HISTORY: Early furnaces and forges of Berks County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/berks/ _________________________________________ Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. VIII. Philadelphia: Publication Fund of the Historical society of Pennsylvania, No. 1300 Locust Street, 1884. Page 56 Early furnaces and forges of Berks County, Penna. EARLY FURNACES AND FORGES OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. BY MORTON L. MONTGOMERY. The first permanent settlements in Pennsylvania were made by Swedes in 1643, in the extreme southeastern section along the Delaware River. Previously, for over twenty years, the English had visited this locality in the interest of trade; but they had effected no foothold. Prospecting parties had explored the valleys and hills for many miles to the north and west; and practical observation had revealed to them the wealth of the surrounding country in respect to agriculture, mining, and commerce. And within fifty years afterward, by the time that William Penn came to be the Proprietor of the land, special attention was directed to minerals and mining. Similar explorations were made far to the north and northeast, and to the south and southwest, and similar discoveries were made. But there would seem to have been more energy and enterprise displayed in these directions by the English than they, or the Swedes, or the Dutch displayed in Pennsylvania; for, by the time that William Penn and the numerous settlers of his great province came to fully appreciate the value of the lands and streams for mining and manufacturing purposes, not only ores had been discovered elsewhere, but iron had in fact been manufactured. And yet the surrounding circumstances were about the same. Water-power was superior, ore was convenient, and wood was superabundant on the hills near by. This is rather surprising. The Swedes were the first permanent settlers in the Schuylkill valley for any considerable distance from Philadelphia. In 1701 they effected a foothold by taking up ten thousand acres of land at a pint about forty-five miles from its confluence with the Delaware. This Swedish settlement, a score of years afterward, became Amity Township. Agri- Page 57 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. culture alone would seem to have induced them to locate here. And a similar reason induced the first German settlers in Oley valley to locate along the Manatawny Creek from eight to ten miles to the north. And yet within ten miles to the northeast and east of these respective settlements, along the Ironstone Creek-a tributary of the Manatawny - iron ore had been discovered before the settlements were made; and it had been successfully mined, and iron manufactured there - from certainly about 1720, before either Amity or Oley Township was erected. No iron ore nor furnace was in the Swedish settlement, or near by, either then or afterward. These Swedes were not even workers in iron; and, strange to say, their descendants were not subsequently, excepting in a few instances, when they entered this great industry as if by accident. The county of Berks was formed out of parts of Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Chester counties in 1752. The largest portion was taken from Philadelphia County, and comprised the entire upper section, about 280,000 acres, which lay east of the Schuylkill River. The portion from Chester County was comparatively insignificant, comprising only about 4000 acres. In each portion taken from the respective counties there were iron industries at an early period in the history of the county, especially in the lower part of the portion taken from Philadelphia County. These were scattered many miles from one another. They extended from the southern boundary to the northern, and from the eastern to the western. All were located along strong streams which afforded constant water power, and in the midst of thickly wooded territory which furnished an inexhaustible supply of charcoal. The greater number were east of the Schuylkill. The eight following streams were occupied before the Revolution Manatawny and its tributary, the Ironstone, West Branch of Perkiomen, French, Hay, Allegheny, Tulpehocken, and its tributary, Spring. South of the "South Mountain" were the following: Furnaces: Colebrookdale, Mount Pleasant, Hopewell, and Oley. Forges: Pool, Pine, Hay-Creek, Oley, Spring, Mount Pleasant, and Gibraltar. Page 58 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. North of this mountain, however, there were only one furnace, Roxborough or Berkshire, and one forge, Charming. The following historical facts are submitted, relating to the industries named. They conflict with and antedate numerous statements heretofore made and published. They were gathered almost entirely from the recorded deeds, etc., in the Recorder's Office of Berks County. For this reason they can he generally relied upon as correct. Notwithstanding my diligent search, this narrative is incomplete. Further investigation will doubtless reveal additional facts with respect to some of the industries named, as well before as after the Revolution, and these may modify certain statements made and opinions expressed. COLEBROOKDALE FURNACE. The Colebrookdale furnace was situated on the Ironstone Creek, an important branch of the Manatawny, in Colebrookdale Township, within a mile to the south of the Borough of Boyertown. A valuable deposit of iron ore here induced its erection at this point. It is supposed to have been erected in the year 1720, "or a year or two earlier," by a company, comprising, among others, Thomas Rutter, Anthony Morris, James Lewis, and Thomas Potts. Especial mention of it is made in Watson's Annals, in the Potts Memorial by Mrs. James, and in the able and exhaustive chapter on "Iron Making in Pennsylvania," by Mr. James M. Swank, in Pennsylvania and the Centennial Exhibition, vol. 1. The transmission of title to this furnace