies it.^^ Francis and (13) Elizaheth Ingraham's Children. (17.) Francis and Catharine^ buried at All Saints'. (18.) Edward D., a distinguished lawyer and biblio- maniac, of Philadelphia; married first, Mary Wilson, of Snow Hill, Md., and second, Caroline Barney, of Balti- more. (19.) Alfred^ married Elizabeth, sister of Major- General Meade, and removed to Mississippi, where they have a numerous family. (14.) Benjamin and Rebecca DufHeld's Children. (20.) Catharine, born April 9th, 1779, married Dr. John Church, of Philadelphia. She died in 1804, child- less, (21.) Martha R., born August 9th, 1780, married Dr. Henry Neill, of Snow Hill, Md. She died in Phila- delphia, June, 1856. (22.) Edward, born December 13th, 1782, married Miss Nolan. "Edward Duffield, Jr., was born on the nth day of January. 1764, and died on the 17th day of July, 1836, aged y2 years 6 months 6 days. 308 THE HISTORY OF {22,.) John Potts, born November 2d, 1784, married first, Miss Handy, of Snow Hill, Md., and second. Miss Bishop, of the same place. He died at Snow Hill, in 1830. (24.) Rebecca, born September 7th, 1786, married Dr. John S. Martin, of Snow Hill, Md., where she resided until her death in November, 1843. (25.) Mary, born 1787, died in infancy. Stacy and (15) Sarah Hepburn's Children. (26.) James, married in New Orleans, La. (27.) Fanny, married James Strawbridge and moved to New Orleans, La. (28.) Eliza, married John J. Vanderkemp. THE GILBERT FAMILY.* The ancestor of this family was (i) John Gilbert, who came over in the ship * 'Welcome" from England, in 1682.^'^ He is supposed to have been the John Gilbert who, during the persecution of the Quakers in England, was taken out of a meeting and sent to Lancaster jail, in 1663.^^ He first settled in Bensalem, but in 1695 he pur- chased six hundred acres of land in the eastern part of Byberry, of Nicholas Rideout. One-half of this tract he afterwards conveyed to his son Joseph, and the other half he sold to John Carver, after which he removed to Phila- delphia, where he became a prominent merchant. He * I am indebted to Gilbert Cope, of West Chester, for a portion of this account. "From Gilbert Cope I learn that John Gilbert, in all probability, did not come on the ship "Welcome." "This should be Launceston, not Lancaster jail. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3O9 remained in the city until his death, on the 13th of 8th mo. (October) , 171 1. He was married while in England, and his wife's name was Florence. Their children, as far as known, were John, Joseph, Sarah, Mary, Joshua, and Abigail. ( I . ) John and Florence Gilbert's Children. (2.) John, came over with his parents in 1682, and settled in Bucks County, near the Poquessing Creek. Little is known of him except that he was a peace-loving man in the favor of William Penn, and ardently attached to religious worship. He died in Philadelphia ist mo. 7th, 1 70 1 -2, leaving two sons, John and Samuel. (3.) Joseph,''^ married Rachel Livezey, of Abington, in 1699, and settled in Byberry. He was one of the prominent men of his time, being an elder and leading member of Byberry Meeting. This position he filled with great satisfaction ; and by his strict integrity, undeviating attention to moral and religious duties, and earnest sup- port of what he believed the testimonies of Truth, he gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was a man of very correct judgment, and had a strong mind, so that he was seldom deterred from doing what he believed to be his duty or led away from a Christian's path. His views were far in advance of those of his con- temporaries, and were tempered by justice and modera- tion. He regularly attended meetings for religious wor- ship, and encouraged his family and neighbors to observe the same practice. Although he furnished intoxicating ^^"From Gilbert Cope I learn that Joseph Gilbert's wife was the widow of Jonathan Livezey, formerly Rachel Taylor, daughter of Robert Taylor of Springfield, (now) Delaware County, Pa. 310 THE HISTORY OF drink to hivS hands in the harvest-field, yet he refrained from its use, and on such occasions drank water which was taken from a neighboring brook and kept in a jug in the open sunshine. He was opposed to holding slaves, and united with Benjamin Lay and other Friends in bearing testimony against the evil ; and in order to make his example correspond with his precept, he liberated several slaves in his possession. He was opposed to usury, and being a man of considerable wealth, he put his views in practice by frequently lending money without interest to those in necessitous circumstances. On one occasion a traveling Friend held a meeting at B'yberry, when Joseph informed his hands that they might attend the meeting without loss to themselves, but that those who refused should not perform any duty during his absence. He retained his mental and physical energies unimpaired to the close of his life, and when four-score years old led his hands in the harvest-field. He had such control over his dispositions that for many years of the latter part of his life he was rarely, if ever, known to be in a passion. He traveled with Thomas Chalkley on a religious visit to Friends on Long Island. He died in 1765, at the advanced age of ninety years, and it may be truly said that few men of his time were more honored while living or more lamented when dead. He left several children, among whom was Benjamin, the Indian captive. He resided on a place now owned by Thomas James,^^ and built the farm-house, which is still standing, in 1722. (4.) Sarah, married Henry Elfreth, in 1702. She died in 1728, leaving children. ** This property now belongs to the heirs of Thomas James. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3II (5.) Mary, married Ballard. Their children were Samuel, William, and probably others. (6.) Joshua, was born 6th mo. loth, 1684, being the first child of the name of Gilbert born in America. He married Elizabeth Oldham, 8th mo. 19th, 1707. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, who married William Par- ker. Joshua was a blacksmith in Philadelphia, where he died, 7th mo. 19th, 171 1. (3.) Joseph and Rachel Gilbert's Children. (7.) Sarah, born 4th mo. 21st, 1700, married John Baldwin, in 1725. (8.) Phebe, born 12th mo. 7th, 1701, married Henry Comly, of Moreland, 7th mo. 26th, 1728. She died 2d mo. 14th, 1773. (9.) Joseph, born loth mo. 13th, 1703; died in 1730, unmarried. (10.) Rebecca, married Patrick Ogilby, of Long Island, in 1735. (11.) Benjamin, was born in Byberry, in 171 1. He was one of the most extraordinary characters of his day. In June, 1731, at the age of twenty-one years, he married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Mason, of Fair Hill.^* After this event he remained in Byberry several years, and then removed to the great swamp, in Richland, Bucks County, where he was in 1748. While there he was rather irregular in his life, and was disowned by the Society of Friends, of which he was a member. Soon after this he saw proper to change his life, and, from his general good ^^This should be Richard Mason, not Benjamin Mason. 312 THE HISTORY OF conduct, Friends reinstated him as a member of the Society, in 1749. In this year he removed to a mill in Makefield, Bucks County; and, in 1755, he returned to his native place to take charge of his father's farm. Four years later he purchased one hundred and thirty-six acres of the Ellis tract, near the centre of Byberry, on the Byberry Creek, and on which he soon afterward erected a grist-mill — the one now owned by Charles B. Comly.^^ In 1759 he lost his wife. Soon after this his life again became irregular, and he was a second time disowned. His father, who had died a short time previous, was very wealthy, and had left the most of his property to Benja- min, his only surviving son. It mig-ht be supposed that such an ample fortune would satisfy any one; but Benja- min was of a roving disposition, delighting in change, and was, therefore, not long contented in any one place. In 1760,^^ he married Elizabeth, widow of Bryan Peart, and daughter of Benjamin Walton, of Byberry. In 1770, he offered a written acknowledgment of his offence to the Meeting, but it was not received, and, in 1776, he made another to the same Meeting, and was again reinstated. By this time he was advanced in age, and had seen several of his numerous family of children comfortably settled around him ; but others remained to be provided for, and he, in 1775, at the age of sixty- four years, embarked in a new enterprise for this purpose. He disposed of his mill property in Byberry, and purchased lands on Mahoning Creek, in Northampton County, then one of the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania, whither he removed with his " This property is now owned by Charles Comly's son, Edward "This should be 1761. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 313 family in the spring of that year. On this property was an excellent mill site, where he erected a saw and grist- mill, and carried on an extensive and prosperous business, and lived at peace with all his neighbors, both whites and Indians. At this time the latter were very troublesome, and Benjamin was frequently warned of the danger; but being innocent himself, and never having taken any part in the contest, he thought he could rest in security and peace. In this, however, he was mistaken, for, on the 25th of April, 1780, a party of eleven savages came to his house about sunrise, armed with guns, tomahawks, etc. Benjamin met them at the door, and they shook hands with him, and called him brother, but immediately pro- ceeded to tie his arms so that he could not use them. They then secured the rest of the family, and proceeded to rob the house, and loaded several horses with the plunder. Two of the Indians remained behind to set fire to the buildings, while the remainder marched with their prison- ers — fifteen in number — and plunder through the wilder- ness. After enduring innumerable sufferings and hard- ships, they reached Niagara just one month after they had been taken captives, where Benjamin, his wife, and son Jesse, Avere surrendered to Colonel Johnson, but the others were detained among the Indians. From Niagara they were sent to Montreal, and at the mouth of Lake Ontario were placed in open boats to descend the St. Law- rence River to that place. Benjamin was sick before leaving the fort, and a heavy rain falling upon him in- creased the disorder, so that on the 8th of the 6th mo., 1780, his eventful life was terminated at the age of 69 years. On the next day he was buried under an oak tree 314 THE HISTORY OF on the banks of the St. Lawrence. The remainder of the family were, in time, released, and reached Byberry again on the 28th of 9th mo., 1782. A narrative of their captiv- ity and sufferings, containing ninety-six pages, was pub- lished by Joseph Cruikshank, in 1784. Benjamin Gilbert was a man of much energy and determination, and an attentive observer of all that transpired around him. His- mind was of a religious turn, and he wrote and published several volumes on theological subjects. They were writ- ten in a plain, easy style, and evince considerable thought and a clear comprehension of the subject he was consid- ering. Elizabeth, his wadow, died 8th mo. 5th, 18 10, at the age of 85.^^ (11.) Benjamin and Sarah Gilbert's Children. (12.) Rachel, born nth mo. 14th, 1732, married, first, Ezekiel Atkinson, in 1754; and second, William Walton. She died 2d mo. 24th, 1791. (13.) Abigail, born 9th mo. 3d, 1734, married Benja- min Walton. (14.) Sarah, born 2d mo. 24th, 1737; died in infancy. (15.) Joseph, born 12th mo. loth, 1738; died in 1807^ unmarried. (16.) Benjamin, born ist mo. 31st, 1741, married, first, Rebecca Watson, in 1771; and second, Margaret Anderson. He died ist mo. nth, 1809. ■*The account of the "Captivity and Sufferings of Benjamin Gilbert" has been sufficiently popular to warrant the issue of a third edition of the work. To this latter edition is prefixed a short account of the Gilbert family. On this account the author bases a portion of his history of this family. John Watson in his "Annals" devotes ten pages to this event. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 315 (17.) John, born 5th mo. 23d, 1743, married Ann Stackhouse, in 1768. (18.) Sarah, born 4th mo. 26th, 1745, married Daniel AValton. She died 7th mo. 25th, 1785. (19.) Joshua, was born in Richland, Bucks County, 3d mo. 3d, 1748.^^ He came to Byberry with his father in 1755 ; and being of an active and lively disposition, he was, in the early part of his life, fond of amusements, could dance equal to any of his young companions, and relish a game of cards on every occasion. At the age of twenty-one years he appears to have taken a serious turn, and his mind became impressed with considerations of a more weighty nature, and he was afterward a regular attendant at religious meetings. In 1771 he married Mary, daughter of Nicholas Randall, and purchased the old homestead where Thomas James now lives, with fifty acres of land, and settled thereon. He brought up a large family of children, and was esteemed by all who knew him. Mary died 3d mo. 13th, 1812, aged 60 years, and Joshua died 6th mo. i8th, 1833, aged 86 years. They had children: Phebe, Benjamin, Tacy, Thomas, Joshua, David, Beulah.26 (20.) Caleb, born 9th mo. 19th, 1754, married Martha Stackhouse. (11.) Benjamin and Elizabeth Gilbert's Children. (21.) Jesse, born 5th mo. 4th, 1761, married Sarah Harding in 1780. He died 3d mo. loth, 1829, leavings eleven children. ^ This should be 19th of 12th mo., 1747, O. S. '® Joshua Gilbert had also two other children, Agnes, Ezra. 3l6 THE HISTORY OF (22.) Rebecca, born in 1763, married Joseph Rake- straw. She died 8th mo. 23d, 1842. (23.) Aener, born 3d mo. 2d, 1765, married Ann, daughter of George and Susanna Cooper, ist mo. i8th, 1799. They settled in Westmoreland County, Pa. Abner died 8th mo. 23d, 1842 f^ his widow died nth mo. 12th, 1846. They left a daughter Eliza, who married Joseph Cope.^^ (24.) Elizabeth^ born 9th mo. 14th, 1767, married David Webster. Notwithstanding the sufferings she en- dured during her captivity, Elizabeth Webster always retained an affection for John Huston, the Indian chief who adopted her in his family, and in 1822, she sent him some mememtos of her remembrance, by the noted chiefs Cornplanter and Red Jacket, whom she met in Philadel- phia. Of "Aunt Betsy," as she was universally called, it may be said, that few persons filled up the duties of life with more faithfulness, and although she had known trouble, yet she always appeared cheerful and happy. They lived in Byberry, where she died, in 1857. Children : Susan, who married John Matchner; David, who married Sindonia Walton; William; Jesse G., who married Sarah Williams, and Nathan, who married Margery Gilbert. (19.) Joshua and Mary Gilbert's Childrer,. (25.) Phebe, married Thomas Wilson; she died 4th mo. 1 2th, 1 8 14, aged 43 years. (26.) Benjamin, went to Black River, where he died unmarried. " This should be 5 mo. 31st, 1831. "And other children — Benjamin, George, Susanna and Ann. : BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 317 (27.) Tacy, died single, 5th mo. 2d, 1847, aged 71 years. (28.) Thomas, married Martha, daughter of John Knight. He died loth mo. 2d, 1844, and Martha died 1 2th mo. 3d, 1822. Children: Mary, Margery, wha married Nathan Webster, John, Charles, who married Ellen Renshaw, David, Ezra, Ann B., and Sarah. (29.) Joshua, was a prominent citizen of Byberry, and resided therein the greater part of his life. For many years he was a school teacher, and afterward kept store where Ross Knight now does. He was the author of several essays published in the Evening Fireside, and was considered a good writer. He was a man of learning, and took a great interest in scientific and literary studies, and was ahvays one of the principal movers in these matters- in the township. He married Mary Ware, and resided during the latter part of his life on property now owned by James Walmsley.^^ He died 5th mo. 7th, 1846, aged 62 years. Children : Frances, who married James Ivins ; Emma, who married James Thornton ; and Beulah. ( 30. ) David, married Joanna, daughter of Jesse James. He died loth mo. 30th, 1826. Children: Mary, Phebe^ Elizabeth, and Abi. (31.) Beulah, married Thomas James. He died 5th mo. 1 6th, 181 3; she died 7th mo. 25th, 1850. They had one child, Thomas, who married Elizabeth Knight. THE KNIGHT FAMILY. The name of Knight was common in some parts of England more than two hundred years ago. In 1663, Sir * This property now belongs to Charles Myers. 3l8 THE HISTORY OF John Knight was Mayor of the town of Bristol. A few years after, another John Knight was Vicar of Banbury. We also find notice of many persons named Knight who were among the early converts to the doctrines of George Fox ; and in the record of the sufferings of Friends during the reign of Charles II., are the names of Thomas Knight, of Cirencester; William Knight, of Hampshire; George Knight and Mary Knight, of London or Middlesex; Robert Knight, of Oxford, and Giles Knight, of Chessel- lx>rough, in Somersetshire. Most of these were appre- hended at religious meetings, and, for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, were committed to prison. Among the emigrants who came to America with Wil- liam Penn, in 1682, was Giles Knight, of Gloucester- shire. While in England, he married Mary, a sister of Henry English; and, at the time of their arrival in America, they had one son, Joseph, who was about tv/o years of age. Their friends endeavored to persuade them to leave Joseph in England, "fearing that he would be devoured by the wolves, bears, or panthers in the wilds of Pennsylvania." During the passage across the Atlantic, Mary was very ill, so that her recovery was doubtful ; yet she did recover, and lived for many years after their arrival. Her father purchased a tract of five hundred acres in Byberry, and gave one-half of it to his son, Henry English, and the other half to Giles Knight. The latter lived in a cave for six weeks after his arrival, and then constructed a wigwam, in which he resided for several months, and then erected a log house. He was very prosperous in his business, and some time afterward bought the adjoining lands of Tibby and Cross, making BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3I9 altogether a tract of six hundred acres. The house at first erected being too small to accommodate his increasing family, he erected a long log house, one story high, on the Tibby tract, and opened a store for the sale of d^y :goods, groceries, etc., which is said to have been the first in either township. From the ancient records we learn that he was one of the leading men in the neighborhood, and that he was highly esteemed for his integrity, good judgment, and correct life. In 171 7, he went to England on a visit, when Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends, of which he was a member, gave him the following cer- tificate : "To our well-beloved friends and brethren in the Truth at Nailsworthe, in Gloucestershire, or elsewhere, greeting : Signifying, that our ancient friend Giles Knight, having occasion to see his native country, and his outward busi- ness requiring his personal appearance, doth induce him, as well as affection, to undertake a voyage to see his old friends; now, having made application to our Monthly Meeting in order to have a certificate, and persons ap- pointed to make enquiry how he leaves his family; and, withal, if the ship would not stay until our next Mo. Meeting, he might have a certificate signed by the particu- lar meeting to which he belongs, to wit, B'yberry : "These may certify, that enquiry being made and no objection found, we recommend him as an Elder and one well esteemed by us for many years, having left his family with a great deal of love ; he has great comfort in Tiaving sober, well-inclined children, and the Lord has "blessed him with outward substance, which we hope may be well disposed of to his hopeful offspring. 