THE HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CHAPTERS XLII & XLIII, MORRISVILLE, 1804; DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, 1818. from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time by W. W. H. Davis, A.M., 1876 and 1905* editions. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Donna Bluemink. dbluemink@cox.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _____________________________________________________________________________ Transcriber's note: Liberty has been taken with numbering footnotes so as to include all footnotes from both the 1876 and 1905 editions, plus any additional text and pictures in the 1905 edition. All 1905 material will be noted with an asterisk. Note: Where names differ, the 1905 edition spelling is applied. _____________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER XLII or CHAPTER XII (Vol. II), 1905 ed. MORRISVILLE. 1804. Situation. -The falls came early into notice. -First European settlement. -First owner of site. -Oldmixon in 1708. First mill erected. -Origin of name. -Robert Morris settles there. -George Clymer.* -General Moreau. -Residence burns down. -Moreau's will, and sale of property. -Bridge across the Delaware. -Freshet of 1841. -Ferry below the falls. -Colvin's ferry. -Borough organized. -Capital of United States fixed at Morrisville. -Fine water privileges. -Industrial establishments. -Population. -Visit to Summerseat, 1896.* -Lafayette crosses the Delaware, 1824.* MORRISVILLE, situated on the Delaware opposite Trenton, is, next to Bristol, the oldest borough in the county. The "Falls of Delaware" was one of the first localities in the county to come into notice, and several tracts of land were taken up on the river, just below, under the government of Sir Edmund Andros. It was on the great highway of travel between the lower Delaware and New York half a century before William Penn's arrival, and here the overland route crossed the river by ferriage. The first settlement of Europeans in Bucks county was made by the Dutch West India company, on a small island just below the falls, near the western shore, where there was a trading-post, with three or four families, from 1624 to 1627. The remains of the island is now a sand-bar, nearly opposite Morrisville, containing some seventy-five acres, and is called Fairview. The land on which Morrisville is built belonged, originally, to John Wood, one of the earliest immigrants among the Friends. In 1703 a patent was issued to Joseph Wood, probably a son of John, for 664-1/2 acres, and the tract, all or in part, remained in the family until 1764, when 70 acres were sold to Adam Hoops, including an island in the river opposite. There were reserved, within this purchase, a school-house lot and a landing on the river at the lower corner of the village, two and a half perches wide. This was at the terminus of the old ferry road, and was probably the landing of the original ferry below the falls, the oldest on the river. Oldmixon, who crossed at this ferry in 1708 and passed down the river, says, "Falls town contains about 50 houses," probably referring to the settlement on the New Jersey side of the river, for there is no record of any settlement at the falls on this side at so early a period. The first mill at Morrisville was built in 1772-73, while the property was in the possession of the widow and sons of Adam Hoops. In April 1773, it was conveyed to Richard Downing, including the island and the right of landing. In 1780 the mills were called the "Delaware mills." Patrick Colvin bought the ferry and a considerable tract of land in 1772, which he owned until 1792, and for those 20 years, what is now Morrisville, was known as Colvin's ferry. He built the brick ferry-house in 1792, the stone part having been built several years before. Morrisville took its name and received its early impetus from Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution. December 11, 1789, he purchased the mill property, Delaware works, with the island, containing some 450 acres, and some vacant lots of Samuel Ogden and wife. On November 16, 1792, he purchased of Patrick Colvin and wife 264-1/2 acres, adjoining the tract he already owned, which had come down by descent and purchase from the Harrisons, Acremans, Kirkbrides, and Blackshaws all original settlers. This tract extended from a point on the river, south of the mill property down more than a mile, and embraced the fine land west of the Philadelphia road. While Mr. Morris resided here, he lived in the large house in the grove, which he probably built, and it is positively asserted that he built the brick stables, and also several small houses where the village stands. On June 9, 1798, the real estate of Mr. Morris was sold at sheriff's sale to George Clymer, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Fitzsimmons, of Philadelphia, for $41,000. Mr. Clymer, the son of Christopher Clymer, was born at Philadelphia June 10, 1739. On his mother's side he descended from the Fitzwaters, among the earliest immigrants to the province. Losing his parents when a month old, he was brought up by his uncle, William Coleman, the husband of his mother's sister, who left him the bulk of his fortune at his death. His ancestors being shipping merchants he was brought up to that business, and entered into co-partnership with Reese and Samuel Meredith, whose daughter and sister, Elizabeth, he married. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the convention that framed the constitution of the United States, and also of the first Congress. He died at Morrisville, at the house of his son Henry Clymer, January 23, 1813, and was buried in Friends' ground at Trenton. His widow died at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, February 1815. Messrs. Clymer and Fitzsimmons erected a new grist-mill in 1799, and in 1800 the two ferries fell into the possession of John Longstreet and Samuel Spencer, by deed. What is now Green street was then called the Post road and led down to the ferry. The old ferry house stood on the north side of Green street just west of the stone building. George Clymer owned the farm and mansion in the western part of the borough overlooking the village and the city of Trenton, and now owned by John H. Osborne. (1) He died in that house, and John Carlile, the grandfather of the present John Carlile, was one of the pall-bearers at the funeral. Henry Clymer, the son, bought a farm in Lower Makefield, on the river adjoining the Kirkbride ferry road, which was the family residence many years after his death, and is now owned by S. Dana, formerly of Wilkesbarre. (1) A granddaughter of George Clymer died at Bethlehem, Pa., March 8, 1898, within four days of 71. She was a daughter of John Clymer, a son of George, and born in Nockamixon township, Bucks county, March 12, 1827, married Franklin J. Schick, 1850, and removed to Bethlehem, 1868. She left one son and two daughters. It is denied by some that Mrs. Schick was a granddaughter of George Clymer, the signer. A portion of the Robert Morris property next fell into the hands of the distinguished French general, Jean Victor Maria Moreau, who made his home there several years. He landed at Philadelphia, September 24, 1805, accompanied by his wife and two children, and after looking around the country for some time for a place of residence, he found none that pleased him so well as Morrisville, where he located. It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte, while looking over the map of the United States, some years before, had pointed out the falls of the Delaware as a desirable place of residence, but whether that opinion influenced Moreau in selecting this spot is not known. On his arrival, General Moreau took up his residence for a time at the seat of a Mr. LeGuen, who lived in the vicinity. On March 11, 1807, he purchased three lots of land of Paul Seiman, J. B. Sartori, and J. Hutchinson, including mills and water-power. This property was bounded by Mill, Green, Washington, and Bridge streets, except a small corner at Bridge and Mill and Green and Mill. General Moreau lived in the large house in the grove, in which Robert Morris resided, until 1811, when it took fire on Christmas-day and was burned down, when he removed into the brick building known as the ferry-house. He resided there until 1813, when events summoned him to Europe, and his tragic death at the battle of Leipsic [Dresden*]is well-known to every reader of history. By his will, dated January 9, 1813, Moreau left his Morrisville property to his wife and infant daughter, but without power to sell, the executor being J. B. Sartori. On March 5, 1816, the legislature passed an act authorizing the sale of the real estate, which was advertised in the "Pennsylvania Correspondent," now "Bucks County Intelligencer," and the "Herald of Liberty," at Newtown, and exposed to public sale June 27, 1816. It was bought by J. B. Sartori and James Vanuxen, for $52,000. All of the Moreau, and other real estate at Morrisville that once belonged to Robert Morris, was purchased by John Savage in 1823, which remained in his family nearly half a century. [The wooden bridge between Morrisville and Trenton, and the first across the Delaware, was built by the Trenton Bridge Company, chartered, respectively by the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, March 3 and April 4, 1798. The time for completing the bridge was limited, but subsequent acts extended it to March 3, 1812. Under the joint act John Beatty, Peter Gordon and Aaron Howell, New Jersey, and Philip Wagner, James C. Fisher and Charles Biddle, Pennsylvania, were appointed commissioners to receive subscriptions to the capital stock. Letters patent were issued August 16, 1803; contract made with Theodore Burr, the celebrated bridge architect and builder, during the winter of 1803-4; work begun May 1804; the bridge completed in January 1806, and opened to travel on the 30th. Its length was 1,100 feet and the cost $180,000. Before its completion a freshet in the river proved the abutments were too low and they were raised about one-fourth higher. The opening of the bridge to travel was made a festive occasion. A large concourse of citizens marched in procession across from Trenton under a salute of seventeen guns fired from two field-pieces. The president of the company delivered an address of thanks to Theodore Burr, the architect, and to the mechanics. Governor Bloomfield and other distinguished persons were present, and the celebration was concluded by a good dinner, speeches and toasts. The receipts from tolls for the first six weeks, were $754. After the completion of the bridge the ferry fell into almost entire disuse.