property is complicated. The facts about its inception, operation, and abandonment are involved in considerable obscurity. A correct statement of facts about it will therefore not be attempted. It is generally conceded to have been the first furnace which was erected in Pennsylvania. Thomas Rutter died in 1730. In November, 1728, he executed a last will, by which it would appear that be owned two-thirds of a furnace and of a forge; the former, it is supposed, was this furnace, and the latter "Pool Forge." In 1731 it was owned in one-twelfth parts, as Page 59 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. follows - the Rutter family apparently not owning any interest: Anthony Morris 1-12 Alexander Wooddross 3-12 Samuel Preston 1-12 William Attwood 1-12 John Leacock 1-12 Nathaniel French 3-12 George Mifflin 1-12 Thomas Potts & George Boons 1-12 About this time the furnace was carried on extensively. Pig-iron was manufactured and sold in large quantities. The price was $15.00 a ton. Country-castings" - articles of iron used by farmers in the vicinity - were also made, the price of which was twice that of pig-iron. A stove-plate, inscribed as having been cast at this furnace in 1763, was exhibited at the "Centennial Exhibition" in 1876. It is supposed that the furnace was abandoned soon after this cast was made. The furnace was named after one of the same name in Shropshire, in England. The surrounding territory naturally took the same name; and, subsequently, in 1736, upon its erection into a township, it was called "Colebrookdale." MOUNT PLEASANT FURNACE. The Mount Pleasant furnace was situated on the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, in Colebrookdale (now Washington) Township, about five miles north of "Colebrookdale" furnace, at a point a short distance beyond Barto, the terminus of the Colebrookdale Railroad. It is said to have been erected by Thomas Potts, Jr., in 1738. The first blast was made on 12th of October, 1738, and continued to 11th of December, following, during which time there were manufactured: pig-iron, 85 tons; country castings, 6 T. 1 cwt. 2 qr. 2 p.; and forge castings, 7 cwt. 3 qr. 6 p.; altogether 91 T. 9 cwt. 1 qr. 8 p. Six blasts were made to the 20th of July, 1741; a total 470 days, during which time 690 tons of iron were produced. The subsequent history of the furnace is not known; at least it has not as yet been published, perhaps not even investigated thoroughly, owing to the Page 60 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. absence of unrecorded agreements and title-papers. Its exact locality can still be identified by the base of the stack. HOPEWELL FURNACE. The Hopewell furnace is situated on French Creek, in Union Township, near the county line. It is said to have been erected by William Bird in 1759. This is possible, but not probable. He died 16th November, 1762. But this furnace was not then part of his possessions. And yet he then owned the Roxborough furnace in Heidelberg, distant at least fifteen miles from Birdsboro. If he had owned it, why should he have sold it just before his death, inasmuch as it was only five miles distant, whereas the Roxborough was situated three times as far off? But there is no title of record from him to any one. It is more than likely that Mark Bird built this furnace after his father's death, say about 1765. He was then twenty-six years old. He held it for twenty years. The first mention of it is made in a mortgage, dated in 1772, made by him to his sister Mary and brothers William and James to secure the payment of certain trust moneys. Becoming subsequently embarrassed, he, in 1785, was first compelled to borrow money (200,000 Spanish Milled Dollars) from John Nixon, a merchant, of Philadelphia, on a mortgage, in which (among other properties) he described the "Birdsborough" ironworks and 8000 acres of land, which included the Hopewell furnace property; and then, finding himself insolvent, he, in 1786, transferred the property to Nixon, in trust to sell, and, satisfy debts, etc. Nixon accordingly exposed it to public sale, and in 1788 transferred one-third to Cadwallader Morris, and two-thirds to James Old, both iron-masters. At this time the furnace lands comprised altogether 5163 acres. In 1790 Cadwallader Morris sold his one-third of the premises to Benjamin Morris; and in 1791 James Old sold his two-thirds to the same person. In 1793 Benjamin Morris resold the entire furnace property to James Old. After the lapse of seven years, Old became embarrassed Page 61 Early Furnaces and, Forges of Berks County, Penna. and was forced to yield up his title through the law and the sheriff to his creditor Benjamin Morris, who bought it at the sale. This was in 1800. In August, 1800, Morris sold it to Daniel Buckley, of Lancaster County, Thomas Broke, of Montgomery County, and Matthew Brooke, Jr., of Berks County, for £ 10,000. The furnace was rebuilt in this year. The Brookes subsequently sold out their interests, and Dr. Charles Clingan acquired an interest in it. Edward S. Buckley is now a joint owner with the estate of Dr. Clingan. Charcoal has been used from the beginning till now. It may be the oldest furnace in the county now in existence. The "Oley" was built about the same time. The "Hopewell" has been in the Buckley family over eighty years. The "Joanna" has been in the Smith family nearly ninety years. OLEY FURNACE. The Oley furnace is situated on the Furnace Creek, a branch of the Little Manatawny, in Oley Township, a short distance north of Friedensburg, and near the line between Oley and Ruscombmanor Townships. It was built most probably by Dietrich Welcker, an iron-master of Skippack, between 1758 and 1768, say about 1765; and it is possible that William Mayberry was a joint owner with him in the beginning. In 1768 the furnace was certainly in existence and in active operation, for Welcker then borrowed £ 100 from John Lesher, an iron-master of Oley, and executed a mortgage to him, in