320 THE HISTORY OF "We heartily wish the Lord may spare his life to see his friends and family again, having left us in unity and love. We wish and pray for his preservation in the Truth with all the faithful throughout the world. We salute you, and bid you farewell in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Signed at Byberry, the 8th of the 7th month, 171 7, by order of Abington Monthly Meeting : "Vyilliam Walton, Thomas Walton, Thomas Knight, Henry English, George James, Everard Bolton, Alex- ander Mode, Thomas Martin, James Cooper, James Dun- can, Henry Comly, John Carver, James Carver, Edward Duncan, John Brock, Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Knight, Daniel Knight, Jonathan Knight." He possessed considerable literary attainments, and his library contained a number of books relating to civil gov- ernment. He was repeatedly elected a member of the Assembly at Philadelphia, and, in this capacity, was very liberal in his views, and did much to promote public im- provements. He died 8th mo. 20th, 1726, aged 73 years; and Mary died 7th mo. 24th, 1732, aged yj years. They had twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. Two of these were buried on the farm near Knight's mill-pond, and the other was the first person interred in the old graveyard at Byberry Meeting. The remainder, so far as known, were Joseph, Thomas, Daniel, Jonathan, and Ann, from whom the whole of the family of Knights are de- scended.^^ Thomas Knight, mentioned in the above list, was a half-brother of Giles, and the last three mentioned " Isaac Knight, who married Mary Carver, 1699, left many descend- ants of the name. ' BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 321 were his sons. Joseph, his eldest son, resided at that time in New Jersey. JOSEPH KNIGHT, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. (i.) Joseph Knight, was born in England, in 1680, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, Giles and Mary Knight, in 1682. He married Abigail Antiil, who came from England in 1717. They were married at a public meeting in Philadelphia, and their certificate was signed by Thomas Chalkley, David Lloyd, Samuel Pres- ton, Richard Hill, and other distinguished Friends. They first settled in New Jersey, but returned to Byberry in 1729, and settled on the place now owned by James Thornton, ^^ which contained one hundred and ninety acres, and was inherited from his father. He was a man of little or no enterprise, and was content with a very plain way of living. He thought his farm too large, and accordingly sold about one hundred and forty acres of it to Thomas Walmsley, retaining his buildings and only fifty acres of land from which to make a living. They studied and carried out the principles of the most exact economy, and being content with very little, passed through life in a comfortable way and without any long- ings after those expensive luxuries experienced by many people. He was very careful to attend to all things in season, and suffered nothing to be wasted. He was a kind-hearted man, and a good citizen. His neighbors did not look upon him as a miser; but having been brought up in a new country, where he often suffered many priva- tions, his habits of economy became settled, and continued " This property is now owned by Jesse Tomlinson. 21 322 THE HISTORY OF with him through life. When he was a little boy, the only- food they had, often for weeks at a time, was *'fish and pumpkins;" and on one occasion, when some of the neighbors paid them a visit and the conversation turned upon the good things left behind them in Old England, Joseph remarked "that he did not know anything about them, but that fish and pumpkins were good enough for him." On one occasion, some one asked him how to make money, when he replied, "Thou knowest how to make it better than I do, but thou dost not know how to keep it." He died 4th mo. 26th, 1 762, aged 82 years ; and his widow died nth mo. 19th, 1764, at about the same age. They left two children, Giles and Mary. (i.) Joseph and Abigail Knighfs Children. (2.) Giles was born in Bensalem, Bucks County, nth mo. 17th, 1 7 19. He married, first, Elizabeth James, in 1737, and settled in Bensalem. They had ten children: Joseph, Susannah, Abigail, Giles, Rebecca, Mary, Eliza- beth, Abel, Sarah, and Israel. Elizabeth died in 1766, and Giles married, second, Phebe Thomas. Children: Asa, Evan T., Phebe, Rachel, Jesse, and Ainn. Giles Knight was well educated, had a vigorous mind, and con- ducted his business with energy and success. He early turned his attention to politics; and from being in com- fortable circumstances, of known integrity and sound judgment, he soon became prominent as a politician, and was for several successive years a member of the State Legislature, and afterward one of the Commissioners of Bucks County. In 1766 his first wife died, and in 1768 he was married a second time. Of his appearance and BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 323 manners, Isaac Comly remarks : "I remember the vener- able old patriarch in full dress of velvet and broadcloth, with buttons and buckles of silver, a full bottom wig, and first-rate beaver hat, turned up behind and on each side before, all which seemed to belong to a class that did not mix with ordinary characters ; and together with an austere, commanding countenance, and dignity of man- ners and deportment, induced an apprehension and belief that Giles Knight was one of the great men of his day and generation." He died in 1799, and was buried in Byberry. (3.) Mary, born 2d mo. 22d, 1723, married James Thornton in 1751, and died 4th mo. 20th, 1794. Children : :Lydia, Joseph, James, and Asa. (2.) Giles and Elisabeth Knight's Children. (4.) Joseph^ born 12th mo. 14th, 1738, married, first, Rachel Townsend ; second, Woolston. (5.) Susannah, born 9th mo. nth, 1740, married James Paul. Children: James, Elizabeth, Mary, James and Susannah (twins), and Sarah. (6.) Abigail, born 8th mo. nth, 1742, married Wil- liam Walmsley in 1764, and settled in Byberry. Children : Sarah, Giles, Mary, Joseph, and Israel. (7.) Giles, born 6th mo. 7th, 1745, married Sarah Townsend. Children : Townsend, Giles, Joseph T., and Thomas. (8.) Rebecca, born 7th mo. 9th, 1747, married Jona- than Parry. Children: Elizabeth, Martha, Phebe, Susannah, Abigail, and Jonathan. 324 THE HISTORY OF (9.) Mary, born 5th mo. 25th, 1750, married William Satterthwaite. (10.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. 3d, 1752, married Thomas Samms. (11.) Abel was born 3d mo. 19th, 1755. {12.) Sarah was born 5th mo. 8th, 1757. (13.) Israel was born in Bensalem, 3d mo. 4th, 1760; he married Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Esther Tyson, of Baltimore, in 1782, and settled in Bensalem, where, in 1799, he built the house now occupied by George John- son.^2 In i8ozj. he purchased 440 acres of land at Black River, in the northern part of New York, and with seven of his neighbors visited the place. He concluded, how- ever, to let his children settle there, while he remained at the old homestead in Bensalem, where, in 1805, he built the stone barn still standing. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was much respected by a large circle of friends. He died ist mo. 31st, 18 10, aged 50 years. Sarah died 4th mo. 8th, 1824, aged 66 years. Their children were: Abel, Isaac, Esther, Giles, George J., John, Nathan T., and Eliza. (2.) Giles and Phebe Knight's Children. (14.) Asa, born in 1770, married, first, Elizabeth Paul, and had one child, Joseph P. He married, second, Grace Croasdale. Children : Elizabeth, Mary, and Sarah. (15.) Evan T., born loth mo. nth, 1771, married Martha, daughter of Isaac Comly, of Byberry. Children : Isaac and Phebe. "This property is now owned by William Johnson. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 325 (l6.) Phebe, born ist mo. 31st, 1773, married Wil- liam Walmsley. Children : Silas, Ann, and Martha. (17.) Rachel, born 1775, married Samuel Paul. Children: Robert, Phebe (who married Thomas Stack- house), McEldery, Ann (who married Aaron Kirk), and Martha, who married Samuel Kirk. (18.) Jesse, born 12th mo. 9th, 1779, married Mary Stackhouse. Children: Richard, Phebe, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Ann. (19.) Ann, born in 1781, died in 1786. (7.) Giles and Sarah Knight's Children. (20.) Townsend, born nth mo. 2d, 1768; no account. (21.) Giles, born ist mo. 4th, 1773 ; no account. (22.) Joseph T., born nth mo. 4th, 1775, married Grace . Children : Israel, Abi, Rachel, Giles, Town- send, Susannah, Joseph, Stephen, Jane, and Grace. (23.) Thomas, born i ith mo. 4th, 1775 ; no account. (13.) Israel and Sarah Knight's Children. (24.) Abel, born 8th mo. 24th, 1783, married Eliza- beth Donaldson. Children: Jane, Sarah, Margaret, Israel, Isaac, Tacy, Joseph, Charles, Elizabeth, Martha, and Oliver. (25.) Isaac, born 9th mo. 14th, 1785. He removed to Baltimore, and married Julianna Winfield. (26.) Esther, born 4th mo. 19th, 1787, married John Knight. No children. {2y.) Giles, born 4th mo. i6th, 1789, married Mary Yardley. He died in 1866. Children: Thomas, William, Sarah, Susannah, and Edward. 326 THE HISTORY OF (28.) George J., born 5th mo. 24th, 1791, married Abi Brown, niece of General Brown, daughter of Isaac and Jane Donaldson, of Philadelphia, and granddaughter of John Kaighn, the original proprietor of Kaighn's Point, New Jersey. They settled near Brownsville, New York. (29.) John, bom 5th mo. 29th, 1793. He was quite a traveler. He died, and was buried at sea, while return- ing from a visit to Cadiz, Spain. (30.) Nathan T., born nth mo. 25th, 1796, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, of Lower Dub- lin. Children: Sidney, Sarah T. and Jonathan (twins), Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary Elizabeth, Anna, and Julianna. (31.) Eliza, born 4th mo. 24th, 1799, married James Bones, and removed to Iowa. Children : William, Court- land, Sallie, Susan, and Rowland. (14.) Asa and Elisabeth Knighfs Children. (32.) Joseph P., born 4th mo. 15th, 1796, married Mary La Rue. Children : Elizabeth and Sallie. (33.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. i6th, 1804, married Jonathan Paxson, of Bensalem. They have no children. (34.) Mary, born 7th mo. 8th, 1807, married Joshua V. Buckman, of Bristol, Bucks County. Children: Elizabeth, Rebecca, and James. (35.) Sarah, born 12th mo. nth, 181 1, married James Townsend, of Bensalem. Children: Elizabeth, Marga- retta, and Caroline Justice. (15.) Evan and Martha Knight's Children. (36.) Isaac, born 9th mo. 8th, 1797, married Lydia Stackhouse. Children : Isaac C, Evan, and Ethan C. ? BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 32/ (37.) Phebe, born 6th mo. 3d, 1802; died single loth mo. 15th, 1828. (18.) Jesse and Mary Knight's Children. (38.) Richard, born 9th mo. 8th, 1809, married Rachel Kirk, of Horsham. Children: Jesse, Rebecca, Oliver P., and Joseph. (39.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 24th, 181 1 ; not married. (40.) Elizabeth, born 5th mo. 28th, 18 13, married Thomas James, of Byberry. Children: Mary, Tacie, Hannah, Joshua G., Beulah, Edwin, Jesse K., Alvin, and Mary Elizabeth. (41.) Hannah, born ist mo. 13th, 18 18; died 4th mo. 22d, 1832. (42.) Ann, born loth mo. 9th, 1821, married Oliver Parry, of Byberry. Children : Mary S. and Elizabeth. THOMAS KNIGHT. Thomas, son of Giles and Mary Knight, was born in Byberry, in 1685. He married Sarah Clifton, in 1711, and settled on a farm belonging to Titan Leeds, the almanac-maker; but some time afterwards moved to By- berry, and located on the farm now owned by Isaac Tom- linson,^^ where he died in 1774, aged 89 years. Thiey had one child, which died in infancy. Thomas, by prudent management, acquired considerable property. He was at one time an Overseer in Byberry Meeting, but was prob- ably not very remarkable for piety, as he said in an argu- ment on the Conestoga Massacre : "That it was nonsense *^ This property is now owned by Joseph Bavington. 328 THE HISTORY OF to talk of such creatures as the Indians having souls or a future being." In 1732 he went on a voyage to Barba- does with Thomas Chalkley. DANIEL KNIGHT, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. ( I . ) Daniel, son of Giles and Mary Knight, was born in 1697. He lived in the southern part of Byberry, near the Poquessing Creek. He married, first, Elizabeth Walker, in 1719. Children : Mary, Joseph, and Jonathan. He married, second, Esther, widow of Joseph Walton, in 1728. Children: William, Daniel, Martha, Joseph, Ann, and Thomas. After Esther's death he married, third, Mary Wilson, in 1777. He was a man of good under- standing and sound judgment, and much esteemed by those who knew him. He died in 1782, aged 85 years. (i.) Daniel and Elisabeth Knight's Children. (2.) Mary, born nth mo. 23d, 1719, married David Buckman, of Wrightstown, in 1742. ' (3.) Joseph, was born 2d mo. 4th, 1721; no further account. (4.) Jonathan, born 8th mo. 5th, 1722, married Grace Croasdale, and settled in .Southampton, Bucks County. Children : John, Abraham, Absalom, David, Samuel, and Inglish. — ~^.C*.— (i.) Daniel and Esther Knighfs Children. (5.) William, was born 9th mo. 27th, 1729. He was somewhat singular in his habits, and would utter predic- tions which were afterwards so nearly fulfilled that many BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 329 persons believed that he had a knowledge of future events, and they looked upon him as more than an ordinary being. He died in 1782, aged 53 years. Children: Daniel, Joseph, Hannah, and Esther. (6.) Daniel, born 7th mo. 8th, 1732, married Ann . (7.) Martha, born 9th mo. 17th, 1736, married Henry Walmsley, in 1759. (8.) Joseph, born ist mo. 7th, 1839, married Elizabeth James, in 1765. Children: James, Joseph, Jesse, and Josiah. (9.) Ann, born 12th mo. 15th, 1741, married Daniel Walton, in 1768. Children: Jane, Mercy, and Daniel. (10.) Tho?»ias, born 7th mo. 7th, 1744, married Sarah Walton. Children: Amos, Rebecca, and Esther. (4.) Jonathan and Grace Knight's Children. (11.) John, born 8th mo. 13th, 1749, married Margery Paxson. Children: Mary, Joshua, Caleb, Martha, and David. (12.) Abraham, born 3d mo. 28th, 1752, married Anna Croasdale. Children: Asa, Abraham, Sarah, Su- sanna, Phineas, Jonathan, Ezra, Grace, and Elizabeth. (13.) Absalom, born 9th mo. 17th, 1754, married Ann Winder. Children: Benjamin, Amos, Moses, John, Grace, Abel, and Samuel. (14.) David, born 5th mo. 27, 1757; died single. (15.) Samuel, married Mary Paul. Children: Alex- ander, Hannah, and Julia. (16.) Inglish, married Martha Shallcross, and settled 330 THE HISTORY OF in Byberry. Children: Leonard, Seth, Ruth, Owen,. Hannah, Samuel, Jonathan, and Anna. ( 10. ) Thomas and Sarah Knight's Children, (17.) Amos, born ist mo. 14th, 1772, married Rebecca Dubre. Children: Dubre, who lives in Wilmington; Julianna, Marmaduke, Beulah, Jacob, and Emmor. (18.) Rebecca, born 5th mo. 3d, 1774, married Thomas Dubre. Children : Hannah, Sarah, and Martha. (19.) Esther, born 8th mo. i8th, 1776. (11.) John and Margery Knight's Children. (20.) Mary^ married John Wildman, and settled in Bensalem. Children : Charles ; Martha ; Ann, died single ; Elwood, married Mary Thomas; John, married Abigail Thompson; Mary, married Thomas Smedley; Edward, married, first, Abi Gilbert, second, Elizabeth Newbold; Joshua K., married Hannah Johnson; Jane, died single; Rachel, married Hughes Warner. (2T.) Caleb, married Mary Stackhouse.^^ Children: Phebe, died single; Jane, married Edward Croasdale; Elizabeth, married Isaac Eyre ; Abi, and Mary Ann. {22.) David^ married Sallie Brown. Children: Henry, and Edward. (12.) Abraham and Anna Knight's Children. (23.) Asa, died single, in 1866. (24.) Abraham, married Sarah Winder, in 181 1, and settled in Moreland, Montgomery County. Children: ■* This should be Mary James. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 33I Anna, married, first, Charles Blake, in 1835; second, she married Isaac A. Davis, in 1856, and now resides in Philadelphia; Mary Ann, married Wilkins Hobensack. Child: Anna. Ezra Croasdale, married Catharine Yerkes. Children: Sarah, Chancellor, Susan, Abraham,. George, and Laura; Elizabeth, married Alfred Thomas. Children: Anna, Hannah, William, Samuel, Oscar,. Martha, Charles, and Abraham; Susan, married Fitz- water Lukens. Children: Tacie, Sarah, and Charles. (25.) PiiiNEAS, married Mary Ridge. Children: Sarah Ann, Hannah, Charles, Ann Eliza, and Julia. Of these, Charles married Rebecca Buckman ; and Ann Eliza married Abraham Hogeland, of Bustleton. (13.) Ahraham^^ and Ann Knight's Children. Martindale, and lived in Southampton, Bucks County. Children: Paul, Absalom, Ross M., Aaron, Samuel, Re- becca, and Martha Ann. {2y.) Amos, married Mary Clayton. Children: Mary, Clayton, Ann, Rebecca, Jonathan, and Grace. (28.) Moses, married Rhoda Tomlinson. Child: Sarah Ann. (29.) John, married Esther Knight. They had nO' children. (30.) Grace, married Joshua Paul. Child: Ann. (31.) Abel. (32.) Samuel. "This should be Absalom. i 332 THE HISTORY OF (15.) Samuel and Mary Knight's Children. Alexander, was born in Byberry and received his €arly education at Byberry School, under the tuition of Watson Atkinson and John Comly. Under the latter teacher he studied Latin, and became well versed in that language. Being of a scientific turn of mind, he studied medicine and graduated at the University of Pennsyl- vania with honor. He became a physician of skill and respectability, and resided for a short time in Byberry. He then went to Philadelphia, where he obtained a good practice, and was appointed physician of that port. He published several essays on medical subjects, which evinc- ed considerable scientific acumen. His promising life was closed at the early age of thirty-five years. He married Mary Knorr. Children : Elizabeth, Amelia, George. JuLiA^ married Charles Stout. (16.) Inglish and Martha Knight's Children. Leonard^ married Ruth , and lived in Byberry. Children : Elizabeth, Hannah, Inglish, and Edward. Seth, died single. Ruth, married John Tomlinson, and lives in Byberry. Children : Martha, Samuel, and Julia. Owen, married a daughter of Joseph Reese, and lives near Somerton, Byberry. Children: Mary Ann, Catha- rine, and Charles. Hannah^ married James Walmsley, of Byberry. Samuel, married Phebe Tomlinson and had one son, Aaron. Jonathan^ married Letitia Leedom, and had one child, Rachel. \ BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 333 JONATHAN KNIGHT AND HIS DESCENDANTS. (i.) Jonathan, son of Giles and Mary Knight, mar- ried Jane Allen, and settled in Byberry on property lately owned by Ebenezer Knight. "He was a man of very pleasant and agreeable manners, graceful in his move- ments, and nice in his personal appearance. His fine sense of the proprieties of life, combined with his polish- ed manners and a social liberality, made him generally esteemed, respected, and beloved. He was often called 'Gentleman Jonathan' to distinguish him from another of the same name. He took a lively interest in the sup- port of schools, and in other matters of benefit to the meeting or the township." He died 5th mo. ist, 1745^ and his wife died soon afterwards. Children : Jonathan^ Mary, and Thomas. ( I . ) Jonathan and Mary Knight's Children. (2.) Jonathan, born 4th mo. 5th, 1730, married^ first, Ann Paul, in 1748. Children: James, Jonathan, Daniel, Sarah, Tacy, Mary, Jane, Thomas, Ann, and Paul. He afterwards married, second, Margaret Bald- win, and, third, Martha Lloyd. (3.) Mary, born 3d mo., 1734, died single in 1759. (4.) Thomas, born 9th mo., 1736, married Mary Walmsley in 1759, but had no children. He purchased 240 acres of land, in Byberry, of Benjamin Gilbert, and settled thereon. During the Revolution his barn was burned by the soldiers under General Lacy. He died in 1806. 334 THE HISTORY OF (2.) Jonathan and Ann Knighfs Children. (5.) James, born 8th mo. i6th, 1753, married Gaynor Liikens. He died in 1784. (6.) Jonathan, born nth mo. 6th, 1755, married Eliza Thomas. He died in 1830. Children: Atina, Jonathan T., Evan, Grace, Hannah, and Edwin. (7.) Daniel, born ^.th mo. 8th, 1757, married Rachel Walton. He died in 1821. Children: Sarah, Ann, Mar- garet, James, Charles, Ebenezer, Lydia, Hannah, Thomas, Mary, Paul, Allen, and Robert B. (8.) Sarah, married John Stackhouse. She died in T838. (9.) Tacy, married Robert Croasdale. (10.) Mary, married Josiah Costill. (11.) Jane, married Joseph Bolton. Children: Tacy and Isaac. (12.) Thomas, born 9th mo. ist, 1769, married Mary Worrell. He died in 1824. Children: Jonathan, Eliza- beth, Ann, Rebecca, Isaiah, William, Stephen.^^ (13.) Ann, married Benjamin Albertson. She died in 1828. (14.) Paul, married Eliza Boucher. (6.) Jonathan and Eliza Knighfs Children. (15.) Anna, born 6th mo. 6th, 1789; died 9th mo. 9th, 1 80 1. (16.) Jonathan T., born nth mo. 21st, 1791, mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse Wilson, and settled in Byberry. He was a prominent politician, and served sev- " Thomas Knight had three other children: Edward, Thomas, Walter. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 335 teral terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature. He was after- wards an Associate Judge in Philadelphia. During the latter part of his life he was of full habit, and took but little part in public affairs. He died in Philadelphia in 1858, aged (ij years. Their children were Amy, Ann Eliza, Edwin, Jesse W., Grace, Wilson, Amos W., and Paulina Jane. (17.) Evan, born 5th mo. 8th, 1793, married Martha James, and settled in the southern part of Byberry. Chil- dren : Elizabeth T., Phebe Ann, Mary Ann, Jonathan, and Tacy. After his death, Martha married Ebenezer, son of (7) Daniel Knight. Children: Evan and Samuel. (18.) Grace, born 6th mo. 3d, 1795, married Samuel Smedley, but had no children (19.) Hannah, was born ist mo. 5th, 1798. (20.) Edwin born 9th mo. 3d, 1800; died 8th mo. 19th, 1803. (7.) Daniel and Rachel Knight's Children. (21.) Sarah, born 2d mo. 8th, 1783, remained single. (22.) Ann, born loth mo. 5th, 1784, married Samuel Smedley, but had no children. (23.) Margaret, born 8th mo. 22d, 1786, remained single. (24.) James, born 5th mo. 23d, 1788, married Edith Plumly and had one child, Rachel, who died of cholera in 1849. (25.) Charles, born 3d mo. 13th, 1790, married Jane Hillborn, and settled in Byberry. Children : Daniel, Hill- born, Charles, Ruth Ann, Emily, Margaret, and Jane. (26.) Ebenezer, born nth mo. 14th, 1791, married 336 THE HISTORY OF ' Martha, widow of (17) Evan Knight. Children: Evan and Samuel. (27.) Lydia^ born ist mo. 4th, 1794, married Stephen- son Croasdale, and settled in Byberry. Children : Rachel^ Ainne B., Margaret, Joseph S., Jane, Willis, and Sarah. (28.) Hannah, born 3d mo. 7th, 1796; died 8th mo. 5th, 1796. (29.) Thomas, born 5th mo. 3d, 1798; died 8th mo. loth, 1798. (30.) Mary, born nth mo. 28th, 1799; died 3d mo. loth, 1800. (31.) Paul, was born 4th mo. 25th, 1801. (32.) Allen, born 8th mo. 30th, 1805, married Eliza- beth Parry, and had one child, Edward.^^ (33.) Robert B., born ist mo. 22d, 1809; died un- married. Of (12) Thomas and Mary Knight's children we have no account. Three half-brothers of the ancient Giles Knight came over to Pennsylvania probably about 1683. Their names were Benjamin, Abel, and John. Benjamin settled in Bensalem, but w^e have no further account of him. Abel went to North Carolina, where his descendants still re- side. John went to Massachusetts. His descendants are quite numerous, and may be found scattered all over the New England States and in Canada. Some of them were quite noted, among these was Jeremiah R. Knight, a Senator in Congress from Rhode Island. In the list of pensioners on account of services in the Revolution are more than twenty of the name of Knight. "It was Paul who married Elizabeth Parry and not Allen. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 33/ THE MARTINDALE FAMILY.* (i.) John Martindell/J- the ancestor of the family in America, was born 8th mo. 24th, 1676. He married Mary Eridgman, daughter of Walter Bridgman and Blanche Constable, who came from England in 1684, and located near Newtown, Bucks County. Mary died 12th mo. 7th, 1726. Children: William, Thomas, Ann, Mary, Alabrethe, and John. (i.) John and Mary Martindale's Children. (2.) WiLT.iAM went to South Carolina. (3.) ToTiN, born 6th mo. 22d, 1719: married Mary Strickland, 2d mo. 9th, 1746. Children: Joseph, John, William, Rachel, Sarah, Miles, Strickland, Amos, Jona- than, Thomas, Isaac, and Mary. (3.) John and Mary Martindale's Children, (4.) Joseph, born 6th mo. 20th, 1747, married, first, Hannah Buckman, and had one daughter, Hannah; he married, second, Sarah Merrick. Children: Joseph, Martha, Thomas, and Isaac. (5.) John, born 12th mo. 15th, 1749, married Ann Lambert. Children: John, Amos, Ann, Jesse, Richard, Mary, Mahlon, and Phineas. (6.) William, born 6th mo. 2d, 1751, married Esther Buckman. Children: Jacob, Mary, Esther, William, Amos, Samuel, Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah. * I am indebted to Thomas Warner, of Wrightstown, for much of this account. t Usually so spelled in the old records. 22 . 33^ THE HISTORY OF (7.) Rachel, born loth mo. ist, 1752, married Charles Reeder. Children: Joseph, Mary, and Amos. (8.) Sarah, born loth mo. 13th, 1754, married Mat- thias Harvey, but had no children. (9.) Miles, born 6th mo. 2d, 1757, married Susannah Harvey. Children: John, Margaret, Mary, Susannah, Lucy, Thomas, Jane, Robert H., Sarah, Isaiah, and two others. (10.) Strickland, born 6th mo. 19th, 1759, married Sarah Sands. Children : Mary, Rachel, Sarah, Jane, Wil- liam, Hannah, Ann, and Beulah. (11.) Amos, born 8th mo. loth, 1761, married Martha, daughter of Thomas Merrick, of Upper Makefield, in 1789. Children: Hannah, Tacy, Abner, Amos, Charles, Thomas R., Mercy, Martha, Lucy Ann, and Mary. (12.) Jonathan, born 7th mo. loth, 1763, married Rachel Morgan. Children: Isaac, Jonathan, Charity, Samuel, John, Rachel, Elizabeth, Mary, Phineas, and Frances. (13.) Thomas, born 1765, married, first, Mary Boothe. Children: William, Sarah, Rebecca, Thomas, and Mary. His wife died, and at the age of 82 he mar- ried, second, Sarah Ann Conrad, aged 22, by whom he had two or three children. (14.) Isaac, born 12th mo. 2d, 1767, married Rachel Bbnham. Children: Esther, Elijah, Mary, and Sarah. (15.) Mary, born ist mo. i6th, 1769, married Isaiah Morgan. Children : Samuel, Isaiah, Mary, Sarah, Amos, Joshua, Miles, Rachel, Charity, and William. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 339 (4.) Joseph Martindale's Children. (16.) Hannah married Robert Jolly. Children: Hannah, Robert, Joseph, Rachel, Martha, Sarah, Jane, Phebe, Eliza, and Samuel. (17.) Joseph married Jemima Ingham. Children: Cyrus, Martha, Sarah, Joseph. John, Lydia Ann, Lewis, and Charles. (18.) Martha married Amos Corson. Children: Sarah, Benjamin, and Richard. (19.) Isaac married Sarah Hagerman, and had two children. (4.) John and Ann Martindale's Children. ' (20.) John married Charity Wilson. Children: Wil- -son, Wakefield, and Ann. (21.) Amos married Susannah Lambert. Children: iander, John, Lambert, Amos, Alfred, Mahlon, and Charles. (22.) Ann married Peter Wilson. Children: John, Samuel, Wakefield, Sarah, and Ann. (23.) Richard married Ann Wallace. Children: Mahlon, Charlotte, Mary Ann, Harriet, John, Maranda, Martha, David, Ann, Richard, Franklin, Charles, Louisa, James, and one other. (24.) Mary married John Carver. Children: Keziah Maria, Amos, Yardley, Caroline, Mary, Jesse, Oliver, John, Aden, Rebecca, Wilson, Margery Ann, Cynthia, and two others. (25.) Mahlon married and had five children. (26.) Phineas married and had children : Sarah Ann, Martha, Hannah, Francis, Nelson, and Henry. 340 THE HISTORY OF (6.) William and Esther Martindale's Children. {2y.) J.ACOB married Ann Bonham. Children: Levi, Ivy, Abraham, WilHam, Hannah, Frances, and Ann. (28.) Mary married Benjamin Leedom. Children: Elizabeth, x\nn, William, xA^lice, Elijah, Benjamin, Amos, Sarah, Hannah, John, and Samuel. (29.) Esther married Thomas Harvey. Children: Harriet, Belinda, Joseph, William, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mary Ellen, Susan, and Letitia. (30.) William married Sarah Morgan. Children: Garret, Newkirk, William Elwell, and Abigail Ann. (31.) Amos married Sarah Kinsey, but had no chil- dren. (32.) Samuel married, first, Hannah B'riggs. Chil- dren : Albert G., Elizabeth, and Lucilla. He married, second, Martha Landis. Children: Samuel, William George, and Amanda Melvinia B. (33-) Sarah married Thomas Betts. Children: Wil- liam, Matilda, Cyrus, Tamar, Hannah, and Rebecca. (34.) Hannah married Amos Wilkinson. Children: Esther, Rachel, Ross, William Ryan, Ellen, and Ger- trude. (9.) Miles and Susannah Martindale*s Children. (35.) Margaret married Richard Neal. Children: Susannah, Priscilla, Miles, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, and John. (36.) Susannah married John Tomlinson. Children: Miles, Asher, Cynthia, Lucy, John, Susannah, Alfred, Eliza, Mary, and Harvey. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 34I (37.) Thomas married Mary Warner. Children: Warner, Adaline, Anne, Susannah, and EHza. (38.) Robert H. married EHzabeth Doan. Children: Jane, Jesse, and George. (10.) Strickland and Sarah Martindale's Children. (39.) Mary married Cornelius Carver. Children: Rebecca and Sarah Ann. (40.) Sarah married Isaac Carver, and had one child, George W. (41.) Jane married Thomas Goslin, and had one child, Sarah. (42.) William married Hannah Holcomb. (43.) Hannah married Charles Watson. (44.) Rachel married David Carver. {^5.) Ann married Miles Carver. (11.) Amos and Martha Martindale's Children. (46.) Hannah, born 4th mo. 19th, 1790, died single, I St mo. 7th, 1 84 1. (47.) Tacy^ born 2d mo. 21st, 1792, married Joseph Jenkins, of Abington. She died 8th mo. loth, 1857. Chil- dren : John, Martha, and Mahala. (48.) Abner, born 9th mo. 3d, 1794, married, first, Ann Dubre. Children: Amos, Rachel, Angeline, and Martha. He married, second, Eliza Boucher, and moved to Indiana in 1838. (49.) Amos, born 3d mo. 27th, 1797, died 9th mo. 2d, 1821. (50.) David, born 8th mo. 3d, 1799, died 7th mo. 7th, 1801. 342 THE HISTORY OF (51.) Charles, born loth mo. 24th, 1801, married Phebe, daughter of Joseph Comly, and lives in Byberry. Children : Watson C, Martha K., Joseph C.,^^ Elizabeth C, Annie L., Tacie, Isaac C, and Charles P. (52.) Thomas R., born 2d mo. 13th, 1804, married Ellen, daughter of Andrew Singley. Children: Samuel, Mary, Ellen, Amos, Rebecca, Alice, and Hannah Akin. They reside in Maryland. (53.) Mercy B., married Benjamin Knight. Children: Joshua Paul, Absalom, Ross M., Aaron, Samuel, Rebecca, and Martha Ann. (54.) Lucy Ann, born 8th mo. 13th, 1808, died sin- gle, 1 2th mo. 5th, 1857. (55.) Martha, bom 12th mo. 13th, 18 10, married James Walmsley, in 1839, and lives in Byberry.^® (12.) Jonathan and Rachel Martindale's Children, (56.) Samuel, married Ann Yard. Children: Sam- uel, Elizabeth, and Rachel. (57.) John, married, first, Beulah Hagerman. Chil- dren: Beulah and Martha. Second, he married Jane Hogeland. Children : Mary Ann, Jonathan, Rachel, Ja- cob, and John. (58.) Rachel, married John Chambers. Children: Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel, Phebe, and Fanny. (59.) Elizabeth, married Peter Rozel, and had one child, Jonathan. (60.) Mary, married James Girton. Children: Rachel, Samuel, James, Sarah Ann, Garret B., and Hutchinson. •* Joseph C. Martindale, the author of this work, died in 1872. •* Martha died loth mo. 15th, 1897. James died 6 mo. 23d, 1870. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 343 (6i.) Phineas, married, first, Elizabeth Yerkes. Chil- dren: William, Rachel, Elizabeth, Ann, and Jonathan.' Second, he married Elizabeth Rutherford, by whom he had one child. (62.) Frances, married Charles McNeal. Children: Rebecca, James, Charles, Amos, Elizabeth, and Ann. (13.) Thomas and Mary Martindale's Children. (63.) Sarah, married John Vanhorn. Children: Thomas and one other. (64.) Rebecca, married William Pearson. (14.) Isaac and Rachel Martindale's Children. (65.) Esther, married Garret D. Percy. Children: Watson, Isaac, and Mary Jane. - {66.) Elijah, married Sarah Ann Harvey. (67.) Mary, married William Hellyer, and had one child, Isaac. (68.) Sarah, married Joseph Martindale, and had three children. THE SAURMAN FAMILY. The primitive ancestor of this family in America was ( I ) Philip Saurman, by trade a shoemaker, who came over from Germany about 1743. During the Revolu- tionary struggle he was a soldier in Washington's army, and fell a martyr to his country. He left four children, Peter, Jacob, Philip, and Martin. 344 THE HISTORY OF (i.) Philip Sanrman's Children. (2.) Peter_, was born in Germany, and at the time of immigration to America was about three years old. He learned the trade of shoemaking from his father, but having a taste for military life, he entered the British army during the latter part of the French and Indian War, and served therein about one year. He then re- turned to Philadelphia, where he followed his occupa- tion until the Revolutionary War, when he entered the army under Washington. He remained with it until it was disbanded in 1783, and although he was in all the battles fought, yet he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, and never sick during the whole time. On the evening preceding the battle of the Billet he obtained leave of absence to visit the young lady afterwards his wife, who was then residing at Thomas Wood's house, near Hatboro'. Ffe remained here all night, and early the following morning he saw an English soldier, armed with a musket, coming up the lane. He immediately secreted himself behind a large cherry tree, and waited until the soldier walked past, when he stepped out and ordered him to surrender, at the same time presenting a pistol. The summons was obeyed, and the English soldier became a prisoner. Upon examining the captive's gun, it was found to be filled with mud and water. Upon the prin- ciple that "to the victors belong the spoils," Peter cleaned the gun and loaded it with three buckshots and a bullet, after which he started towards Hart's (William Hallo- well's) Mill, where he saw five English soldiers along- the roadside dividing their booty. He attempted to shoot them, but the gun missed fire, and he was forced to run BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 345 for his life. As he leaped over a fence the British fired at him, one ball passing through his coat pocket, and two others striking the fence near him, but he escaped un- hurt. After serving his country faithfully during the war, he returned to his trade, and located on the Penny- pack, near what is now John Shelmire's Mill, in More- land, Montgomery County. In 1788, he moved to Hat- boro', and in 1795 to Bucks County, where he commenced farming. In 1804, he purchased a farm of ninety- four acres, near the Sorrel Horse, for $46.62 per acre, where he remained until 181 2, when he sold out and went to the West. He died there in 1830, aged about 90 years. He married Margery, daughter of Josiah Yerkes, of Moreland. She died in 1835. Their children were Ann, Josiah, Mary, Rebecca, Jacob, Yerkes, and Jonathan. (3.) Jacob and (4) Philip, resided in Philadelphia until the Revolutionary War, when they entered the Con- tinental Army, and were both slain during the struggle. (5.) Martin,, was born in Philadelphia. He was a hatter by trade, his place of business being in Second Street, between Race and Vine. He married Rosanna Essler, of Philadelphia. Children: Maria, John, JaJcob, Martin, William, Sophia, and Thomas. (2.) Peter and Margery Saurman's Children. (6.) Ann, married James Vansant, of Somerton, Twenty-third Ward, Philadelphia. He was a carpenter, and some time after his marriage moved to Trenton, and still later to Philadelphia. Ann died in 1845. Children: Thomas Jefferson, Julia Ann, Cornelius, Austin, and Alfred. 346 THE HISTORY OF (7.) JosiAH^ learned the shoemaker trade, and went to West Virginia, where he married. In 1840 he removed to Sandusky County, Ohio. Children : Mary Ann, Eliza- beth, Archibald, Ebenezer, and two or three others. (8.) Mary, remained single, still living. (9.) Rebecca, remained single. She died in 1859,. aged 75 years. (10.) Jacob, was born in Moreland, Montgomery County, April 14, 1789. He married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Hallowell, in 18 19, and settled in Cheltenham. In 1823, he moved to a farm in Moreland, Philadelphia, which he afterwards purchased. He remained on this farm until within a short period of his death. During his entire life he was an ardent Democrat, and much at- tached to the principles of that party. He took an active part in the local affairs of the township in which he lived, and was frequently called upon to fill the various local offices. He was a warm friend to public education, and was one of the first Directors under the Public School system in Moreland. He favored every work of public improvement, and fully kept pace with the age in which he lived. In 1853, he was elected a member of Common Council, in Philadelphia, and served one term. In 1864, he removed to Philadelphia, where he died, July 27, 1865, aged 76 years, much respected by a large circle of friends. His children are, George W., Charles E., Mary L., Caro- line W., Ellen L., Norris S., John W., and Benjamin F. (11.) Yerkes, was born in Moreland, January 20, 1 79 1. He went to Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of copper-plate printer, which he followed for sev- eral years, after which he became a real estate agent. He BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 347 married Mrs. Martha Brown, who had two children, Susanna and Joseph. By her he had the following chil- dren: Maria, Angeline, Rebecca, Abner, Amanda, and Madison. (i2.) Jonathan^ married Sarah McChan, and set- tled in Chester County, where he resided for several years,. after which he moved to Abington, and thence to Phila- delphia. While in Philadelphia he was occupied as a pump-maker, and was killed in 1850, while blowing the rocks in a well which he was digging. Children: Sarah Ann, Mary, Caroline, Augustus, George, and William. (5.) Martin and Rosanna S airman's Children. (13.) Maria, died of yellow fever in 1794; unmar^ ried. THE TOWNSEND FAMILY.* (i.) Thomas Townsend, and Sarah, his wife, came from Westbury, Long Island, and settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, previous to 1 734. They had seven children: Hannah, Thomas, Nathaniel, Sarah, Phebe, Thomas, and John. After the death of (i) Thomas,. Sarah, with her children, Sarah, Thomas, and John, re- moved to Byberry, in 1735. She subsequently married George James, but had no children. She died ist mo. 25th, 1773, aged 82 years."**^ * Furnished by Watson Comly, of Byberry. **The old Townsend homestead at Westbury still remains. So far as we have been able to discover, this family is not related to Richard Townsend, the "Welcome" passenger. 348 THE HISTORY OF f (i.) Thomas and Sarah Tozvnsend's Children. Of Hannah, Nathaniel, and Phebe, we have no account. (2.) Sarah, born 12th mo. 26th, 1713, married Silas Titus, from Long Island, and settled in Byberry. Chil- dren : Nathaniel and Silas, both of whom died of small- pox, in 1757; and Phebe, who married Edward Parry, who for many years kept the hotel at Bell's Corner. (3.) Thomas, born 8th mo. 5th, 1720, settled on lands adjoining the Poquessing Creek, where he built a saw- mill. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Evan and Rachel Thomas. Children : Rachel, Sarah. Martha, Evan, Ann, Hannah, Thomas, Jesse, Phebe, Elizabeth, and Sam- uel. He died 12th mo. 28th, 1794; and Elizabeth died 8th mo. 2 1 St, 1769, aged 49 years. (4.) John, born ist mo. 7th, 1724, purchased a prop- erty on the Poquessing, adjoining that belonging to Thomas, on which he erected a flour-mill. Here he spent his life. He married Grace, daughter of Jeremiah Croas- dale, of Bucks County, and settled on the Poquessing Creek, in Byberry. He was remarkable for the regularity of his temper and conduct through the whole course of his life, which was consistent with his high professions, he being a member of Byberry Monthly Meeting, and occupying the station of Elder for nearly forty years. In 1768 he was appointed Clerk of the Meeting, which station he filled with more than ordinary ability. In all the concerns of civil and social duty he supported the character of a sincere and well-meaning man, and was universally respected and beloved. He was greatly inter- ested in the education of youth, and much of the effici- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 349 ency of Friends' school at Byberry was owing to his care and attention. As an author, he possessed more than ordinary abihty, and two excellent essays of his were published in ^'Friends' Miscellany." He died 4th mo. 5thy 1800, aged "j^ years. She died 6th mo. 23d, 1803. Chil- dren: Phebe, Sarah, Ezra, and John. (3.) Thomas and Elisabeth Townsend's Children. (5.) Rachel, born nth mo. 26th, 1742, married Jos- eph Knight. She died in 1769. (6.) Sarah^ born 6th mo. 4th, 1744, married Giles Knight. She died nth mo. 27th, 1775. Children: Town- send, Giles, Joseph T., and Thomas. (7.) Martha, born 6th mo. loth, 1746; died 8th mo.. 28th, 1769. (8.) Evan, born 8th mo. 14th, 1748, married Abi James. He died 12th mo. 24th, 1824. She died in June^ 1819. Children: Thomas, Margery, John, Elizabeth,. Rachel, Robert, Evan, Abi, and Martha. (9.) Thomas, born ist mo. loth, 1756; died 9th mo. 8th, 1769. (10.) Jesse, born 2d mo. 15th, 1758; died in 1769. (11.) Phebe, born 12th mo. 20th, 1760, married Jesse James. She died 9th mo. 25th, 1832. Children: Samuel^ Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, Joanna, Jesse, Phebe, and Abi. (4.) John and Grace Townsend's Children. (12.) Phebe, born 5th mo. 7th, 1746; died, unmar- ried, loth mo., 8th, 1783. (13.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 29th, 1748; died, unmar- ried, 3d mo. 2d, 1770. 350 THE HISTORY OF (14.) Ezra, born 4th mo. 14th, 1760, married Eliza- l)eth, daughter of James and Susannah Paul, and settled on the old homestead. Few men stood higher in the esti- mation of the community than Ezra Townsend. His chil- dren were, John P., James, Grace, Susan, Sarah, Eliza- beth, Tacy, and Ezra. (8.) Evan and Abi Townsend' s Children. (15.) Thomas, born 9th mo. 3d, 1773, married Eliza- "beth Strickland. They removed to Black River, New York. Children : Jesse, Sarah, Ann, Thomas, and Abi. (16.) Margery, born 6th mo. 24th, 1775, married William Walmsley. She died 2d mo. ist, 1832. Children : Robert and Jesse. (17.) John, born 3d mo. ist, 1777, married Asenath Strickland, and went to Black River. Children : Robert, Mary, Martha, Ezra, John, Evan, and Abi. (18.) Elizabeth, born 6th mo. 3d, 1779, married Isaac Bolton, and went to Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania. Children: Evan, Sarah, Abi, Jason, and Eliza- beth. (19.) Evan, born 4th mo. 25th, 1788, married Eliza- beth Carver. He died in 1846. Children: Thomas, Abi, Mary, Mahlon, William, and Sarah. ( 14.) Ezra and Elisabeth Townsend' s Children. (20.) John P., born 6th mo. loth, 1787, married Rachel Wilson. Children : Ezra, Wilson and Paul, twins, Jesse, Grace and Sallie Ann, twins, and Rachel. (21.) James, born ist mo. 12th, 1789, married, first, BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 35 I Eliza "Raison, and had one child, Tacie. He married, second, Sarah Knight. Children : Elizabeth, Maggie, and Carrie. (22.) .Susan, married Israel Walton. (23.) Sarah, married Benjamin Cadwalader. Chil- dren : Hannah, who married Jonathan Gillam ; and Eliza- beth, who married Joseph Comly. (24.) Grace, married James Thornton. (25.) Elizabeth, married Warder Cresson. Chil- dren : Ezra, John, Jacob, Clement, and Anna Bella. (26.) Tacy, married Charles Walmsley. Children: Elizabeth, Agnes, Susan, and Beulah. THE THORNTON FAMILY. James, son of James Thornton, was born at Stony- Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1727, and came over to America in 1750. In 1752 he took up his resi- dence in Byberry, having purchased the farm still in the possession of the family, where he lived the remaining part of his life.'*^ He was a man of superior abilities and of rare qualifications as a minister of the gospel. -There was a dignity about his personal appearanlce, and a forcibleness in his declamation, vouchsafed to but few. Upon rising to speak he always remained silent for a few moments, then slowly uttered a few words, but as he pro- <:eeded in his discourse his whole being seemed to be fired with the thoughts which he was uttering, and his voice and manner on such occasions became solemnly impres- sive. He was considered eminent in the ministry, and " This property is now owned by Jesse Tomlinson. 352 THE HISTORY OF # traveled extensively, both in America and England, in that capacit}^ In social conversation he was pleasant and cheerful, but never light or trifling; and he always clothed his thoughts in such plain language that his mean- ing was clearly understood by all. James Thornton was not perfection, but the errors he made were of the head rather than of the heart, and his contemporaries all unite in considering him an honorable and highly useful mem- ber of society. He was the principal minister at Byberry for forty years, and during that time he made several religious visits to different parts of the country, — the first to Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1780; and afterwards to New Jersey in. 1 781, and to New York in 1793. Mary, his wife, was also a paragon of excellence, both in domestic and other matters, so that from a very moderate beginning they soon attained a competence. She was also of a literary turn, and among other articles composed an essay on the death of her son, Asa, which was a production of considerable merit. James died in 8th mo., 1794, leaving a son, James, who succeed- ed to the estate. Mapy^ died in 1793. Children: Lydia, Joseph, James, and Asa. Of these Asa died while a vouth; James died unmarried in 1794, aged 33 years. Horsham Monthly Meeting issued a testimony concerning him, in which "he was stated to be a pious young man, and a bright exam- ple for the young men of his day." He was of a literary turn, and a manuscript volume of his poems is still ex- tant. Lydia married William Walton; Joseph married Hannah Warrington, of New Jersey, and settled in By- berry, where he died in 1790, leaving one son, James, BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 353 who married, first, Grace, daughter of Ezra and Elizabeth Townsend, and settled on the old homestead. They liad one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Dr. Isaac Comly. After his wife's death, James married Rebecca Stokes, of Moorestown, New Jersey. Children: James, John, and Edmund. THE WALMSLEY FAMILY.* The earliest mention of the Walmsley family that we have seen, is a certificate from Settle Monthly Meeting of Friends, near Bristol, England,^^ containing a list of the names of Friends who were about to remove to Penn- sylvania, in which there is mention of Thomas Walmsley, Elizabeth, his wife, and six minor children. This was about the time of Penn's first visit to Pennsylvania. Ac- cording to Watson's Annals, some of the earlier emigrant ships were nearly three months on the passage, during which time the small-pox broke out among the immi- grants, and about forty of them died. As there is no account of more than three of Thomas Walmsley's chil- dren in this country, to wit, Thomas, Henry, and Eliza- beth, it is probable that the rest died while coming over. Thomas before leaving England bought a tract of land on the Neshaminy Creek, in Bucks County, probably near Hulmeville. As he designed building a mill on that stream he brought from England the irons and several other articles for its construction, from which we infer * I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the greater part of the genealogy of this family. *" Settle Monthly Meeting was in Yorkshire and not near Bristol in Gloucestershire. 354 THE HISTORY OF that he was a man of property. They landed at Burling- ton, New Jersey, and within two weeks of the time of landing he was attacked with dysentery, from which he died. His three children were thus left under the care of their mother, who was a very estimable woman. She, however, married John Pursley about two years sub- sequently. THOMAS WALMSLEY AND HIS DESCENDANTS. Thomas, the elder son of Thomas, married Mary, daughter of John'*^ Paxson, in 1698, and settled first in Bensalem, probably on his father's farm, but not being satisfied he sold that place and bought fifty acres of Cross's patent in Byberry, recently owned by Charles Walms- ley,^* one of his descendants. He removed to this place in 1703, and resided there the remainder of his life. Hie soon afterwards purchased fifty acres of the Tibby tract adjoining, one hundred and twenty-five acres of Henry English, and eight acres of Joseph Knight, where Robert Purvis now lives."^^ He also owned two hundred and twenty-five acres in Middletown, Bucks County, fifty acres where Spencer Worthington now lives,^^ a farm at the foot of Edge Hill, now William F. Ervin*s, also four hundred acres in Buckingham. The latter farm was so far back in the woods that he traded with one of the Car- vers for the lands lately belonging to Jesse Walmsley and " This should be William. **This property is now owned by Elijah Osmond. ** This property is now owned by John Dillworth. ' *" Wilmer Worthington now owns this property. .' BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 355 William Walmsley,^^ giving two acres for one. He was a farmer and dealer in horses, and was very successful in both. He is represented as a quiet, peaceable man, at- tending to his private business, and doing but little in the .affairs of either Church or State. He had good natural abilities, and although successful in accumulating prop- -erty was not at all parsimonious. As a proof of this, liaving a niunber of daughters, most of whom were mar- ried in meeting, he made provision to entertain laige com- panies of wedding guests, sometimes amounting to more itlian a hundred ; and on one occasion after meeling l)roke up, he inv'ited the whole congregation to dine wrh him. He was considered a wealthy man, and his property con- sisted principally of lands and horses. His house con- tained three rooms, which were built at different times; it was one story high, and was covered with oak shingles. He died in 1754, aged about 80 years. His widow died in 1755, aged 79 years. Children: Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Agnes, Mary, Abigail, Phebe, Esther, and Martha. In his will Thomas Walmsley left fifty acres to his daughter Mary, the Edge Hill property to Abigail, and the remainder of his real estate to his son William. (2.) Thomas and Mary Walmsley' s Children. (3.) Thomas, married Hannah, daughter of WilHam Walton, the preacher, in 1728. They settled on the Edge Hill farm, and within a year from their marriage, as he was returning from Horsham meeting, he was thrown "These properties now belong to Frank Dyer and Edwin Tom- linson, respectively. 356 THE HISTORY OF from his horse and so badly injured that he died shortly afterwards. (4.) William, was born in Byberry, in 1709. In 1735 ^^ married Sarah Titus, of Long Island, and settled where Edwin Tomlinson now lives. On the occasion of his marriage, Friends gave him a certificate, stating that ''he was of a sober and orderly behavior, and in good unity with them." He seems to have sustained this good character, and to have advanced in the good opinion of his contemporaries, as we find him filling several important positions in the Meeting, such as clerk, overseer, and elder, all of which were to the satis- faction of his friends. He wrote a good plain hand, and kept the Meeting records, as well as his own private ac- counts, in excellent order ; and in all business transactions he was very correct and methodical. He inherited con- siderable real estate in Byberry from his father, also, a number of slaves, which he afterwards emancipated. He was justly esteemed as an honest and upright man. His wife died in 1763, and in 1764 he married Susanna, widow of Walter Comly. He died in 1773, aged 64 years, leaving five children by his first wife: Thomas, William, Silas, Mary, and Sarah. Susanna, his widow, died in 1795, aged 81 years. (5.) Elizabeth, married Jeremiah Walton, in 17 18. (6.) Agnes, married Job Walton, in 1728. (7.) Mary, married John Worthington. (S.) Abigail, married Isaac Comly, in 1738. (9.) Piiebe, married Isaac Carver, in 1742. (10.) Esther, married Stephen Parry, in 1755. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 357 (ii.) Marti-ia^ married David Parry, in 1761. Chil- dren : Martha and David. (4.) William and Sarah Walmsley's Children. (12.) Thomas^ married Agnes Mason, of Fair Hill, in 1768. He inherited from his father the homestead, with 168 acres of land, also one-third of the Middletown tract, and a lot of land in Smithfield. He afterwards sold the Middletown and Smithfield tracts. He was a man of more than ordinary abilities, and was noted for his indus- try and honesty. He was so peaceable that his neighbors said they did not recollect that he ever had a quarrel with any one. He held a respectable position in Meeting affairs, being Overseer for many years, and an Elder during the last thirty years of his life. In person he was rather above middle size : strong-built, though not fleshy, and possessed of great strength. His health was remark- ably good until a short time previous to his decease. In 1792 he buried his first wife, and in 1794 married Ruth Kirk, of Little York, an eminent minister in the Society of Friends. Pie died in 1819, aged 82 years. Ruth died in 1798. His children by the first wife were Benjamin, Mary, Asa, Richard, Thomas, and William. (13.) William, married Abigail, daughter of Giles Knight, in 1764. They settled first in Middletown, but afterwards removed to B'yberry, and built the house where Robert Purvis now resides. He inherited considerable property from his father, but, like many others, he prefer- red an easy life to one of toil, hence his estate did not increase. He was possessed of good natural abilities, yet he took but little interest in the affairs of the neighbor- 35^ THE HISTORY OF hood. He died in 1819, aged 79 years. Abigail, his widow, died nth mo. 8th, 1820. Children: Sarah, Giles, Mary, Joseph, and Israel. (14.) Silas, married Martha, daughter of Walter Comly, in 1765. Children: William, Jesse, and Silas. (15.) Mary_, married Thomas Knight, in 1759. She died in 1802, aged 60 years, leaving no children. (16.) Sarah, married Isaac Bolton, in 1766, and set- tled near the county line in Southampton. Isaac died in 1783, and his widow and children moved to the house now occupied by William Forrest,"^^ in Byberry. She died in 1795- Children: William, Joseph, Isaac, Mary and Margaret (twins), Jesse, Thomas, and Sarah. David and (11) Martha Parry's Children. (17.) Martha, married David Cummings, of Phila- delphia. (18.) David, married Elizabeth, daughter of Mordecai Thomas. Children: Joseph, Samuel, and Martha. (12.) Thomas and Agnes Walmsley's Children. (19.) Benjamin, married Beulah Newbold, of Spring- field, N. J., and settled on the homestead in Byberry. He was a Justice of the Peace for several years, and occupied a prominent position in the affairs both of the church and the neighborhood. He died at about the age of 70 years. Children : Charles, who married Tacy, daughter of Ezra Townsend; Agnes (deceased), and Ann. (20.) Mary, died young. *" This property is now owned by John Samms. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 359 (21.) Asa, married Mary Paxson, of Bensalem. He erected the buildings now occupied by Ross M. Knight,'*^ and afterwards kept a store there for eleven years. He then sold the property, and removed to the farm now owned by Horace Smyth, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was for several years a clerk, overseer, or elder, in the meetings, and was highly respected. His wife died in 1838. Children: Sarah; Thomas, who mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Haines; Anna; Mary; Morton, who married Eliza Moon; Richard, who married Rebecca Smith, and Margaret. (22.) Richard, died young. (23.) Thomas, was born in Byberry, 3d mo. 25th, 178 1. In the early part of his life, while yet a schoolboy, he gave evidence of more than ordinary talent, and ac- quired a knowledge of all the branches then taught in the school at Byberry Meeting with unusual facility. After having mastered all these, he commenced the study of Latin under a ripe scholar and an excellent teacher, the late John Comly; and by close application, along with a retentive memory, soon gained a good knowledge of that language. He had a great love for books, and generally carried one with him, which he studied whenever oppor- tunity oftered. He became particularly interested in scien- tific subjects, and resolved upon becoming a physician. He accordingly entered as a student of medicine under Dr. Gregg, of Attleboro', Bucks County, where he re- mained closely pursuing his studies for three or four years. While thus engaged, his active mind led him into other channels of learning, and we find him the ardent *"* Lewis Hall now ov/ns this property. 360 THE HISTORY OF promoter of several literary societies. He then went to Philadelphia, in order to become more proficient in the various branches of medicine, and attended lectures in the University of Pennsylvania. While here he made the acquaintance of many of the most eminent literary men of that day, from whom he derived much profit, as they assisted him in his studies. He was elected a member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, and was among the original founders of the American Linnsean Society, of which he became Vice-President. While attending lec- tures he made several experiments in regard to the absorp- tion of medicines; and these experiments, together with some other observations, formed the basis of his inaugural thesis for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, which was conferred upon him by the University in the spring of 1803. Soon after graduating he removed to Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, where he obtained considerable prac- tice in his profession. In 1805 he was solicited by Dr. Young to settle in Hagerstown, Maryland, where a physi- cian was badly needed, and he concluded to remove thither. In the 8th mo. 1806, he was seized with bilious fever, and, after twelve weeks' sickness, died, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. He was the author of a number of original essays, political and scientific, the former of which was published in the newspapers of Maryland, and the latter in Barton's Journal. A eulogium on him was published, but has probably been lost. (24.) William, went to Philadelphia, where he was at first unsuccessful in business, but becoming a broker he was more fortunate, and amassed considerable prop- erty. He died single, 3d mo. 27th, 1839. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 36 1 (13.) William and Abigail Walmsley's Children. (25.) Sarah, married Thomas Phipps, of Abington. Children: Abigail, who married, first, Thomas Stack- house; second, Robert Eames; Drusilla, who married John Rowlett. (26.) Giles, was subject to convulsions, and died at the age of forty. (2 J.) Mary, married, first, Joseph Stackhouse. He died in 1806, and she married, second, John Lester, of Richmond, but left no children. (2S.) Joseph, married Ann, daughter of John Bartofi, near Camden, New Jersey. He settled where Robert Purvis now resides. He was very successful in business, and was very active in the affairs of the Meeting, as well as the neighborhood. He afterwards moved to Frank- ford, and subsequently to Philadelphia, where he died. Children : Abigail, Rebecca, Morgan, and William. (29.) Israel, married Rebecca, daughter of William Walton, and settled in Byberry, where John Comly now lives.^^ He died in 1822, from a fall down the cellar steps, leaving one child, Delilah. henry walmsley, and his descendants. (i.) Henry, the younger son of Thomas, married Mary Searl, in 1699. They settled in the lower end of Southampton, Bucks County, on or near the Lead Mine Farm. He was above the middle size of men, and was a jovial, comical sort of person. He did not inherit much property from his father, and never became so wealthy as "" This is now the residence of Charles Osmond. 362 THE HISTORY OF his brother Thomas. He died in 1760. Children: Thomas, Francis, EHzabeth, Joan, and Rebecca. (i.) Henry and Mary Walmsley's Children. (2.) Thomas, married and settled on the homestead^ where he died, in 1786. Children: Henry, Ralph, Mary^ Sarah, and Elizabeth. (3.) Elizabeth, married William, son of William and Mary Carver, in 17 19, and settled at Buckingham. (4.) Joan, married Thomas Tomlinson, in 17 19. She died in 1772. (2.) Thomas Walmsley's Children. (5.) Henry, married, first, Martha, daughter of Daniel Knight, and settled on the Lead Mine Farm. Children : Daniel T. and Sarah. After Martha's death Henry mar- ried Esther Duncan, but had no children. He died in 1792. (6.) Ralph, settled on part of the homestead. He married, and had two sons, Thomas and William. (7.) Sarah, married John Terry, and had one son, James, and probably other children. (8.) Elizabeth, married Joseph, son of Thomas Worthington. (5.) Henry and Martha Walmsley's Children. (9.) Daniel T., married Mary, daughter of General Augustin Willet. He inherited a large portion of his father's estate, but lost the greater part of it. Afterwards he kept tavern at Smithfield, where he died, leaving chil- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 363, dren : Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, Mary, Grace, and James Madison. (10.) Sarah, married William Ridge, and settled in the northern part of Bensalem. They were highly re- spected in the community, and by industry acquired a competent estate. They had children: Isaac, Daniel^ Martha, William H., Walmsley, Rachel, Effie, Anna, and Samuel. (9.) Daniel T. and Mary Walmsley' s Children. (11.) Elizabeth, died unmarried. (12.) Martha,, married Mahlon Atkinson, and moved to Drumore. (13.) Sarah, married Dr. Benjamin Rush Banes. (14.) Mary, married Isaac J. Rush. (15.) Grace, married, first, Bernard Walton; second,. James M. Boileau. (16.) James Madison, died young. THE WALTON FAMILY.* The name of Walton frequently occurs in Besse's Ac- count of the Sufferings of Friends in England, published' about 1 75 1. The first of that name who came to America were four brothers, Nathaniel, Thomas, Daniel, and William, who arrived at Newcastle early in 1675. They ascended the Delaware River and settled in Byberry, on land now owned by George Dehaven.^^ *I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the greater part of the genealogy of this family. " This property is now owned by Col. E D. Morrell. It lay next to the farm of John Hart and was, as the text states, at first occupied by the four brothers. After a time Nathaniel's three brothers re- moved to the northward and Nathaniel became sole proprietor. 364 THE HISTORY OF ' (l.) NATHANIEL WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. In the records of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held alternately at Tacony and Poquessing, we find that Nathaniel Walton had their approbation to accom- plish his marriage with Martha Bownall, of Philadelphia, which was accordingly done nth mo. 26th, 1685. When the Keithian controversy divided the Society of Friends, Nathaniel and his family joined the Keithian Church, of which John Hart was the minister. When Hart joined the Baptists, Nathaniel joined the "Church at All-Saints." In a letter found some years since, written by Nathaniel to his brother William, dated 7th of October, 171 3, he reminds him "that he paid five pounds for his passage from England, which had not been repaid, and makes a demand for the money." We have no other account of him, except that he lived on property now belonging to George Dehaven, and left two sons, Nathaniel and Benja- min. (i.) Nathaniel and Martha Walton's Children. (2.) Nathaniel, was a schoolmaster as early as 1727, and Thomas Chalkley speaks in his Journal of having sent his children to Nathaniers school. He died in More- land, back of Edge Hill, in 1784, aged about 80 years, and left two sons, B'oaz and Joseph. (3.) Benjamin, we have no account of, except that he left a son, Benjamin. (4.) Joseph, son of (2) Nathaniel, lived on property now owned by William Wenzell.^^ He taught the school "This property is now owned by Colonel E. D. Morrell. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 365 at Byberry for fifteen years, after which he moved to the Falls, in Bucks County, to follow his profession. It is said he was a teacher for sixty years. He died loth mo. 4th, 1759.^3 (5.) Benjamin, son of (3) Benjamin, was a rigid Whig in the time of the Revolution, and very active in his distraints upon Friends on account of military requisi- tions, exorbitant in his seizures, and of imperious dispo- sition. He was commonly called *'Black Ben," on account of his dark complexion, and to distinguish him from another of the same name. (l.) THOMAS WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. (i.) Thomas Walton, the second of the four brothers, settled back of Smithfield (Somerton), on the Horsham Road, in the manor of Moreland. Nothing is known of his history, except that he married Priscilla Hunn, of Philadelphia, 12th mo. 24th, 1689 (O. S.), and that he died in 1758, at a very advanced age, probably near one hundred years. He left several children. (2.) Ti-ioMAS, son of (i) Thomas, lived with his father, and was a preacher in the Society of Friends. He usually walked to meeting at Byberry, a distance of five miles, and officiated when no other minister was present. He was afterwards disowned for not paying his debts. He was commonly designated as the "Old Bishop." He died 1st mo. 31st, 1777, aged 84 years, unmarried. " This date is either incorrect or the facts are confused. If Joseph died in 1759 and taught school for sixty years, he must have begun teaching in 1699, and must have been born at least nineteen years previous. This would make his birth 1680 or five years before his grandfather was married and twenty-four years before his father was born. 366 THE HISTORY OF (l.) DANIEL WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. (i.) Daniel Walton, one of the four brothers, set- tled on his tract of land near the present residence of Linford Tomlinson.^^ He married Mary Lamb, 6th mo. 2ist, 1688 (O. vS.) Throughout his long life he was much respected, and was considered among the faithful Friends of that day. He died in 17 19, leaving seven children: Samuel, Daniel, Joshua, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, and Mary. Nearly all the Waltons at present residing in the vicinity of Byberry are descendants of the ancient Daniel. (i.) Daniel and Mary Walton's Children, (2.) Samuel, was disinherited by his father, for "dis- obedience to his mother," but inherited the estate belong- ing to his brother Nathan, who died intestate. He left the neighborhood and settled near Quakertown, in Bucks County. He had four sons, Samuel, Benjamin, Abraham, and Jacob, most of whom emigrated to the Western coun- try. (3.) Daniel, married Clifton, and settled whe^ English Knighf^^ now lives. His farm extended east- ward to John Samm's Corner. He left three children, Daniel, Jane, and Massy. (4.) Joshua, took the western part of his father's farm, and settled where Watson Tomlinson now lives. He married Catharine Albertson, usually called "Case Walton." In the domestic history of the family many **This property is now owned by Lewis HaJI. •* This property is now owned by English Knight's heirs. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 36/ unpleasant traits are apparent. Joshua committed suicide ty hanging himself to a tree in front of his house, and was buried in one of his back fields. His widow died I2th mo. 1 8th, 1759. For many years after the death of Joshua the premises were believed by the superstitious to be haunted, and "marvellous tales were told of sights, sounds, and presentations, terrific in their nature." Men were actually frightened from the 'Timber Swamp" in the daytime, but the ghosts have since departed. Joshua left three sons : Joshua, who died in 1779; Albertson, and Jonathan. (5.) Joseph^ married Esther, daughter of John Carver, of Buckingham. Children : Richard and Rachel. (6.) Benjamin, was born in Byberry about 1693. ^^ married Rebecca Homer, in 1724, by whom he had nine children. He settled on his father's farm in Byberry, and was prosperous in business. He was a member with Friends, and much respected by his contemporaries. He died in nth mo. 1753; and his widow in 8th mo., 1783, aged 79 years. Rebecca was much esteemed, and her virtues are handed down to us in some verses made by James Thornton, Jr., shortly after her decease. Their children were, Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, Hannah, Rebecca, Sarah, Benjamin, Esther, and William. (7.) Mary, married William Homer, and settled where William Carter^^ now lives. She died in 1788. Her sons, "Taff, Joe, and Jake, were bachelors, lounging about home and drinking a great deal of whiskey." They Avere called "The young Homers," being from their father's second w4fe. ^"This property is now owned by Benjamin Carter. 368 THE HISTORY OF • (3.) Daniel Walton's Children. (8.) Daniel, married Axin, daughter of Daniel Knight, and settled on the homestead, where he died loth mo. 29th, 1776. Children: Daniel, Aaron, and Ann. (9.) Jane, married Isaiah Walton. (10.) Massy, married (9) William, grandson of (i) William Walton, the preacher. Child : Jacob. (4.) Joshua and Catharine Walton's Children. (ii.) Albertson, lived where George Weiss^^ now owns. During the Revolutionary War his attachment to the British led him to secrete his title-papers in a hollow tree, and join the English army in New York. He re- turned to Byberry after the war, but was taken and tried for treason. He was acquitted, but lost his title-papers, and had to apply to the Legislature to make his title good. He died in 1821, aged 90 years. Children: Jesse, Wil- liam, and Jonathan. (12.) Jonathan, was born in Byberry, where Watson Tomlinson now lives, about 1733. He never married; but in early life was very anxious to accumulate property, and frequently plowed all night. He removed to a farm on Old York road, near Hartsville, where he spent the most of his life, and where he died in 1790. He is partic- ularly noted for the legacy left to Byberry Meeting, called "Walton's Donation," for schooling poor children. This amounted to $886.46, the income of which has been judic- iously applied to the benefit of many children who would most probably have otherwise grown up without any "This property is now owned by Samuel Foster. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 369 school learning. The other two-thirds of the estate were bequeathed, for similar purposes, to Friends of Richland and Horsham. (5.) Joseph and Esther Walton's Children. (13.) Richard, married Abigail, widow of Isaac Comly and daughter of Thomas Walmsley. He died loth mo. 6th, 1776. Children: Joseph, Benjamin, and Esther. (6.) Benjamin and Rebecca Walton's Children. (14.) Elizabeth, born 3d mo. 27th, 1725, married Bryan Peart. Children : Benjamin, who moved to Salem, Ohio, Rebecca and Thomas. Bryan Peart died in 1757, and Elizabeth married Benjamin Gilbert, the Indian cap- tive, in 1760. Children: Jesse, Abner, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. On account of her captivity, she became well known to the public. She lived about thirty years after her return, and was universally respected by her numerous friends and connections, and peacefully closed her earthly career, at her residence near Fallow^field, Chester County, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. (15.) Mary^ born 12th mo. 17th, 1726, married David Thomas. She died in 1804, aged 78 years. (16.) Daniel, born 12th mo. ist, 1728, married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Gilbert, and settled near the Red Lion. During the Revolutionary War he suffered much from the depredations of the Continentals, and had his barn burnt by General Lacy's men. He died near Fallow- field, Chester County, in 1798, aged 70 years. Sarah died 24 370 THE HISTORY OF m 1785. Children: Rachel, Rebecca, Sarah, Lydia, Asa, Jesse, and Gilbert. (17.) Hannah, born 12th mo. 28th, 1730, remained unmarried ; died at the age of 86. She was a poet, and wrote several articles which were circulated in MS. (18.) Rebecca, born 9th mo. 24th, 1723,^^ married Joseph Warrington, of Moorestown, N. J. She was highly esteemed as a worthy member of society, and "was probably as near perfection as mortals ever are." She sometimes wrote poetry, and several of her effusions are still extant. vShe died 7th mo. 8th, 18 12. (19.) Sarah, twin sister of Rebecca, married Thomas Knight in 1771. She died ist mo. 4th, 1807. Children: Amos, Rebecca, and Esther. (20.) Benjamin, born 12th mo. ist, 1735, married Abigail, daughter of Benjamin Gilbert. After living a few years in Byberry they moved to Fallowfield, Chester County. Children : Benjamin, Nathan, Joseph, Rebecca, Sarah, Rachel and Elizabeth. (21.) Esther, born 3d mo. 17, 1738, married (21) Thomas Walton, descendant of William. (22.) William, born 5th mo. 29th, 1740, married Lydia, daughter of James Thornton, in 1771, and spent his life at the homestead now owned" by Linford Tomlin- son. He inherited a small estate from his father, to which he made large additions by the industrious and prudent course he pursued. For many years previous to his death, he was regarded as the largest landholder and the most wealthy man in either township. He, however, seems not to have been elated by his wealth, but scrupulously ad- " 1723 should be 17.33. ' BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 2)7^ hered to his plain old-fashioned way of living, and made no ostentatious display. He carefully maintained a con- •cern for the institutions and principles of the Society of Friends, of which he was a member ; and was for several years a clerk of the Monthly Meeting ; afterward an over- seer, and for twenty-five years an elder ; he was the author of the original ''Narrative of the Captivity of Benjamin Gilbert and Family by the Indians." He died the 14th of 5th mo. 1824, aged eighty- four years, and Lydia, his widow, died 2d mo. 23d, 1827. Children: Beulah, James, Martha, Phebe, Jabez, Josiah, Jason, Rebecca, Israel, Mary, Joseph Thornton, and Edmund. (23.) Rebecca, daughter of (20) Benjamin, married Benjamin Kite. She died 12th mo. 20th, 1840. (8.) Daniel and Ann Walton's Children. (24.) Daniel, married Elizabeth , and settled at Sandyford,^^ Some of his descendants now live in Phila- delphia. (25.) Aaron, married Ann Thomas, and lived on the lower end of the old homestead, next to Samms's Corner. He died 12th mo. 19th, 1834. Children : Brazilla, Clifton, Maria, and Sindonia. {26.) Ann, married John Cornell. (13.) Richard and Abigail Walton's Children. (27.) Joseph, married Deborah Lee. Children: Sarah, Abigail, Deborah, Asenath, Agnes, Ann, and John. He died 3d mo. 19th, 1821, aged 6^; Deborah died in 1840. ■" This should be Sandiford and not Sandvfcrd, it being the burial place and once ihe residence of Ralph Sandiford. 2;j2 THE HISTORY OF (28.) Benjamin^ died young. (29.) Esther^ married Ephraim Howell. Children: Joseph, Rebecca, Richard, Abigail, Mary, Ephraim, Eliza- beth, and Deborah. (25.) Aaron and Ann Walton's Children. (30.) Brazilla, married Jane Feaster; died 12th mo. 27th, 1836. (31.) Clifton, died 9th mo. 30th, 1838; unmarried. (32.) Maria, married Giles, son of Joseph T. Knight. Children: Abby Ann, and Grace. (33.) SiNDONiA,, married David, son of David and Elizabeth Webster. Children: Aiaron, Mary, Thomas, Byron, and Warren. (l.) WILLIAM WALTON AND HIS DESCENDANTS. (i.) William, one of the four brothers, married Sarah Howell, 4th mo. 20th, 1689 (O. S.), and located near the present residence of Josiah Walton.^^ He was the first preacher of Byberry Meeting after the Keithian separation, and continued the principal, if not the only one, for the next forty years. But little account of his religious labors has been preserved ; but his ministry met with the approval of the Meeting, and he was recom- mended as a minister. In 171 7, he visited all the families belonging to Byberry Meeting; and in 1721, in company with Richard Busby, paid a religious visit to Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. This gave great satisfaction to those visited, and on his return he produced several certifi- "This property is now owned by Thomas Lees. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 373 cates from meetings visited, stating that they "felt great unity with his visit of love." He again visited the families of Byberry in 1723, and was then accompanied by Henry Comly. He died 12th mo. 9th, lyz^-y (O. S.), and left ten children : Rachel, Isaac, Jeremiah, Jacob, Sarah, Wil- liam, Abel, Job, Hannah, and Mary. Although this family was so large, and many of their descendants still reside in Horsham, yet very few are now living within the vicin- ity of Byberry. The name of William Walton has been so frequently adopted that it is amusing, without intending any disre- spect, to note how the different men were designated. The first was William Walton, the preacher ; besides him we have "William, Jr.; William Walton, Benjamin's son; William Walton, Isaac's son ; William Walton, Job's son ; William Walton, Abel's son; Billy Thornton Walton; Jersey Billy; Shoemaker Billy; Duke Billy; Pony Billy; Hector Billy; Billy Duke; Soldier Billy; Shoe. Billy's son Bill; Pony Billy's son Bill; and Hector Billy's son Bill.'* (i.) William and Sarah Walton's Children. (2.) Isaac, left three children, William (Jersey Billy), Jacob, and Isaac. (3.) Jeremiah, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Walmsley, and settled near Horsham. He died in 1 74 1. Children: William, Thomas, Rachel, Jeremiah, Jacob, James, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Phebe. Most of the Waltons about Horsham are of this family. (4.) William, died unmarried. (5.) Abel, married Rebecca, daughter of Henry Walmsley, and lived near Somerton, where he died 12th 374 THE HISTORY OF mo. 25th, 1 77 1. Children: Abel, Henry, and William. (6.) Job, married Agnes, daughter of Thomas Walms- ley, and settled where Nathaniel Richardson now lives. He had a strong constitution and performed a great deal of hard work, yet did not get rich. He sometimes preached at Byberry. He died 4th mo. i6th, 1784. Chil- dren : Isaac, Sarah, Job, Isaiah, Thomas, Mary, William, and Elijah. (7.) Hannah, married, first, Thomas Walmsley, Jr., who was killed by being thrown from his horse, in 1728; second, Thomas Mardon, a tailor, "who had been pur- chased from off shipboard'' by George James. As his time of servitude had not expired, his wife bought the remainder of his time. She died in 1741. Children: Rachel, Mary, Jacob, and Sarah. (8.) Mary, married William Homer, and settled near Willow Grove, where her descendants still reside. (2.) Isaac Walton's Children, (9.) William (Jersey Billy), married (10) Massy Walton, descendant of ( i ) Daniel, by whom he had one son, Jacob. After her decease he married Rachel Atkin- son, formerly Gilbert. He lived at one time in New Jersey, hence the name of "Jersey Billy." He was a strong man, and considered himself in his prime at 65. He probably had more enjoyment in catching "coons and wild pig- eons," and sports of a similar character, than any other man in the township. He loved to converse upon his hunting adventures, and knew every place frequented by game in the vicinity. He shot the last bear killed in either township, in a large tree back of where George E. Weiss BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 375 now lives. He died in 1807, aged 82 years. Child by last wife, William (Billy Broady). (10.) IsAAC^ married and settled in Buckingham, and was the father of Jacob and Benjamin of that place. (3.) Jeremiah and Elizabeth Walton's Children. (11.) William, married and had seven children, all of w^hom, except one, died before they were seven years old. (12.) Thomas, married and settled at Horsham. Chil- dren : Jeremiah, Silas, Thomas, Phebe, and Elizabeth. (13.) Jeremiah, was a short fleshy man, and: was called "Chunky Jerry." He married and settled in Upper Moreland. Children: Jesse, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Isaac, Joseph, and Jonathan. (14.) Jacob, married and settled at Horsham. Chil- dren: Isaiah and Charles. (5.) Ahel and Rebecca Walton's Children. (15.) Abel had eight children: Rebecca, Mary, Wil- liam, Abel, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Henry and Silas. (16.) William (Old Duke), married Mary Davis, and settled in Byberry. Children: William (Young Duke), Reese, Abel, and Job. (6.) Job and Agnes Walton's Children. (17.) Isaac, married and settled on the York Road, near the county line. He had one son, Jonathan, who married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin Worthington, and had children : Josiah, Hannah, and Agnes. 37^ THE HISTORY OF (i8.) Sarah, married Jacob Tompkins, of Philadel- phia. (19.) JoB^ married Margaret Powel, in 1763, and set- tled in Middletown. They afterwards moved to a farm on the York Road, near Hartsville, where they ended their days. Children : Job and Isaac. (20.) Isaiah^ married Sarah Pennington, and resided in Bensalem, near the river. Children: Isaiah, Mary, Jane, and Agnes. (21.) Thomas, married (21) Esther Walton, descend- ant of ( I ) Daniel, and resided on a farm now owned by Isaac Tomlinson.^^ He afterwards traded this farm to Jacob Comly for a mill on the Pennypack Creek. Chil- dren : Solomon, Mary, Amelia, Thomas, Rebecca, Keziah, Abiathar, and Asher. (22.) Mary, married Lloyd. Children: Martha and Samuel. (23.) William (Shoemaker Billy), married Mary Search, and lived in Byberry. Children: William (Old Boy), Elijah, Mary, Agnes, Amos, Christopher, and Job. (24.) Elijah, married and lived in Horsham. (y.) Hannah (Walton) Walmsley's Children. (25.) Rachel, Mary, and Jacob died single. (26.) Sarah, married Jonathan Wilson. Children: Jacob, Rachel, and Sarah. Of these Jacob married Re- becca Thomas, and inherited the homestead of ( i ) Wil- liam. Children : Ann, Mardon, Jonathan, David, Robert, Ethan, Jabez, and Jehu T. Jacob Wilson died 9th mo. " This property is now owned by Joseph Bavington. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 37/ 30th, 1814, and Rebecca, his widow, nth mo. 25th, 1842. Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Wilson, married Jesse TomHnson, of Bensalem. She died nth mo. 3d, 1849. Children : Jesse, Rhoda, and Charles. {i2.)Thomas Walton's Children. {2y.) Silas, married Phebe, daughter of John Parry. Children : Thomas, Margaret, and David. Silas died 9th mo. 19th, 1824. (28.) Phebe, married Daniel Shoemaker, and had three daughters, who severally married Joseph Foulke, Salathiel Cleaver, and Nathan Cleaver. (15.) Ahel Walton's Children. (29.) William (Pony Billy), married Mary, daughter of Henry Ridge, and settled near the Cross- roads, in Byberry. (30.) Mary, married John Sickel, and settled in Ben- salem. THE WORTHINGTON FAMILY.* The WoRTHiNGTONS came originally from Lancashire, England. The first of them that emigrated to America were three brothers, John, Samuel, and Thomas, who reached Byberry in 1705. Two others, Daniel and Richard, are mentioned about the same period, but they were probably of a different family. In the records of Abington Meeting, we find that *I am indebted to Thomas Warner, of Wrightstown, for the greater part of the genealogy of this family. 37^ THE HISTORY OF "Daniel Worthington brought a certificate there for him- self and wife from Philadelphia, loth mo. 30th, 1728." An old family record of Wrightstown states that Richard Worthington and wife were living there previous to 1750. They had children: Mahlon, born 12th mo. 19th, 1750, married Mary Paxson; John, born 9th mo. 2 1 St, 1753, died in infancy; Joseph, born 9th mo. I9thy 1754, married Rebecca Willet; Mary, born 2d mo. 5th, 1756, married Matthew Wood; Thomas, born 7th mo.4th^ 1758, married Amy Paxson; Sarah, born 5th mo. ist, 1760, married John Wetherill; Elizabeth, born ist mo. 4th, 1762, married Edmund Plumly; Tamor, born loth mo. 20th, 1763, married Jesse Lacey; John, born 8th mo. ist, 1765; Hannah, born 5th mo. i8th, 1767, married Francis Hood; Letitia, born 4th mo. i8th, 1769, married Joseph Collins; William, born 4th mo. 8th, 1771, married Thorn; and Isaac, born ist mo. 20th, 1773, married Elizabeth Marcelius. Besides Daniel and Richard, the record of Abington mentions the children of Thomas and Hannah Worthing- ton as follows: Rebecca, born ist mo. 17th, 1752; John, born 9th mo. ist, 1753 ; William, born 6th mo. 4th, 1755 ; Joseph, born loth mo. 28th, 1757; but no further account of them has been found. Thomas, one of the three brothers, was received as a member by the Monthly Meeting of Friends, at Bucking- ham and Wrightstown, in 1732. About two years subse- quently he obtained a certificate to Abington Monthly Meeting. From 1733 to 1759 he was at Byberry. In the latter year he had a difficulty with one Dunkin, but noth- ing further is known of him. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 3/9 Samuel, one of the three brothers, took a certificate for himself and wife to Abington, loth mo. 28th, 1724. They had been lately married. They settled in Byberry, where they remained until 1732. Some time after that they re- moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where they spent the remainder of their days. It is said their descend- ants have very much increased, and that one of them was a member of Congress, and another a Governor of the Ohio Territory. (i.) John, the eldest of the three brothers, was a weaver. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Walms- ley, about 1720, and settled on property since occupied bjr Joshua Worthington, in the northern end of Byberry. He was an active member of Byberry Meeting, and was much, respected. His wife died 4th mo. i8th, 1754, and he died I St mo. 14th, 1777, aged 80 years. Children: Elizabeth,. Mary, Thomas, Hannah, John, William, Isaac, Josephs Martha, Benjamin, and Esther. (i.) John and Mary Worthington^ s Children. (2.) Elizabeth, born ist mo. 15th, 1721, married! Joseph Tomlinson, in 1740. Children: Rebecca, Jolin, Thomas, Joseph, Francis, Mary, and Benjamin. (3.) Mary, born 12th mo. 9th, 1723-4; died single. (4.) Thomas, born 2d mo. 2d, 1726, married Hannah Pritchet, and settled at Churchville, Southampton, Bucks- County. He died 6th mo. 4th, 1798. Children: Joseph,^ Isaac, John, Thomas, Amos, Nathan, Benjamin, William,, Rebecca, and one daughter. (5.) Hannah, born 12th mo. 7th, 1727-8. 380 THE HISTORY OF (6.) John, born 2d mo. 17th, 1730; dkd 6th mo. 20th, 1744. (7.) William^ born 7th mo. 20th, 1732, married Esther Homer, and settled near the forks of Neshaminy, Bucks County. Children: Mary, William, Jesse, John, Esther, Benjamin, and Hiram. (8.) Isaac, born 6th mo. 13th, 1735, married Martha, daughter of John Carver, of Buckingham. They settled near West Chester in 1783, and continued to reside there until his death, in 1800. Children : Mary, William, John, Amos, Elizabeth, Eber, and Joseph. (9.) Joseph, born 6th mo. 12th, 1737, married, first, Esther Carver, in 1767, and settled in Warwick, Bucks County. Children: Joseph, who went to Virginia; and John, who went to Ohio. After Esther's death, he mar- ried Sarah Malone. Children : Abner and Sarah. After Sarah's death, he married Esther Kimble. Children: Anthony, William, Joel, Elisha, Amy, Jesse, and Isaac. (10.) Martha, born ist mo. 19th, 1740. (11.) Benjamin^ born 12th mo. 19th, 1742-3, mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Patrick Malone, and settled in Byberry. Children : Asa, John, James, Benjamin, Hannah, Mahlon, Joshua, Elizabeth, Enos, and Martha. (12.) Esther, born 12th mo. 2d, 1749-50. (7.) William and Esther Worthington's Children. (13.) Mary, married Benjamin Smith. Children: Esther, who married Jonathan Atkinson ; and Mary, who married Henry Woodman. (14.) William, married, first, Spencer. Chil- dren : William, Spencer, Asenath, and Margaret. He BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 38 1 married, second, Mary Carver, and had one son, John C.^ who married Mary, daughter of WilHam Yonker. (15.) Jesse, married Martha Walton. Children: Jacob, William, Mary, Jesse, Chalkley, and Martha. (16.) Esther, married a Spencer. (17.) Benjamin, married Mary Welding. Children: Esther, who married Jonathan K. Bonham; Amasa, who married Amy Spencer; and Benjamin, who married Pa- tience Heston. (18.) Hiram, married Agnes Walton. Children: Hiram, Susan, and Sarah. (8.) Isaac and Martha Worthington's Children. (19.) Mary, married Francis Tomlinson. Children: Tacy, who married John Roberts ; and Martha, who mar- ried Twining. (20.) William, married Amy Underwood. Children: Martha, who married William Given ; John, who married Phebe Moore, and had children, William, Mary, Charles^ Phebe, and Oliver; Eber, who married and resided in Philadelphia; and Charlotte, who married George W. Norris, and moved West. (21.) John, was a physician. He married Elizabeth Comly. Children: Lydia; Rachel, who married Amos Wilson, of Philadelphia; Robert; Jonathan; and Mary, who married Samuel Williams, of Philadelphia. {22.) Amos, born 9th mo. 2d, 1773, married Jane Taylor. Children : Isaac, who married Rebecca Newlin, and had children, John S., William N., and Harriet; John Taylor, who married Rachel Watson, and had one son, Wilmer; Dr. Wilmer, who married Elizabeth Hemphill, :382 THE HISTORY OF and had children, WilHam H., Ann Jane, Amos Edward, Emily E., Antoinette B., Malinda M., Kate D., and Caspar W. ; Carver, who married Ruth Reed, and had children, Mary, Jane, Elizabeth, Henrietta M., and Antoi- nette B. ; Malinda, who married John Marshall, and had children, Amos W., Thomas W., and Sarah Jane; Amos, 'Who died young ; and Lewis, who married Caroline Wil- •son, and had children, David W., Amos E., and Jane T. Amos died ist mo. 3d, 1834, aged 61. ((23.) Elizabeth, married, first, Jesse Roberts; second, Thomas Temple, but left no children. (24.) Eber^ married Lucy Patton. Children: Emily, who married William Siter, and had children, Wilmer W., Lucy W., John, Adam T., Eber W., Mary A., Har- riet S., William, Emily, and Malinda; Harriet, who mar- ried Jesse Conard, and had children, Eber W., Sarah Ann, and Caroline; Francina, who married Daniel Buckwalter, and had children, Isaac B., William Siter, Eber W., and Francina. (25.) Joseph,, married Emeline Evans, of Norristown. Children : Sarah, who married Robert Chalfant, and had children, Emily S., William S., Lucy W., Mary Ann, Harriet S., Eliza R., Margaret C, and JefTerson W. ; Jefferson, who married Ann Hernan, and had five chil- dren, Mary Ann, Charles M., Emily M., Rachel K., and William; Evans; Adaline; Eliza; and Joseph. (9.) Joseph and Sarah Worthington's Children. (26.) Aener, married Abigail Walton. Children: Eber; Joseph; and Sarah, who married Ezra Walmsley. (27.) Sarah^ married John Tomlinson. BYEERRY AND MORELAND. 