which the furnace is mentioned and five tracts of land, together 558 as. 110 ps. He had borrowed money from others, who sent the sheriff after him. Subsequently Daniel Udree came to own this furnace, and carried it on in connection with the "Rockland Forges," situated several miles to the northeast, till his death in 1828. It is now, and has been for years, owned by the "Clymer Iron Co." A plate, with an inscription, "1770," is built in the stack of the furnace; but this must certainly relate to some other fact than the date of the beginning of the furnace. An ore bank is near by. But iron ore was also supplied in its early operation Page 62 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. from the Moselem mine, in Richmond Township, distant about eight miles to the northwest. BERKSHIRE FURNACE. The Berkshire furnace was situated on a branch of Spring Creek, in Lower Heidelberg Township, about two miles southwest of Wernersville. It was erected by William Bird about 1760. It was part of his estate at the time of his death in 1762. The name first given to it was Roxborough. It is not known when the name was changed to Berkshire. About 1790 George Ege purchased the furnace property and carried it on for several years, when he abandoned it, doubtless owing to scarcity of water. During the Revolution cannon balls were manufactured at this furnace. Ege carried it on under a lease with the widow of Wm. Bird - intermarried with John Patton - from 1774. She owned it from 1764 to 1790. Mr. Ege rendered an account to the "United States" April 3, 1783, in which it appears that he furnished the Government November 14, 1780, with the following shells and shot, altogether of the value of £2894 lls. 6d. Shells: 867, 10 in.; 714, 8 in. Shot: 843, 24 pd.; 2137, 18 pd.; 289, 12 pd. POOL FORGES. Pool forge was situated on the Manatawny Creek, a short distance below the point where the Ironstone flows into it; and another of the same name on the Manatawny, several miles below. The latter is supposed to have been the first of the two, and erected in the year 1717. This would be a few years before the time generally allowed as the date of the erection of the Colebrookdale furnace. It is believed that the remarks of Jonathan Dickinson, in a letter written in 1717, related to this forge. He said: "This last summer one Thomas Rutter, a smith, who lived not far from Germantown, hath removed farther up in the country, and of his own strength hath set upon making iron. Such it proves Page 63 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. to be, as is highly set by by all the smiths here; who say that the best of Sweed's iron doth not exceed it. And we have accounts of others that are going on with iron works." It is not known when the former forge began. Thomas Rutter was interested in one, or perhaps both, of these forges. A forge is mentioned in his last will, dated in 1728, in which he disposes of two one-third interests. In 1731 a "Pool Forge" was owned in one-sixteenth parts, as follows: Anthony Morris 2-16 Alexander Wooddross 2-16 Samuel Preston 1-16 William Attwood 1-16 John Leacock 1-16 Nathaniel French 1-16 George Mifflin 1-16 Thomas Potts & George Boon 1-16 Rutter's Estate 6-16 The subsequent history of this forge is unknown. It is possible that Pine forge was built in 1740, near by to take its place in the manufacture of blooms. PINE FORGE. The Pine forge was erected in 1740, by Thomas Potts. It was situated on Manatawny Creek, in Douglass Township, very near the line of Amity. One of the "Pool" forges was situated a short distance above and the other some distance below. His son, John Potts, succeeded him. After the forge had been carried on for some years by him, it was sold in 1769 to David Potts, Jr. In 1783 David Rutter bought it at public sale, and he carried it on till his death in 1815, when his son John became the owner of the property. Subsequently Joseph Bailey came to own the works, and in 1845 he converted the forge into a rolling-mill. There was a "Little Pine" forge not far distant, but its locality and history have not been ascertained. HAY-CREEK FORGE. William Bird obtained land along Hay Creek, in the eastern extremity of Robeson Township, in 1739, the patent therefor having been taken out three years before by Francis Page 64 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. Hughes. In the following year he began the iron business in this locality by the erection of a forge on Hay Creek, about a half mile above the Schuylkill. He then took up additional tracts of land by warrant and survey, and by 1756 he had secured about three thousand acres. This forge was carried on by him till his death in 1762. Subsequently his widow owned it for some years. His son, Mark Bird, carried on business here until he failed in 1788 and was sold out by the sheriff. At this time it is supposed that Mark Bird had about 8000 acres of land in connection with his iron industries. In 1764 the iron works here comprised three forges, corn (grist) mill, saw mill, arid about 2400 acres of laud. The pig iron was probably obtained at Colebrookdale furnace, distant about ten miles, for about twenty-five years till the erection of Hopewell furnace, five miles distant to the south. Mr. Bird laid out a town below the forge towards the river, it is believed about 1750, and called it. Birdsboro. In 1751 he erected within the limits of the town plan a fine two story cut-stone mansion house. This building is still standing, and is now the "Birdsboro Rouse." At the sheriffs sale in 1788 the forge property was purchased by Cadwallader Morris, James Wilson, and others, of Philadelphia; and in 1796 John Louis Bards became the owner. Matthew Brooke married a daughter of Bards, and subsequently purchased the property. It has since remained in the Brooke family. Edward Brooke and George Brooke, brothers, began business here in 1837. The iron works then comprised two forges, with a capacity of two hundred tons of bar