383 (9.) Joseph and Esther Worthington's Children. (28.) Anthony,, married Deborah Walton. Children: Joel, Anthony, Robert, Esther, and Ann. (29.) Joel, married Agnes Walton. Children: Abner, John, and two daughters. (30.) Amy, married Evan Thomas, and had two daughters, one of whom married Eleazer Doan, and the other William Kirk. (11.) Benjamin and Sarah Worthington's Children. (31.) Asa, married Rebecca Subers. Children: Amos S., Adin, Ann, Chalkley, Asa, and Rebecca. (32.) John, married Sarah Walton. Children: Edward, who married Susan Singley ; George, who mar- ried Harriet Comly ; Melvina, who married Thomas Car- ter; Benjamin; Asenath; and Walton. (.33-) James, married Ann Maclay, and had one son, Franklin. (34.) Benjamin, married Ann Walton. Children: Amanda, Rebecca, Alfred, Abner, and Mary. (35.) Mahlon, married Matilda Edwards. Children: Charles, Benjamin, and others. (36.) Hannapi, married Jonathan Walton, and had several children. (37.) Joshua, married Mary, daughter of John Tom- linson, and lived on the homestead in Byberry. Children : John, Spencer, Comly. iZ'^.) Ends, married Sarah Heaton. Children: Thomas, Benjamin, Joshua, and one daughter. (39.) Martha, married John Tomlinson. 384 THE HISTORY OF THE TOMLINSON FAMILY.* The earliest account of this family in Byberry is the record of the marriage of Thomas Tomlinson^^ and Joan, daughter of Henry Walmsley, in 17 19. They first settled on a farm back of Edge Hill, but afterwards sold the property and purchased a large farm in Bensalem, where he resided the remainder of his life. He died in 1764, and his widow Joan in 1772. Children: Henry, Eliza- beth, Joseph, Thomas, Francis, Mary, and Rebecca. (i.) Thomas and Joan Tomlinson's Children. (2.) Henry, born nth mo. i6th, 1720, married Jemima Bolton, in 1753. At the death of his father, who died intestate, he being the eldest son secured all the real estate, thus leaving the rest of the children poor. He was a carpenter by trade, and frequently made plows, grain- cradles, etc. He died in 1800 much respected by his con- temporaries. Jemima died in 1802. Children: Sarah, Jemima, and Jesse.®^ (3.) Joseph, born loth mo. T3th, 1724, married Eliza- beth, daughter of John and Mary Worthington, in 1740. Children : Rebecca, John Thomas, Joseph, Francis, Mary, * The account of this family was furnished by Watson Comly of Byberry. "Thomas Tomlinson's father fought against Charles I in Eng- land and was one of the officers who conducted him to the scaffold. "Henry Tomlinson lived in Bensalem and was a farmer, as well as a carpenter. In politics he was a Tory and says of a visitor to Byberry Meeting that he spoke well, nothwithstanding the fact that he was a Whig. For about sixty years previous to his death he made memorandums of important occurrences. A portion of this diary relating to the Revolutionary War, has been inserted in this work. EYBERRY AND MORELAND. 385 and Benjamin. Elizabeth died in 1761, and Joseph mar- ried Peggy McCann. The union being an unhappy one, they finally parted. Joseph died in 1793. Children: Keziah, Benjamin, Naomi, Phebe Ann, and Issachar. Of these, Benjamin married Betsy Carlisle, and moved to Delaware County. (2.) Henry and Jemima Tomlinson's Children. (4.) Sarah and Jemima died single. (5.) Jesse^ born 3d mo. ist, 1766, married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Wilson, in 1794, and settled on the homestead in Bensalem. He was a man of great physical endurance and was much respected. He died loth mo. 27th, 1 82 1. Children: Jesse, Rhoda, and Charles. (3.) Joseph and Elisabeth Tomlinson's Children. (6.) Rebecca, born 3d mo. 2d, 1745, married Andrew Singley, of White Sheet Bay, on the Delaware River. Andrew started a lumber yard, and although unac- quainted with figures, was very successful in his business, and amassed a considerable estate. Rebecca died in 1791. Children : Elizabeth, Catharine, Mary, John, Joseph, An- drew, Rebecca, Phebe, and Jemima. (7.) John, born ist mo. 26th, 1748, married Phebe, daughter of Patrick Malone, • in 1773. Several years afterwards he purchased a farm of Amos Simpson, near Bustleton, where he resided the remainder of his life. He was a very quiet man, and by industry and good manage- ment acquired a large estate. Their children : William, 25 3^6 THE HISTORY OF John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, James, Mary, and Thomas. (8.) Thomas, born 2d mo. 21st, 1747, married Phebe, daughter of Isaac Carver, in 1775. They lived for forty years on a farm back of Smithfield, which belonged to Silas Walmsley, but they never accumulated much prop- erty. Their children: Elizabeth, Phebe, Martha, Isabel, Joseph, John, Amos, Isaac, Francis, Thomas, and Silas. (9. )v.JosEPH^.married -Mary, widow of Benjamin Tay- lor, and daughter of Isaac Carver. He died in 1792, leaving no issue. (10.) Francis, born 8th mo. 8th, 1753, lived near the Forks of Neshaminy. He married, and had children, — Tacy, who married John Roberts, and Elizabeth, who married William Tomlinson. (11.) Mary, born 6th mo. 22d, 1755, married James Malone, and settled near West Chester. ( 12.) Benjamin, born 4th mo. 25th, 1758, died 3d mo. 22d, 1775. Andrew and (6) Rebecca Singley's Children. (13.) Elizabeth, married Daniel Osmond. Children: Rebecca, who married John Osmond ; Mary, who married Daniel Stevenson; and Sarah, who married Elisha New- bold. (14.) Catharine, ma;rried John Hill, and lived near the Red Lion. They had one daughter. (15.) Mary, married Abraham Vansant. Children: John and Alonzo. (16.) John, married Sarah, daughter of William Wal- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 387 ton (Jersey Billy). They had one child, Hannah, who married John Lippincott. (17.) Joseph^ married Esther, daughter of Thomas Knight. They had two daughters. (18.) Andrew^ married Mary, daughter of John Ed- wards. They had children: Amos, Ellen, Susan, Ed- ward, Joseph, Andrew, Mary, and Alice. (19.) Rebecca^ married Joseph Rees. Children: Wil- liam, Mary, Phebe, John, Catharine, Charles, and George. (20.) Phebe, married, first, Robert Ervin, and had two sons, Andrew and William. She married, second, John Price, and had one daughter. (21.) Jemima, married Moses Davis. Children: Wil- liam, and others. (7.) John and Phebe Tomlinson's Children. (22.) William, married Martha, daughter of Benja- min Taylor and granddaughter of Isaac Carver, and set- tled in Byberry. They had children : Mary, Aaron, John, James, Silas, Benjamin, Phebe, William, and Isaac. (23.) John, married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Worthington. Children : William, Mary, Sarah, Joseph, and Jason. John died ist mo. 21st, 1841. (24.) Sarah and Elizabeth died single. (25.) Benjamin, married Asenath, daughter of Joseph Walton, but had no children. (26.) James, married Tacy, daughter of James Car- ter. {2y.) Mary, married Joshua Worthington, and settled on the old Worthington homestead, in Byberry. ChJl- dren: John, Comly, and Spencer. 388 THE HISTORY OF (28.) Thomas^ married Ann, daughter of Isaac Wal- ton. They have children : Watson, Spencer, John Isaac, and Lydia Ann. (8.) Thomas and Phehe Tomlinson's Children, (29.) Elizabeth, married Benjamin Field. Children: Robert, Phebe, Thomas, Tomlinson, Isaac, Mary, Benja- min, and James. (30.) Phebe, married James Carter. Children: Mor- decai, Tacy, Emily, Stephen, Thomas, Mary, James, and William. (31.) Joseph, married Elizabeth Twining. Children: James, Caroline, Hannah, Thomas, and Joseph. (32.) Isabella, died single. (33.) Thomas, married Rebecca Twining. Children: Elizabeth, Emmor, Mordecai, Abner, Hannah, Phebe, Thomas, James, and Rebecca. (34.) Isaac, married Mary Dewees. Children: Samuel, Aaron, Rebecca, Carver, Susannah, Comly, Chalkley, Thomas, and Sarah. (35.) John, married Martha Worthington. Chil- dren : Ezra, Hannah, Wilmer, Francis, and Stephen. He died 4th mo. 5th, 1846. (36.) Francis, married Deborah Twining. Children: Edward, Hannah, Phebe, Deborah, and Francis. He died 5th mo. 2d, 1835. (37.) Martha, married John Praul. Children: Isaac, Thomas, William, Francis, Elias, and Philip. (38.) Amos, married Caroline Praul. Children: Re- BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 389 becca, Charles, Francis, Edward, and Amanda. He died ist mo. 31st, 1841. (39.) Silas, unmarried. THE SHEARER FAMILY.'^ Jacob Shearer emigrated to America from Berne, Switzerland. He died prior to the Revolution, and left seven children: Jacob, known as Jacob Shearer, Si*., Jonathan, Henry, William, Catharine, Mary, and Eliza- beth. Jacob Shearer, Sr., was born in Moreland, in the year 1755. At the commencement of the Revolution he en- tered the Continental Army as a private, but was after- wards made a captain, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He was in several minor engage- ments, also in the Battle of Germantown. Throughout the whole struggle, he steadily relied on the success of the American Army, even amid its most discouraging re- verses, and his sword, now in the possession of his grand- son, Jacob Shearer, bears this motto on its blade, "The Got whome we serve" is able to deliver us." During the war he casually formed the acquaintance of Lafayette, by whom he was pleasantly remembered on the return of "the nation's guest" to this country in 1824. He was accustomed to relate to his children many anecdotes in connection with this acquaintance. Jacob Shearer was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives, in 1805, and continued in that office until 181 1. he served until 181 7. He held several other offices, among * I am indebted to Charles S. Keyser, Esq., of Philadelphia, for the account of this family. 390 THE HISTORY OF In 1814 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate, where which was that of County Commissioner. He resided during the greater part of his life on his farm above Bus- tleton, where he died in 1837, aged 82 years.^^ He was three times married. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Northrop; she died soon after her marriage without issue. He then married her sister, Sarah Northrop, by whom he had three children, Eliza- beth, John, and Jacob. His third wife was Rachel, daughter of John de Nyce, by whom he had three chil- dren, Jane, Susan, and Ann. Elizabeth^ married Jesse Randall, and died soon after her marriage, leaving one child, Comly Randall, still liv- ing. John, married Mary Jane Wright, of Philadelphia, and emigrated to Illinois, where he now resides. Chil- dren: Jacob, deceased; John, Edward, Sarah, deceased; Mary, deceased ; and Ann, deceased. Jonathan, the second son, resided also in Moreland, and left children : Sarah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mary Ann, Catharine, Amanda, and Emeline. Henry, left three daughters and one son, Joseph, who emigrated with John Shearer to Illinois, and died at Kas- kaskia. William, married Eliza Maris, niece of Rachel de Nyce, and left five children : Caroline, deceased ; Anna, Catharine, deceased; William, deceased; and Eliza. Catpiarine, died unmarried. Mary, married Scates, and had three children: "Jacob Shearer's farm is now owned by Jamison Lett. BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 39 1 Alexander, Sarah, deceased; and the third, who died young. Elizabeth, married Schock, and had four chil- dren. Jacob, Shearer, Jr., inherited the quaHties of his father, and became prominent early in life as a politician. Few things indeed transpired in the townships without being more or less influenced by him. After serving in all the township offices, such as supervisor, assessor, school director, etc., he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, where he acquired considerable reputation for his sound judgment. On the rise of the Native Ameri- can party he was by them nominated as a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by Charles J. Ingersoll. After this he withdrew from the active field of politics. He married Margaret Pitman, of the Baldwin family, and settled on the old homestead in Moreland, where he spent his whole life. He died in 1854, leaving five children; Josephine, Martha, Susan, Jacob, and Margaret. Jane, married Jesse Dungan, and resided in Bustleton. She had children: Joseph, Jacob S., Caroline, deceased; Alfred; Charles, deceased; and Edward, deceased. Susan, married Joseph Keyser, of the Germantown family. She has children: Charles S., William F., Caro- line, Martha, Jane, deceased, and Joseph, deceased. Ann, married John Vansant. She has children : Ann, deceased, Edward, Joseph, William Henry, Robert, and John. 392 THE HISTORY OF CONCLUSION. The history of Byberry and Moreland is now com- pleted. It would be folly for us to expect it to be free from errors, for it has been obtained almost entirely from old manuscripts, some of which were not easily decipher- ed ; yet nothing has been inserted unless there was a strong probability of its truth ; and we think it will be found as reliable as any similar production heretofore published. The preparation of this history was commenced many months since, but the difficulties attending its compilation were so great that we often despaired of ever completing it. The cares and perplexities of business were so mani- fold, that nothing but an ardent attachment to our native place, its people, and its institutions, could have induced us to deny ourselves the many hours of needed recreation and even of sleep that were necessary to work the matter into its present condition. But this has been done; and now that the toil is over, we can revert with satisfaction to the many pleasant hours which we have thus spent in looking over the records of bygone times, and tracing the pages written by hands long since mingled with the dust. From these we have learned some of the many difficulties attending the early settlement, and can picture to our- selves the destitute condition of those primitive settlers who left comfortable homes in Old England and came over here to reclaim the uncultivated wilds of America. We have traced their history as generation succeeded generation, carefully noting the improvements which from time to time were introduced, the rise and progress of the BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 393 religious institutions, and the introduction of schools and societies for the diffusion of learning, — ^that talisman which so effectually dispels the dark and dangerous clouds of error and superstition. We have viewed them almost in a state of semi-barbarism, living the lives of the sav- ages around them, and we have watched them emerging from this condition as each succeeding generation became better and better acquainted with the teachings of science and reason, until they now stand confessedly in the first ranks of an enlightened people, with institutions in their midst, which, we trust, will forever dispel all dreams of witchcraft and similar follies, and leave the human mind to be guided by the light of truth and religion. It has been under a government — the best the world ever saw — that our forefathers of Byberry and Moreland have been so prosperous and happy; and that that government may continue in all its glory and efficiency, so that the sons and daughters of these lovely districts may, for all time to come, bask in the sunshine of peace and prosperity, under the benign influence of this republic, is the earnest wish of the author. INDEX. Abington, 229, 255. Adams, Benjamin. 221. John, 62, 240. Rebecca, 160. Adelphian Society, 173. Agriculture, 89, 00, 148-155. Albertson, 39. Alcoholic Drinks, 104, 205, 210. All Saints' Church, 43, 103, 109, iii, 209, 237. Amos Knight's Corner, 220. Amos, Ann, 62. Philip, 62. Animals, 28, 48. 49, 53, 78, 79, 206, 211, 222 Anti-Slavery Society, 199. Arnold, Mrs. Thomas Franklin, 120. Ashton, Isaac, 64. Assessments, 144-146. Astrology, 51. Atkinson, Benjamin, 152. Watson, 106, 121, 171. Authors, 175, 236, 277. 296, 297. Babylon. 219. Bailey, Rev. Mahlon, 120. Balloon, 209. Banes, Thomas, 203. Baptists, -'I3, III, 119, 226, 227. Barns. 196. Barton, Charles, 120. Elizabeth. 210. Battles. 68. Beale, William, 45. Bedford, Gunning, 74. Benezet, 55. 66. 251. Benjamin Rush School, 136. Benksen, Andrew, 21. Bensalem, 76. Biddle, John, 257. Big Woman, 186, 187, 188. Biles, William, 231, 232. Billet, 70. Bills of Credit, 73. Birkman. George. 159. Births, 189. - — 39^ INDEX. Black, John, 210. Black Lake, 219. Blackford, John, 50. Boileau, 192. Bolton, 254-263. Abel, 256, 262. Aquilla, 262. Edward, 255. Elizabeth, 255, 258. Everard, 45, 254, 255, 258, 262. Hannah, 256. Isaac, 257," 259, 260, 261, 358. Jemima, 259. Jesse, 261. Joseph, 259, 260. Lydia, 257. Margaret, 259, 261. Martha, 258. Mary, 256, 258, 260. Priscilla, 258. Rachel, 259, 261, 262. Rebecca, 258, 259. Robert, 254. Samuel, 256, 259, 261. Sarah, 112, 259, 261. Thomas, 261, William, 256, 260. Bonner, Charles, 119. James, 242. Book of Discipline, 102. Bore, Lansey, 21. Borman, Mary, 36. Boucher, 69. Bragg, Roger, 49. Breck, Lucy, 177. Brickyards, 60. Bristol, 76. Bristol Turnpike, 156. British, 68. Brock, John, 43, 45. Brockdon, Richard, 49. Brooks, Rev. John, 120. Broom Corn, 152. Brous, Henry, 80. Brown, Benjamin, 117. Jackson, 158. James, 1 16. Rachel, 117. -;■--" Buck Hotel, 70. -" Buck, W. J., 10, 100. INDEX. 397 Buckwheat, 149, i53- Buckman, Joshua, 140. Budd, Thomas, 28. Bunting, James, 123, 127. Burial Places, 37, 3^, 39, 44, 66, 67, 108, 164-171- Burlington, 45. Burroughs, Francis, 94. Buskirk, Jacob, 59. Bustleton, 68, 78. Bustleton and Somerton Turnpike Road, 156. Buzby, Elizabeth, 37. ' . ; Byberry and Andalusia Turnpike, 157. Byberry and Bensalem Turnpike Road, 156. Byberry Creek, 214. Byberry Cross-Roads, 57, 59, 62, 78, 204, 219. Byberry Institute, 201. Byberry Literary Society, 200. Byberry Meeting, 102- Hi, Frontispiece. Byberry, Name, 19. > Byberry Point, 219. Byberry School, 138-144. Byberry Store, 89, 224. Cabinet, 172. Cadwalader, Benjamin, 300. Cyrus, 301. Phebe, 300. Rachel, 300. Ruth, 114. Cameron, William, 123, 127. Carlisle, John, 301. Carter, James, 180, 247, 248. Carter's Mill, 180, 220. Carver, 55, 263-269. Homestead, 265. Ann, 265. Ascenath, 267. Eli, 268. Elizabeth, 268. George, 26S. Hannah, 267. Isaac, 124, 265. Isabel, 267. Jacob, 263, 269. James, 80, 264. Jane, 268. John, 20, 25, 31, 43, 44, 45, 46, 54, 57, 80, 177, 193, 263, 264, 265, 267, 268, 339. Joseph, 25, 46, 263, 267, 268, 269. Mahlon, 10, 20, 78, 85, i8o, 263, 266. Martha, 266, I'^'j. 398 INDEX. Mary, 264, 266, 267, 268. Nanny, 266. Phebe, 266. Priscilla, 268. Rachel, 266, 268, 269. Richard, 57, 264, 256. Samuel, 46, 265, 268. Sarah, 267, 268, 269. William, 45, 263, 269. Caves, 27, 29, 90. Cemeteries, :si, 38, 39. 44, 66, 67, 108, 164-171. Chalkley, Thomas, 56. Chamberlin, 76. •'Chapel," 117, 119. Cholera, 178. Churches, 102-121. Citizens, 174. Claypoole. James, 94. Clayton, Hannah, 127. Sallie, 117. Clothing, 29, 81, 104, 197. Coleman, Elizabeth, 116. Collectors, 69. Collett, Crispin, 58. Richard, 25, 42, 43. Comfort, David, 106, 114, 199. James, 106. Thornton, 106. Comly, 55, 60, 91, 270-301. Abigail, 286, 289. Abraham, 286. Agnes, 281, 283, 286, 289, 291, 294. Benjamin, 290. Charles, 5, 152, 178. Charlotte, 283. Clement. 283. David, 293. Elizabeth, 278, 279, 283, 290. Emmor, 115, 130. Esquire. 68. Ethan, 299. Ezra, 282, 299. Franklin. 47, 80, 280. Gaynor, 287. Grace, 281, 300. Hannah, 279, 283, 287. Henry, 45, 47, 50, 270, 271, 2^z, 274, 275, 2'JT, 278, 286. Isaac, 5, 9, 171, 176, 196, 213. Jacob, 278. 286, 292. James, 280, 292, 293. INDEX. 399 Jane, 281, 283. Jesse, 278, 287. John, 63, 105, no, 114, 122, 123, 140, 161, 171, 176, 179, 282 285, 286, 287, 293, 295, 296, 297. Jonathan, 50, 276. 2.^], 278, 293. Joseph, 154, 276, 278, 285, 288, 289, 297. Joshua, 276, 278, 279. Margaret, 279. Martha, 281, 291, 295. Mary, 113, 274, 275, 276, 2.']^, 279, 281, 287. Nathan, 282. Phebe, 276, 2'j'j, 279. Rachel, 276, 277. Rebecca, 277, 279, 283. Richard, 290. Robert, 280, 281, 282, 285. Samuel, 279, 285, 287. Sarah, 130, 277, 283, 290. Susan, 283. Susanna, 287, 288, 290. Thomas, 285, 291. Walter, 290. Watson, s, 33, 2^]. Willet, 280/ Comly's Mill, 178, 223. Conclusion, 292-293. Conrad, Cornelius, 258. Continental Money, 76, 193. Cook, Richard, 119, 120. Coonville. 222. Cooper, James, 51, 247, 277. James, Fennimore, 245 William, 174, 243-247. Cope, Gilbert, 20. Corbit. Henry, 262. Cornwell, Rev., 120. Courtship, 105. Cox, Jane, 191. Cox, Joseph, 'j^. Creeks, 194,, 213, 214, 218. Cresson's Corner, "j^, 135. Cresson, Warder. 116, 176. Croasdale, 117, 152. Crops, 149, 207. f Cross, John, 45. William, 119. Cross-Roads, 57, ^9, 62, 78. 204, 21Q Customs, S7>, 77-S2, 100, 104, 147 Davis, Ellis, 256. John, 113, 267. 400 INDEX. William, 49- Gen. W. W. H., lo, 54, 63, 227. Deaths, 189, 190. Decatur, 174, 251-253. Delaware River, 18. Devitt, William, 120. Dietz, 120. Discovery, 17. Disease, 65, 66, 177, 210. Distillery, 205. Distinguished Citizens, 174, 226-253. Ditches, 33, 49. Doctors. 86^ 196, 235, 236, 239, 260. Dogs, 198. Dougherty, Annie, 85. Dover, 75. Dress, 29, 81, 104, 197. Dudley, Charles, 119. Homestead, 207. Wallace, 119. William, 119. Dufiield, 55, 302-308. Homestead, 303. Benjamin, 50, 302, 303, 306, 307. Catherine, 306, 307. Edward, 74, 150, 155, 174, 175, 196, 303, 304, 305, 3o6, 307. Elizabeth, 303, 306. Hannah, 303. James, 303. John Potts, 308. Joseph, 302, 303, 306. Martha R., 307. Mary, 303, 306, 308. Rebecca, 308. Sarah, 303, 307. Uz, 306. Duncan, 45, 231, 294. Dungan, Jesse, 391. Dunkin, Edmund, 45. William, 45, 57. Dunk's Ferry, 60. Durham Company, 94, 250, 251. Dutch. 18. Dyer, Charles, 117, 123, 127, 134. Earthquakes, 56, 63. Eastburn, John, 121. Eckfeldt, Harry. 119, 120. Jacob, 80. Education, 49, 50. 64, 65, 121-144. Edwards, Alexander, 64, 192, 195. INDEX. 401 Enoch, 174, 175, 196, 235, 236. John, 117. Elections, 88. Ellis, Josiah, 25, 31. Samuel, 26, 39. Ellwood's Run, 220. Emigration, 01, 209. English, Henry, 26, 40, 43» 50> 228. Joseph, 229, 271. Josiah, 26, 36. Erwin, William, 241. Everett, Ezekiel, 117. Fairman, Thomas, 97. Fairs, 83. Farming, 89, 90, I48-I55- Fell, Joshua, 141. Fences, 49. Fertilizers, 150. Fever, 177. Fire Insurance, 212. Fires, 70. First Edition, 10. First Settlers, 18, 19, 25, 26, 2'], 29, 48, 99, 144. Fisher, Joseph, 39. Fly, Hessian, 149. Russian, 149. Folwell, William, 191. Food, ^T, 28, 80, 84. Footprints, 217. Forrest, Walter, 26, 38, 59, 61, 229. Fortune-Telling, 51. Foster, 43, 192, 231. Frankford Friends' Meeting, 36. Fraternal Society, 200. Free Society of Traders, 28, 92. Frost, 208. Gallagher, Colonel, 207, 208. Galloway, Joseph, ^2, 75, 191, 250, 251. Game, 28, 48, 49, 53, 79, I54, 206, 222. Genealogies, 6, 254-391. Geology, 213-218. Gilbert, 308-317. Abigail, 314. Abner, 316. Benjamin, 61, ^^, 124, 174, 175, 178, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316. Beulah, 317. Caleb. 315. David, 317. Elizabeth, 315, 316. J? 402 INDEX. Jesse, 315. John, 26, 43.. 46, 113. 308, 309, 315- Joseph, 46, 48, 58, 167, 309, 310, 311, 314. Joshua, 140, 176, 292, 311, 315-317- Mary, 113, 127, 3ii» 3i6. Phebe, 311, 316. Rachel, 314. Rebecca, 311, 316. Sarah, 311, 314, 315- Tacy, 317. Thomas, 317. Gingerbread Field, 220. Glentworth, 68. Godfrey School, 134-136. Gordon, q6. Gordon's Mill, 181. Gorsuch, 25. Grant to Penn, 21, 22. Graveyards, 37-39, 44» 66, 67, 108, 164-171. Green Spring, 40, 46, 97, 98, 233. Griffith, Abraham, 112. Grimes, Mary, 192. Griscomb, David, 126. Groome, Thomas, 26, 43, 45. Growden, zj, 55, 250. Guerrilla Warfare, 74, 75. Gun Factory, 60. Gunning, 154. Hampton, Ann, 113. Asenath, 9. Harding, Jesse, 118. Thomas, 274. Harrison, James, 94. John, 98. Revitt, 98. Hart, John, 25, 35-39, 43, 164, 226, 227. Oliver, 227. Hartsville, 74. Headstones, 168. Heaton, Nancy, 62. Robert, 47, 98, 265. Hedges, 49, 154. Heller, Charles, 118. Helverson, Sammy, 203. Hepburn, Elizabeth, Fanny, James, Sarah, Stacy, 308. Hibbs, Timothy, 160. William, 26, 43, iii, 230. Hickey, Catherine, 192. INDEX. 403 Hicks, Edward, no. Elias, no. Gilbert, 'jd. Hicksites, 106-108. Hillborn, Amos, 114. Jane, 130. John, 181. Hilt, John, 62. Holgate, John, 190, 191. Holme, John, 28, 46, 98. Thomas, 46, 63, 94. Map, Section of, 19. Homer, Thomas, 192. William, 231. 367. Hoopes, Eber, 123. Joshua, 171. Horses, 153. Horsham, 55, 102, 105. Hotchkin, Rev. S. F., 9-1 1, 13, 120, 121. Hotels, 57, 62, 69, 70, ^d, 210. Houses, 29, 33, 40, 52, 53, 79» 99, 202-205. Howard, T"^, 160. Howell's Mill, 70. Howell, Arthur, 103. Hudson, 17. Humphreys, Jacob, 68. Hunt, John, no. Priscilla, no. Hunting Grounds, 32. Hurricane, 183. Hutchings, Rev., 120. Hybert, John, 45. Implements, 48, 90, 154. Indians, 22-27, 3i. 32, 60, 76-78, 94, 167, 211, 212, 312-314. Ingraham, Alfred, Catharine, Edward D., Francis, 307. Insects, 56, 58. Iredell, Charles, Grace, Joseph, Rachel, Rebecca, Robert, 30J Jackson, John, 58. Mrs. Thomas, 120. Samuel, 57, 112. James, Abel, 232. David, 117, 118, 232. George, 45, 230. Isaac, 117. Thomas, 80. Jerden, Mary, 160. Johnson, 43. Justice of Peace, 64. Kaintuck, 220. Keach, Elias, 98. 404 INDEX, Keen, John, 191. Sinixson, 241. Keith, 36, 42, 226, 230, 232. Keyser, Joseph, 391. Kingstone, Abel, 45, 229. Kirk, Jacob, 301. Kite, Benjamin, 19, 65, ^2. ^ight, 55, 60, 317-336. Abel, 192, 324, 325, 331, 336. Abigail, 323. Abraham, 329, 330. Absalom, 329, 331. Alexander, 332. Allen, 2>2f^^. Amos, 330. 331. Ann, 102, 325, 327, 329, 334, 335. Anna, 334. Asa, 324, 330. Benjamin, 336. Caleb, 330. Charles, 335. Daniel, 58, 328, 329, 334, 335. David, 329, 330. Ebenezer, 335. Edwin, 335. Eliza, 326. Elizabeth, 324, 326-328. Esther, 325-330. Evan, 295, 324, 326, 335. George, 326. Giles, 25, 27, 31. 35. 39, 43, SO, 61, 318-320, 322-325. Grace, 331, 335- Hannah, 327, 332, 335. 336. Inglish, 329. Isaac, 264, 325, 326. Israel, 324, Z'zs. James, 334, 335. Jane, 334. Jesse, 325, 327. John 318, 326, 329, 330, 331, 336. Jonathan, 45, 58, 328, 329, 332-334- Joseph, 33, 318, 321, Z2Z, 325. 326, 328, 329. Judge, 129. Julia, 332. Leonard, 32. Lydia, 336. Margaret, 335. Martha, 329. INDEX. 405 Nathan T., 326. Owen, 332. Paul, 334, 336. Phebe, 325, 327. Phineas, 331. Rachel, 325. Rebecca, 323, 330. Richard, 327. Robert, 336. Ruth, 332. Samuel, 196, 329, 331, 332. Sarah, 324, 326, 330, 334, 335. Seth, 332. Susannah, 323. 1 acy, 334. Thomas, 26, 43, 45, 58, I44, 325, 327, 329, 330, 333, 336. Townsend, 325. William, 57, 328. Knight's Corner, 220. Knight's Mill, 220. Knightsville, 125, 129, 164, 203, 221. Knox, Abbic, 117. Rev. Charles, 120. Thomas, 123, 237. Krewson, 50, 68. Lacey, General, 69, 70, 74. La Fayette, 75, y6. Laffert, Henry, 131. Land, 208. Langhorne, 74, 76. Jeremiah, 93. "Lazy Lane School," 134-136. Lectures, 171, 172. Legislature of New Jersey, 74. Lewis, John, 120, 126. Levis, Levis, 64. Library, 56, 161-163, 167, 199. Liken, Hans, 21. Limestone, 99. Lippincott, Mary, no. Literary Record, 200. Livezey, Thomas, 60. Lloyd, Isaac, 263. Loomas, Rev. Herbert, 120. Lovelace, 25. Lower Dublin Academy, 304. Lower Dublin Poor House, 161. Lukens, Abraham, Agnes, Lydia, Nathan, 283. Maddox, Joshua, 64. MSail, .158, 159. 406 INDEX. Mansons, 222. Maple Grove School, 131. Maps, Roggerveen's, 17. Somerton, 60, 219, Holme, 63. Section of, 19. Scull, 63. Mardon, Thomas, 190, 374. Marriage, 30, 37, 105, 271, 272. Marshall, John, 249. Nathan, 260. William, 58. Martindale, 337-343- Abner, 341. Amos, 338-341. Ann, 339, 341. Charles, 342. David, 341. Elijah, 343. Elizabeth, 342. Ellen, II. Esther, 340, 343. Frances, 343. Hannah, 339-341- Isaac, 6, 9, 10, 338. Jacob, 340. Jane, 341. John, 337, 339, 342. Jonathan, 338, 342. Joseph, 117, 177, 337, 339. Lucy Ann, 342. Mahlon, 339. Margaret, 340. Martha, 339, 342. Mary, 338-343- Mercy, 342. Miles, 338, 340. Phineas, 339, 343. Rachel, 338, 341, 342. Rebecca, 343. Robert. 341. Samuel, 340, 342. Sarah, 338, 340, 341, 343. Susannah, 340. Strickland, 338, 341. Tacy, 341. Thomas, 338, 341-343- Watson. II. William, 337, 340, 341. McCaskey, J. W., 118. McDowell, Susan, 127. INDEX. 407 McFarlan, James, 117. McLane, Allen, 75. Mechanicsville, 127, 224, 225. Meeting, 35, 36, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 47, 54, 57, 58, 61, 62, 102-111. Meeting House, 35, 36, 44, 47, 50, 58, 59, 103, 107. Meeting House Ground, 109. Members of Byberry Meeting, 109, no. Of Baptist Chapel, 119, 120. Of Methodist Church, 117. Of St. Andrews in the Field, 120. Methodists, no, in, 117. Middletown, 47. Mifflin, Warner, 104. Militia Training, 207, 208. Miller, John, 74. Mills, 48, 50, 61, 63, 66, 100, 178-182, 214, 229. Minerals, 215, 216. Minktown, 221. Mitchell, Joseph, 50. Moon, Moses, 63. Moore, Ann, 112, 232. Mary, 97. Nicholas, 26, 35, 40, 46, 50, 92-102, 233-235. Rebecca, 97. Samuel, 97. Samuel Preston, 227, Sarah, 98. Stephen West, 22^. Walter, 50, 112. Moreland, 26, 35, 46, 50, 92-102, 128. Morrell, Gen. E. D., 205. Morris, James, 37. Mowing Machine, 155. Mullikay, 18. Murray, Major, 74. Naylor, R. D., 118. Negroes, 54, 60, 66, 94, 165, 199. Newbold. Elizabeth, 116. Samuel, m4. New Burial Place," 169. New County, 182. Newtown, 26. Nichols, William, 26, 38. Oath of Allegiance, 72. Old Burial Place, 168, 169. Oldmixon. 28, 95. Old Sod, 196. Oran, Fanny, 1x5. Qsborn, Sophronia, 115. Osmond, Daniel, 286. 4o8 INDEX. Ott, Andrew, 237. Overseers of Byberry Meeting, 45» 229. Of Poor, 160, 161. Parry, Amy, 284. David, 258, 281. Edward, 83. Isaac, 281, 284. Joseph, 284. Martha, 358. Reuben, 80. Robert, 284. Samuel, 284. Patrick Henry School, 127. Paul, Samuel, 325. Pauper Burial Place, 164. Paxson, Jonathan, 326. Pear, John, 49. Benny, 205. Peart, Bryan, 369. William, 192. Penn, 28. Penn County, 182. Pennington, Daniel, 55. Penn's Terms, 33, 34, ^T. Perth, 221. Philadelphia, 32. Phillips, Robert, 178. Philosophical Society, 171, 173, Phipps, Thomas, 361. Physicians, 86, 196, 235, 236, 239. Pike, Henry, 125. Pitman, Robert, 125. Plaster of Paris, 150. Pleasantville, 127, 221. Plumbsock (See Cross-Roads). Plumsted, Francis, 94. Poor, 38, 54, 55, 59, 73, 164, 190, 191, 206, 208. Population, 21, 66. Poquessing, 194, 213, 216. Porter, 158. Margaret, 113. Post-Offices, 158, 159. Potatoes, T51. Powel, Thomas, 130. William, 130. Powel ton, 130, 222. Powers, Benjamin, Grace. Mary, 301. Preachers at Byberry Meeting, 57, 103, 105, no, in, 297. At the "Chapel," no, 120. INDEX. 409 At Somerton Methodist Episcopal Church, 117-119, 226, 2^1. 236. At St. Andrews in the Field, 120. Prettyman, L., 117. Price, Tommy, 71. Property, 66. Quarries, 216, 218. Quee, Susan, 160. Quit Rent, 34, 67. Ramsdorp, 2t. Ramsey, Rev. William, 120, Randall, Comly, 291, 292. Jesse, 390. Jonathan, 291. Nathan, 291, Nicholas, 291, 292. Rachel, 291. Thomas, 291. Reading, Thomas, 117. Red Lion Hotel, 62, 63, 76. Reed, William, 269. Religious Disputes, 42-44. References, 5, 6, 9-1 1. Remarkable Occurrences, 183, 208. Revolution, 62, 63, 68. Rhoads, Ann, 117. Elizabeth, 117. Richardson, Nathaniel, 117. Rideout, Nicholas, 46. Ridge's Mill, 222. Ridge, William, 363. Ridgevvay, Henry, no. Roads, 156, 157. Roads, Jacob, 192. Roberts, Abigail, 131 Edmund, 256. Thomas, 194. William, 50. Robinson, Patrick, 96. Rocks, 215, 216. Rush, 55,'6o, 61. Dr. Benjamin, 174, 239-241. James, 228. Joh"; 25, 42, 43, 227, 228. William, 36, 37, 42, 58, 228. Ryan, Isaac, 75. Rye, 149. Salters, Anne, 97. 4IO INDEX. Samms, Sarah, 123. Thomas, 123, 266. Saurman, 243-247. Ann, 345. Jacob, 69, 80, 166, 345> 340. Jonathan, 347. Josiah, 346. Maria, 347. Martin, 345, 347- Mary, 346. Peter, 344. 345- Philip, 343, 344. Rebecca, 346. Yerkes, 346. Savre, Charles, 249. Schools, 49-51, 57, 64, 87, 100, 108, 121-144, 203. Watson Comly, 139. School Books, 122. Scotts, 91. Jacob, 112. Samuel, 238. Thomas, 45. Scull, Hannah, 263. James, 262. Joseph, 262. Nicholas, 63. Samuel, 263. Sarah, 262. Seary, Sarah, 36. Self-Government, 73. Shallcross, Edward, 50. Thomas, 201, 233. Shearer, 389-391. Ann, 391. Catharine, 390. Elizabeth, 390, 391. Henry, 390. Jacob, 389-391. Jane, 391. John, 390. Jonathan, 39C». Mary, 390. Susan, 391. William, 390. Sheep, 198. Shives, Isaac A., 119. Shoemaker, Amy, 284. Benjamin, 284. Comly, 284. Daniel, 377. INDEX. 411 Eli, 284. Jane, 284. Mary, 284. Rebecca, 284. Robert, 284. Samuel, 281. Shotwell, Sarah, 116. Shuli, Rev., 120. Shute, Thomas, QQ. Sides, Jacob, 136. Silk Culture, 199. Simcoe's Queen's Rangers, 74. Simmons, John, 248, 249. Thomas, 153. Simon, John, 119, 120. Simpson, James, 152. John, 114. Singley, Andrew, 70, 386, 387. Catherine, 386. Elizabeth, 386. Jemima, 387. John, 386. / Joseph, 387. Marv. 386. Phebe, 387. Rebecca, 386, 387. Skirmishes, 68. Slavery, =54, 60, 66, 94, 199. Sluby, William, 98. Small-pox, 192, 194. Smedley's Mill, 181. Smith, Christopher, 249. Samuel, 126, Smithfield, ^2, 60. Snyder, Major John, 74. Societies, 171-174, 199, 200, 206. Somerton, 52. 135, 203, 204, 223. Sommer, 72, 223, 242, 243. Southampton Baptist Church, 43. Sparold, Samuel, 90. Stackhouse, Ann, Isaac, John, Jonathan, Martha, ihomas, 275. St. Andrews in the Field, 117, 120, 121. States, Andre, 86. Mary, 192. Peter, 192. Storekeeping, 89. Streams, 194, 213, 214, 218. Storms, 56, 65, 183, 192-195, 207. Studies, 123. Superstition, 51, 84, 85, 100, 412 INDEX. Surface, 213-218. Surveyors, 63. Swearing, 191, 192. Swedes, 18, 21. 25. Sweet Apple Crook, 100. Swift, 55. Dr. 196, 236. John, 276. Tailor, 197. Taminy, 78. Taverns, 57, 59, 62, 67, 70, 76, 210. Tax, 66, 69, 145, 209. Taylor, Benjamin. 266. Teachers, 49, 50, 65, 87, 121, 124, 126, 127, 128, 13T, 134, 136, I39. 238, 241, 249, 298. Temperance, 104. Terry, John, 362. William, 119, 120. **The Congress,"' 200. The Pines, 201. Thomas, Captain, 74. Evan, 45, 58. Robert, 70. Thomas' Mill, 229. Thornton, 351-353. Hannah, 123. James, 64, 70, 79, 102, 103, 112, 122, 126, 131, 155, 175, 35i» 352. Joseph, 125. Mary, 352. Three Tuns, 59, 62. Tibby, John, 45. Til Iyer School, 128, 129. Tillyer, Charles, 80. William, 50, 165. Timber, 32, 48, 204-206. Timber Swamp, 222. Titus, Silas, 58, 348. Todd, CufiFv, 55. Tomlinscn, 384-389. Amos, 388. Benjamin, 290, 386, 387. Francis. 386, 388. Henry, 65, 'jz, 76, 384, 385. Diary of, 76, 103. Isaac, 388. Isabella, 388. James, 387. Jes.se, 385. John, 75, 385. .388. INDEX. 413 Joseph. 384-3^6, 388. Martha, 388. Mary, 387. Phebe, 388. Rebecca, 385. Sarah, 385, 387. Silas, 389, Thomas, 266, 384, 386, 388. Watson, 117. William, 266, 387. Topography, 213-218. Tories, ^2., 74. Townsend, 347-351. Abi, 127. Elizabeth, 350, 351. Evan, 181, 349, 350. Ezra, 64. 78, 161, 350. Grace, T02, 176, 351. Hannah, 348. James, 350, Jesse, 349. John, 63, 65, 78, 102, 122, 348-350. Martha, 349. Margery, 350. Nathaniel, 348. Phebe, 348, 349. Rachel, 349. Sarah, 348, 349, 351. Susan, 351. Tacy, 351. Thom.as, 63, 64, 67, 80, 102, 161, 347-350 Townsend's Mill, 180. 222. Training Days, 207, 208. Treaties, 22-25. Trees, ^'i, 184-186; see Timber, etc. Trego, Howard, 140. Seth, 140, 141. Trenton, 76. Trotter, Rev., 120. Trump, Michael, 115. Tucker, Nicholas, 45. Turtles, 195. Vanarsdalen, or Van Arsdalen, J. M., 136. Silas, 159. Vandergrift, John, 74. Vanhorn, or Van Horn, 68, 7"?. Vansant, 68. ' » /o Captain, 85. John, 391. Vaux, Roberts, 19. 414 INDEX. Villages, 52, 219-225. Vincent, Rev., 120. Walmsley, 60, 353-363. Abigail, 356. Agnes, 102, 356, 358. Asa, 107, 161, 358. Benjamin, 161. Charles, 66, 72, ^T. Daniel, 362, 363. Dr., 174, 176. Elizabeth, 353, 356, 362, 363. Esther, 356. Giles, 361. Grace. 363. Henry, 353, 361, 362. James Madison, 363. Walmsley, Jesse, 291. Joan, 362. Joseph, 361. Martha, 357, 363. Mary, 356, 358, 361, 363. Phebe, 356. Ralph, 362. Richard, 359. Ruth, 114. Sarah, 358. 361-363. Silas, 291, 358. Thomas, ^T, 353-355, 357-36o, 362. William, 57, 80, 12s, 210, 211, 291, 356, 357, 360, 3' Walnut Hill School, 131-135. Wain, Nicholas, 99. Waltons, 19, 20, 55, 58, 91, 363-377. Aaron, 371, 372. Abel, Z1Z, 375, ZIT- Albertson, 50, 368. Ann. 37T. Benjamin, 74, 134, 192, 364, 365, 368, 370, 372. Brazilla, 372. Clifton, 372. Daniel, 43, 66, 363, 366, 368, 369, 371. Elijah, 376. Elizabeth, 116, 369. Esther, 370, 372. Hannah, 370, 374, 376. Isaac, yjZ, 375- Isaiah, 376. Jacob, 375. James, 115, 131, 162. Jane, 368. Job, 112, 160, 374-376. INDEX. 415 Jeremiah, 373» 375- Jonathan, 72, 242, 243, 368, Joseph, 364, 367, 369, 371. Joshua, 366, 368. Maria, 372. Mary, 115, 367, 369, 374> 376. 377. Massy, 368. Nancy, 50, 66. Nathaniel, 43, 363* 364- Phebe, y]T. Rachel, 376. Rebecca, 370, 371. Richard, 66, 160, 369, 371. Samuel, 366. Sarah, 370, 376. Silas, Z'jT. Sindonia, 372. Thomas, 43, 45, 57, ill, 122, 363, 365, 375-37' William, 43, m, I77, 363. 370. 372-377- War, French and Indian, 60, 210. Of 1812, 146-148. Revolutionary, 62, 63, 68, 211, 237, 242-244. Warrington, Joseph, 370. Washington, 63, 69, 71, 74, 'j^i. Watamore, John, 49. Nathan, 45. Watson, John, 50. Watts, John, 63, 235. Silas, (i2i. Webster, David, 316. Weed, Solomon, 117. Welcome Passengers, 25. Wells, 53, 204. Westcott, Elizabeth, 177. Wheat, 149, 193. Wheels, 210, 211. Willard, Benjamin, 210. Willett Manuscript, 10. Willett, General, 85. William Penn Cemetery, 170. Williams, Nicholas, 45. Jonathan, 376. Wilson, Ethan, 134. Mardon, 131. Witches, 51, 84, 85, 100. Women, 30. ; -^ Wood, William, 141, 238. Worrel, Denias C, 116. Richard, 41. 4i6 INDEX. Worthington, 377-383- Abner, 382. Amos, 381. Amy, 383. Anthony, 383. Benjamin, 380-383. "Bulger," 202. Daniel, 377. Eber, 382. Elizabeth, 379, 382. Enos, 383. Esther. 380, 381. Hannah, 379, 383- Hiram, 381.. Isaac, 380, 381. James, 383. Jesse, 381. Toel, 383. ohn, 160, 278, 577, 378, 380, 381, 383 Joseph, 380, 382, 383. Joshua, 383, 387. Mahlon, 383. Martha, 380, 383. Mary, 379-381. Richard, 377, 378. Samuel, 377, 378. Sarah. 382. Thomas, 377-379- William, 267, 380, 381. Wright, Jonathan, 191. Yarnall, Peter, 69, 114, I75, 236. Hannah, 114. Yearly Meeting, 45. Young, Thomas, 36. ^'^^J .';t^^^•W('-^V^ '^(^'it