iron per annum. In 1846 they erected a charcoal furnace called "Hampton;" in 1848 a rolling mill and nail factory; in 1851 an anthracite furnace, and some years afterward two additional furnaces. Their total annual capacity is about 38,000 tons of pig iron and 175,000 kegs of nails. After the death of Edward Brooke in 1878 "The Brooke Iron Co." was instituted, and this company is now carrying on the business. The iron industry at Birdsboro, which, in Page 65 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. the course of one hundred and forty years, has been so admirably developed out of the "Hay-Creek Forge" of William Bird, was in 1878 the largest and richest personal enterprise in this section of the State. OLEY FORGE. The Oley forge was situated on the Manatawny Creek, about ten miles from its confluence with the Schuylkill, and about a half-mile south of the "Oley Churches." It continued in active operation for one hundred and twenty years. In 1744 John Ross, gentleman, of Philadelphia, and John Yoder and John Lesher, of Oley, entered into a joint partnership for erecting a forge for manufacturing pig metal into bar iron. They then purchased from Sebastian Graeff a tract of one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land, situated in Oley Township, on the Manatawny Creek, adjoining lands of Robert Stapleton and John Yoder, and the "Great Road" leading to Philadelphia; and thereon erected a forge, constructed a water pond, water courses, and the necessary buildings, and supplied the utensils for the business of making bar iron; and they also purchased warrants for taking up land on the hills adjacent to the forge in order to supply it with charcoal. In 1750 John Yoder sold to John Lesher his one-third interest "of said tract and of the forge, working gears, tools, implements, dams, etc." Lesher and Ross held their respective interests in the forge till Ross's death. In the settlement of the partnership affairs litigation arose between Lesher and the Ross estate. This was being conducted in 1784, when Lesher sold his two-thirds to his son Jacob Lesher, an iron-master, and his sons-in-law, John Potts, a miller, and Jacob Morgan, a merchant. In 1794 Frederick Spang, an iron-master of Oley, obtained an interest in this forge property, and some years afterward secured all the interests. He, and, after his decease, his son Jacob, and grandson of the same name, carried on the iron business here for seventy years, until the close of the Rebellion. During this long interval, especially for fifty years, the forge was Page 66 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. known as the "Spang Forge.' It was abandoned about 1870, Nothing is left to mark the spot, excepting the dam. In the transfer by Lesher to his son and sons-in-law, in 1784, mention is made of a furnace. It was situated in District Township, near the head waters of Pine Creek, a tributary of Manatawny. The Oley furnace was then in operation several miles to the northwest. Lesher loaned money on it in 1768, and between that time and 1784 he may have come to own it. But the titles of record do not disclose the fact. SPRING FORGES. A Spring forge was at one time in existence, on the Manatawny, not far from "Pool Forge." It was owned by Anthony Morris, and in operation in 1729. Pig metal was supplied from Colebrookdale furnace. No definite information in relation to it has as yet been developed. Another Spring forge was situated on Pine Creek, a branch of the Manatawny, in District (now Pike) Township, about four miles north of the "Oley Churches." Its early history is involved in obscurity. In 1760 Rebecca Potts purchased at sheriffs sale a one-sixth interest in it. She died possessed of this interest, and in 1773 her executor sold it and a like interest in six tracts of land, together containing eight hundred and thirty-eight acres, to John Old, an iron-master, resident in District Township. Old subsequently obtained an increased interest in this industry, and in 1778 sold seventeen twenty-sevenths parts to Mark Bird. During its later history it was owned successively by William Schall, Jacob Deysher, and Francis R. Heilig. It was abandoned by Heilig about 1865. A third Spring forge was erected by John Schenkel Bertolet about 1812. It was situated on the Manatawny Creek, in the southern extremity of Earl Township, near the line of Amity. He carried it on till his death in 1828. Then his son, Dr. David K. Bertolette, took the forge property under his last will, and continued operations till 1840. Subsequently it passed through various hands, and was finally Page 67 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. abandoned about 1860. It is possible that the forge first mentioned of this name was situated here or near by. But it (the first) may have been the second mentioned. And this is probable, for it existed before 1760, it occupied a superior site, ore was not far distant, and wood was abundant in the immediate vicinity. MOUNT PLEASANT FORGE. A forge (it is believed) was connected with the Mount Pleasant furnace; but there is no definite knowledge concerning its early history. It stood on the West Branch of the Perkiomen, about a mile above the furnace. If it was not erected and carried on by the Potts family, it is probably that it was by either Nicholas Hunter or his son-in-law, John Fisher, about fifty or sixty years afterward. Mr. Fisher, it is certain, carried it on for a number of years till his decease in 1828, when his estate continued operations for over twenty years, latterly by a son, J. N. H. Fisher, and son-in-law, Abraham B. Bechtel. On the 25th March, 1854, it was sold to Samuel W. Weiss, and then operated by him till the close of the Rebellion. The dam was washed away by a freshet several years ago. The "Dale Iron Works" ware situated a mile above it on the same stream. GIBRALTAR FORGE. Mark Bird, it is supposed, in connection with his other enterprises, began a forge on the Allegheny Creek, about a mile from the Schuylkill, in Robeson Township, and named it "Gibraltar." The year of its erection is not known, though it is supposed about 1770; nor its subsequent history for many years. But this supposition is questionable. It is more than probable that this industry was founded by Thomas Bull, John Smith, and Thomas May about the time that they erected the Joanna furnace, about six miles to the south in the same township. They were interested then in "Dale Furnace," and probably prepared the way Page 68 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. for selling it by first erecting the "Gibraltar" forge which was to be used in connection with the Joanna furnace. In 1827 the estate of Thomas May owned it. In 1828 his two sons Newton and Addison, by their guardians, sold it and 444 acres of land to Simon Seyfert and John Schwartz, for $6500. These two iron-masters then operated it in connection with the "Mt. Penn" furnace several miles to the west, on "Flying-Hill" Creek. In 1835 they dissolved partnership, Schwartz taking the furnace, and Seyfert the forge. Subsequently the forge property was transferred to Seyfert, McManus & Co. CHARMING FORGE. The Charming forge is situated on the southeastern border of Tulpehocken Township, on the Tulpehocken Creek, several miles north of Womelsdorf. It was erected by John George Nikoll, a hammersmith, and Michael Miller, in 1749. Then, in pursuance of an agreement entered into shortly before, they, "at their joint expense, erected an Iron work or Forge and Dam, and dug a Race or water course and made other great improvements for the commencing of forging and the manufacturing of iron." After passing through several parties Henry William Stiegel was the owner in 1763. It was then known as the "Tulpehocken" forge. Then he sold an undivided half part of the forge property and of 859 acres of land to Charles Stedman and Alexander Stedman, merchants, of Philadelphia. By 1770 the quantity of land used in connection with the forge had increased beyond 3700 acres. In this year Charles Stedman bought his brother's interest in the forge property at sheriff's sale. In the sheriff's deed-poll to him the forge is called for the first time, in the title, "Charming Forge." It had been so known and commonly called for some years previously. Its name arose from the picturesque, charming locality. In 1773 the sheriff of the county sold Stiegel's undivided half interest in the forge property (then comprising 1291 acres) to Paul Zensinger, merchant, of Lancaster, for £1660. Zensinger, Page 69 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. on the same day that he obtained the sheriff's deed-poll for the property, (9 February, 1774,) conveyed his interest to George Ege, iron-master, of York County, for £838 14s. 9d. Nine years afterward Ege bought Stedman's interest in the property for £1563 13s. 6d. From this time onward for nearly fifty years Mr. Ege was very prominently identified with the industrial life of Berks County. From 1791 to 1818 be was an associate judge. In 1804 be built and operated the "Schuylkill Forge," which was situated on the Little Schuylkill (Tamaqua Creek) a short distance north of Port Clinton. At this time he was doubtless the largest land holder in the county. His possessions then were: Charming Forge, with 4000 acres; Reading Furnace, with 6000 acres; Schuylkill Forge, with 6000 acres; also four large and valuable farms, situated in Heidelberg and Tulpehocken Townships, comprising together nearly a thousand acres, and known in the vicinity as the "Spring," "Sheaff," "Leiss," and "Richard" farms. In 1824 be was forced to make an assignment. His debts and expenses exceeded $300,000. But his estate proved entirely solvent. Through the prudent management of his estate, for a period covering fifteen years, by his acting assignee, Andrew Taylor, all the debts were satisfied, and a balance was left for distribution to his heirs. He died in December, 1830. This forge property then gassed through a number of parties until 1855, when it became vested in Andrew Taylor and his two sons, William and B. Franklin. In 1866 Mr. Taylor died, and his interest passed to the sons named by devise. They have since held and operated the forge. They own in connection with the forge about 3600 acres of land. Five-sixths of this large quantity lie in the Blue Mountain range. The land extends from "Round-Head" eastwardly, in an unbroken tract for seven miles. In 1777 Ege improved the property at the forge by the erection of a large, commodious, and conveniently arranged cut-stone, two-story mansion house. It is still standing, in fine order. About this time he hired from the Government thirty-four Page 70 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. Hessian prisoners, for the purpose of butting a channel from twelve to fifteen feet deep, and two hundred and fifty feet long, through a bed of limestone in order to supply with water-power a "slitting mill" which he had erected. The channel is still used. November 5, 1782, he allowed the United States Government £1020 for their services. In 1780 he owned ten slaves, seven males and three females: certified of record in the prothonotary's office of the county. OTHER FURNACES AND FORGES. Furnaces and forges were erected in different parts of the county during or subsequent to the Revolution and before 1800. Among them there were the following: Furnaces: Union, District, Sally-Ann, Joanna, Dale, Mary-Ann, Reading, and Greenwood. Forges: Brobst's, Rockland, Burkhart's, Dale, and District. UNION FURNACE. The Union furnace is mentioned in connection with the Union or "Brobst's Forges." DISTRICT FURNACE. The District furnace was situated on Pine Creek, in District Township, about a mile from the line of Pike Township. The time of its erection is not known, nor the builder, though it has been asserted that Jacob Lesher erected it previous to 1797. It was owned by John Lesher, father of Jacob, previous to 1784. He may have erected it about the time of the erection of the Oley forge. This is possible, even probable. The distance between the two industries was about six miles. The pig metal was obtained from some furnace. He was a man of wealth, energy, and enterprise; and it is more than likely that he supplied his own pig metal ratter than purchase it at the Colebrookdale and Mt. Pleasant furnaces, (which were situated across the "Oley Hills," and distant from eight to ten miles,) and Page 71 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. haul it over rough and steep roads. In 1791 he conveyed it to his son Jacob, "out of love and affection," together with a grist-mill, saw-mill, and three tracts of land. The "furnace tract" in District comprised 1582 acres, 104 perches. The other tracts were in Earl, and contained 213 acres, 60 perches. Its subsequent history is not known. On a county map of 1820 it is marked as "Lesher's furnace." It is supposed to have been abandoned about 1797 by Jacob Lesher, because he could not satisfactorily work up the primitive rock ore of that vicinity. (By a deed of record dated in 1793 it would appear that John Lesher sold one-third of this furnace to John Teysher; it having been called "German" or District furnace.) SALLY-ANN FURNACE. The Sally-Ann furnace was erected, it is supposed, by Valentine Eckert, an iron-master, about 1791. It is situated on the Sacony Creek, in the northern section of Rockland Township. This supposition is, however, doubtful, if not erroneous. Previous to 1811 Abraham Biever, a farmer, owned the tract of 94 acres upon which the furnace stands. In the year named he sold this tract to Nicholas Hunter, an iron-master. There was no furnace on then. It is, therefore, probable that Mr. Hunter erected this furnace soon after the purchase of the land. Subsequently he transferred the furnace and lands to his son Jacob V. R. Hunter; whose estate still holds it. Active operations were discontinued about 1869. It was leased in 1879, but work was carried on for only a year. JOANNA FURNACE. The Joanna furnace was erected in 1792, by Potts and Rutter, and named after a daughter of the former. It is situated on Hay Creek, in Robeson Township, near the line of Caernarvon. In 1796 it was purchased by Thomas Bull, John Smith, and Thomas May. Subsequently Levi B. Smith, son of John Smith, became the owner, and operated it till his Page 72 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. decease in 1876, when it passed to his son, L. Heber Smith, who is the present owner. Near 6000 acres of land are connected with the furnace, lying together in a great, irregular tract, and situated in Robeson, Caernarvon, and Brecknock Townships. The furnace was rebuilt in 1847. It is run by water and steam power. DALE FURNACE. The Dale furnace was situated on the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, two miles above the Mt. Pleasant furnace. It was erected about 1791, by Thomas Potts, Joseph Potts, Jr., and John Smith, iron-masters. In the year named they purchased from Lewis Walker a tract of 150 acres in Hereford Township, (but since 1839 in Washington,) and doubtless immediately proceeded to erect thereon a furnace. In 1793 it was certainly in existence, for then Joseph Potts, Jr., sold his one-third interest to Robert E. Hobart. In 1811 it was owned by Thomas Bull, Robert May, John Smith, and John Thompson, iron-masters. About this time, probably soon afterward, a forge was erected near by. Then this enterprise took the name of "Dale Iron Works." In 1819 these works were in active operation. The furnace was abandoned about 1821. In 1822 they were owned by Dr. Jacob Loeser. In 1826 they were purchased by George Schall and David Schall for $11,900, comprising a forge, a large dam covering fourteen acres, a fine commodious stone mansion and tenant houses, and other buildings and over six hundred acres of land. Subsequently David Schall became the sole owner of the works and operated them till 1868, when he abandoned the manufacturing business. MARY-ANN FURNACE. The Mary-Ann furnace was situated in Longswamp Township, on the headwaters of the Little Lehigh. It was erected before 1797, possibly about 1789, by Jacob Lesher, and carried on by him actively till 1808. He then sold it to his Page 73 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. son-in-law, Reuben Trexler. It was operated by Mr. Trexler till 1837, when he transferred it to his son Horatio, who carried on work till a suspension of business there was forced in 1869 by the scarcity of wood, high price of labor, and the increased demand and cost of the Longswamp ore, superinduced by the introduction of the East Penn Railroad through the East Penn Valley from Reading to Allentown. The railway, instead of benefiting the "Mary-Ann," as it had been argued and hoped that the result would be, actually robbed her of glorious and profitable activity, and transferred the life of industry into the Lehigh Valley. The first "stone coal" stoves, manufactured in Pennsylvania, were made at this furnace by Reuben Trexler. They were called the "Lehigh Coal Stove." The plates of these stoves were first made in the open sand about 1820; subsequently flasks were introduced. They were made here till 1857, but the development of foundries for this purpose caused the discontinuance of this branch of industry. READING FURNACE. Upon the abandonment of the "Berkshire" furnace by George Ege, he, in the same year, 1794, erected a furnace several miles to the west, on Spring Creek in Heidelberg Township, and carried it on successfully till his assignment for the benefit of creditors in 1824. In 1807 he improved the property by the erection of a mansion house (similar to the one occupied by him at Charming forge) for the manager of the furnace, Andrew Taylor. It subsequently became vested in Robeson & Brooke, who abandoned it about 1850. They improved the property by the erection of an anthracite furnace in 1845, and another in 1858. It was then purchased by White, Ferguson & Co. GREENWOOD FURNACE. In 1796 Lewis Reese and Isaac Thomas erected a furnace near Schuylkill Gap, on the north side of Sharp Mountain, and carried on the manufacture of iron till 1806. They then Page 74 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. sold it to John Pott, of District Township, in Berks County. In 1807 Pott tore it down and erected in its stead another furnace which he named "Greenwood." Near the mouth of the Little Schuylkill, a short distance above Port Clinton, George Ege, it is said, erected the "Schuylkill" furnace about 1804. These two furnaces are also mentioned in this narrative because they were included in the territory of Berks County, beyond Blue Mountain, till 1811, when Schuylkill County was erected. BROBST'S FORGES. In Albany Township, in the northern section of Berks County, on a branch of Maiden Creek, called Pine Creek, there were two forges and a furnace. It is not definitely known when or by whom they were erected. In 1780, Arnold Billig sold to Michael Brobst two tracts of land in this township, one of 115 acres, and the other of 15 acres, with the buildings, improvements, etc., for the sum of eleven thousand pounds. No iron works are mentioned, as they generally are in deeds conveying property including such important improvements. But why should Brobst pay such a large consideration for 130 acres of land if there had not been erected therein valuable improvements, such as iron works? Accordingly, it may be inferred that there were iron works in this township then. Billig, however, is not described as an iron-master, nor Brobst. But Brobst was subsequently engaged in the manufacture of iron in this locality with his brother, John Brobst; and in 1818 they were sold out by the sheriff, the properties sold comprising one furnace, two forges, and 3646 acres of land. These iron works were subsequently known by the name of "Union," and operated for a number of years by George Reagan. ROCKLAND FORGES. The Rockland forges were situated in the southern section of Rockland Township, on Beaver Creek, a tributary of Page 75 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. Manatawny. One of the forges was erected by John Truckenmiller, an iron-master of Richmond Township, in the year 1783; and shortly afterward he erected a second forge about one-fourth of a mile farther up the creek. In 1788 be was sold out by the sheriff of the county, and Richard Lewis, an iron-master of Robeson Township, bought the forges. Ten years afterward, in 1798, he sold them to Daniel Udree, who operated them till his decease in 1828. They, in connection with a very large estate, then passed to his son-in-law, J. Udree Schneider, and were operated by him also till his death in 1834. Subsequently the Udree estate became involved by its management, and in 1841 these forges were again put under the hammer by the sheriff and sold. After passing through several hands, they were finally abandoned about 1850. A third forge stood on the same creek a short distance above these forges. It was erected about 1830 by Daniel Oyster, and operated ten years. Its site was just above the "Rohrbach Mill." BURKHART'S FORGE. The Burkhart's forge was situated in Alsace Township, on Antietem Creek, about one hundred and fifty yards north of the "Stony-Creek Mill." It was erected by Philip Seidel, an iron-master, resident in this township about 1792. He, in 1791, had purchased tract No. 82 of "Penn's Manor," containing 15 as. 118 ps. By the record it world appear that he erected forges on this tract. On the 12th of March, 1796, he sold these forges to Samuel Burkhart, of Bern Township. Burkhart operated them - at least one of them - subsequently for a number of years. In 1830 one forge was operated by Burkhart & Keen. It was known as the "Green Tree," having taken its name from the evergreen trees on the steep hillsides in the vicinity. It was abandoned about 1850. DALE FORGE. The Dale forge is mentioned in connection with the furnace of same name constituting "Dale Iron Works." Page 76 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. DISTRICT FORGE. The District forges comprised two forges situated on Pine Creek, in District Township. The first of these forges was erected about 1793, by Jacob Lesher. About fifteen years afterward he conveyed it to his son-in-law, Reuben Trexler, who carried it on till about 1830, when he demolished it, and erected in its stead a large stone gristmill. Another was built by Jacob Lesher a half mile farther up the stream about the year 1812. He built it for his son-in-law, Samuel Sands. It was discontinued several years afterward. A third was built (it is supposed) by Jacob Else about the same time lower down the stream, in what is now Pike Township. Subsequently it was operated by William Schall, Jacob Deysher, and Francis Heilig. This supposition must be erroneous. This forge was known in the vicinity as the "Pott Forge," formerly the "Spring Forge" hereinbefore mentioned. A fourth forge was erected by Reuben Trexler, in 1828, a half mile distant to the north. He carried it on till 1846, when he sold it to his son, Horatio Trexler. This also subsequently became vested in Francis Heilig. He operated both for some years, till about 1865, when he gradually discontinued active operation, and finally abandoned them. They were latterly known as "Heilig's Forges." SPEED-WELL FORGE. The Speed-well forge was erected, it is supposed, by Philip Seidel, about 1800. In 1815 it was purchased by Nicholas Yocum, who operated it for some years. It was situated in Cumru Township, on Angelica Creek, about five miles south of Reading. Speed-well, No. 2, was built by Mr. Yocum, in 1835. Moses and Daniel Yocum, his sons, then operated them separately till about 1870, when they were abandoned. RECENT INDUSTRIES. Among the more recent furnaces and forges in the county, there were the following, the date after the name indicating the year of erection: Page 77 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. Furnaces Windsor Hamburg Moselem 1823 Mount Penn 1825 Earl 1835 Mount Laurel 1836 Henry Clay 1844 second stack 1854 Monocacy 1852 Leesport 1853 Maiden Creek 1854 Reading (Seyfert, Mc Manus& Co.) 1853 second stack 1873 Temple 1867 Keystone 1869 second stack 1872 Topton 1873 East Penn (2 stacks) 1874 Kutztown 1875 Bechtelsville 1875 Forges. Do-Well 1825 Moyer's 1825 Moselem 1825 Sixpenny 1825 North Kill 1830 Bloom 1830 Exeter 1836 Mount Airy 1840 Seidel's 1853 Keystone 1854 Reading 1857 Douglassville 1878 IRON-MASTERS. The iron-masters of the county comprise many men distinguished for their energy, enterprise, success, and wealth. They extend through the history of the county from its earliest settlements till now. A great proportion of the material prosperity and enrichment of the county has been contributed by them. They have, to a great degree, influenced its social, political, and industrial welfare. In the settlement and development of its several sections, south, east, west, and north, they have been pioneers. Though their great and influential industry does not antedate agriculture in the affairs of the county, it has, nevertheless, been a traveling companion; and, like agriculture, it has been transmitted from grandfather to son and grandson. Their names reveal the fact that the great majority of them have been Germans or of German origin. In the year 1806 Berks County was distinguished for its numerous manufacturing establishments, its trade and enterprise. Page 78 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. The following iron industries were then in operation: Tilt hammers 9 Slitting-mill 1 Furnaces 8 Forges 20 Other industries of the county: Powder-mills 4 Fulling-mills 14 Hemp-mills 2 Paper-mills 10 Saw-mills 235 Distilleries 212 Grist-mills 155 Tanneries 49 Oil-mills 20 Hat factories (Reading) 40 (These were reported by assessors and published in the Reading Adler in 1807.) The county at that time was evidently a great industrial centre. In the manufacture of iron alone it contained thirty-eight establishments. In 1830 there were eleven furnaces and twenty-four forges; in 1850, thirteen furnaces and twenty-three forges; and in 1876, twenty-seven furnaces, but only four forges. The great decrease of forges is accounted for by the introduction of rolling-mills, of which there were ten in the year last named. Water-power was apparently supplanted by the introduction of steam power. And instead of being located in many places throughout the county, as theretofore through a period of one hundred years, they were concentrated in several places. The only industries of those named which were begun before 1800, now still in operation, are the following: Furnaces: Oley, Hopewell, and Joanna. Forges: Charming and Gibraltar. The two following tables were arranged by Daniel M. Keim, to show the furnaces and forges in operation in Berks County for the years 1828, 1829, and 1830, the number of hands employed, the amount of production, etc., and published in the Berks and Schuylkill Journal, from which they were copied Page 79 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. FURNACES. OWNERS. Workmen. Dependent No. Cords Tons of Tons Wheat, Beef persons. of of wood. pig metal. of rye, and horses. castings. and, pork corn used. used. Reading George Ege 228 1056 198 23,822 3,568 95 33,000 150,000 Hopewell Buckley & Brooks 168 1600 84 15,000 1,279 981 21,000 30,000 Joanna Wm. Darling 168 1358 80 15,000 2,200 500 21,000 78,500 Mount Penn Seyfert & Schwartz 220 1050 120 15,000 1,700 500 16,890 92,000 Oley J. Udree Schneider 153 765 75 10,500 1,050 360 14,226 46,500 Sally Ann J.V.R. Hunter 150 750 51 10,800 1,300 252 11,650 36,000 Mary Ann Reuben Trexler 153 765 81 12,000 1,350 330 12,500 47,000 Windsor Jones, Keim & Co. 195 1075 48 11,200 650 750 8,600 49,000 Moselem N.V.R. Hunter 18 90 15 4,500 643 - 2,000 2,000 Union George Reagan 18 90 12 4,500 250 100 3,000 3,000 1483 8659 779 128,322 14,690 3868 143,866 549,000 Page 80 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. FORGES OWNERS. Workmen. Dependent No. Cords Tons Tons Wheat, Beef persons of of of of rye, and horses. wood. bar blooms. and pork iron. corn used. used. Charming George Ege 99 475 70 9,000 800 - 9,000 98,550 Gibralter Seyfert & 168 740 60 9,000 - 1900 12,000 175,000 (2) Schwartz Do-Well Jonathan 85 425 60 5,000 - 1000 7,000 65,000 Seidel Six-penny George 62 310 36 3,000 - 600 5,500 56,000 Zacharias Birdsboro Heirs of M. 94 470 52 7,500 750 - 10,500 81,000 Brooke Speedwell Daniel Yocum 99 99 54 3,450 205 300 11,000 86,000 North Kill B. & J. 36 160 22 3,000 300 - 5,000 33,000 Seyfert Green Tree Keen & 19 82 12 1,600 150 - 2,500 17,000 Burkhart Moselem N. & J. 110 550 60 7,500 300 750 13,000 102,000 Hunter Rockland J. Udree 53 265 31 4,500 450 - 6,000 5,000 (2) Schneider Union George Reagan 61 305 37 3,000 - 600 5,600 25,000 Spring J.S. 41 205 40 3,750 375 - 6,000 36,000 Bertolette Oley Jacob S. 35 165 61 3,000 300 - 5,000 32,000 Spang New William 30 146 48 3,000 240 - 4,000 26,000 District Schall District Reuben 62 320 64 5,300 480 - 17,000 53,000 (2) Trexler Mount - 93 453 47 9,600 720 - 10,000 78,000 Pleasant (3) Dale David Schall 32 146 19 3,100 240 - 3,500 25,000 Rockland Daniel Oyster 18 81 17 2,500 150 - 2,400 16,500 Pine J. Rutter 90 460 61 8,500 700 - 10,000 79,000 Page 81 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna. The following statement shows the number of iron-works in Berks and adjoining counties for the years 1850 and 1876 respectively: FURNACES FORGES MILLS 1850 1876 1850 1876 1850 1876 Berks 13 27 23 4 5 10 Bucks 2 1 0 0 0 1 Chester 5 4 6 6 14 9 Dauphin 6 12 2 1 1 5 Delaware 0 0 0 0 1 2 Lancaster 16 15 12 2 2 6 Lebanon 6 10 3 3 0 2 Lehigh 9 28 0 0 0 3 Montgomery 6 15 2 0 4 9 Philadelphia 0 1 3 0 8 14 Schuylkill 5 9 6 1 1 6 68 122 57 17 36 67 Total of State 298 279 127 39 79 156 VOL. VIII. - 6