*] The great freshet of 1841, probably the heaviest since the first settlement on the Delaware, carried away the bridges at Easton, Riegelsville, New Hope, Taylorsville, and Yardley, which passed under the Trenton bridge without doing any serious damage. The terminus of the Philadelphia and Trenton railroad was at Morrisville for several years, when the passengers were taken across the bridge in horse cars. In 1851 a passage way for steam cars was added on the south side, and since then trains have run across regularly. The old wooden bridge has been removed, and on its site the Pennsylvania railroad company has built a handsome double-track iron bridge. The ferry below the falls was established by act of Assembly, May 31, 1718, after there had been a ferry there three-quarters of a century, and a new ferry, about half a mile above the falls, in 1782. The latter was known by the names of the Trenton and Beatty's ferry, and no doubt this is the same that used to be called Kirkbride's ferry. The "Trenton Gazette" of August 14, 1782, contained the following notice in reference to this ferry: "The subscribers, having, at length, obtained a road, laid out by authority from Bristol road to the new Trenton ferry, the shortest way, a pleasant, sandy, dry road at all seasons of the year, inform the public that they have good boats. Whoever pleases to favor them with their custom, please turn to the left at the cross-roads, near Patrick Colvin's ferry, to Colonel Bird's mill sixty rods above Colvin's ferry, thence near half a mile up the river to the ferry above the falls, and almost opposite Trenton, where constant attendance is given by their humble servants." John Burrows, George Beatty. Morrisville was erected into a borough by act of Assembly of March 29, 1804, the same year the bridge was built, and the turnpike to Bristol and Philadelphia was made. The early records of the borough have been lost through carelessness, and it is impossible to give the names of the original officers. It was in contemplation at one time to establish the capital of the United States on the Delaware where Morrisville stands. Previous to the adoption of the Federal constitution, the sessions of Congress were principally held at New York and Philadelphia. In June 1783, Congress appointed the first Monday of October following to consider such offers as might be made to them from places which aspired to be the capital of the Republic. About this time Trenton offered a district twenty miles square and a grant of £30,000, in specie, to assist in the purchase of land and the erection of public buildings. October 7, 1783, Congress resolved "that the Federal town should be erected on the banks of the Delaware at the "Falls near Trenton, on the New Jersey side, or in Pennsylvania on the opposite," and a committee of five was appointed to view the respective locations. The site of the capital now became a bone of contention between the North and the South, and motions were made in favor of Trenton and Annapolis; but on October 21, 1783, it was resolved that Congress shall have two places of meeting, one on the Delaware, and the other on the Potomac near Georgetown, and that until buildings can be erected at both places, Congress shall meet alternately at Trenton and Annapolis. The effort to have Annapolis substituted for Georgetown failed. When Congress met at Trenton, in November 1784, it was resolved "that measures shall be taken to procure suitable buildings for national purposes." On the 23d of December three commissioners were appointed "with full powers to lay out a district not less than two, nor more than three, miles square on the banks of either side of the Delaware, nor more than eight miles above or below the lower falls thereof, for a a Federal town." They were authorized to purchase the soil and enter into contract for the erection of public buildings "in an elegant manner," and to draw on the treasury for a sum not exceeding $100,000. Congress adjourned to New York soon afterward, and we hear no more of the committee. It is said that the high land to the west of Morrisville was the chosen location if the purpose of the resolution had been carried out. We found in a bag of old papers what purported to be a draft of the proposed Federal district, but some of the lines were too indistinct for it to be copied, which embraced the site of Morrisville and adjacent country. About this time Washington, in a letter to the president of Congress, gave his advice against the proposed location, and the project was dropped altogether. The site on the bank of the Potomac was fixed in July 1790. Morrisville, lying on the line of two states, has occasionally been made the place to settle personal difficulties at the pistol's mouth. Such was the case in 1816, when, on the morning of November 20th, Colden Cooper, of New York, and Christopher Roberts, Jr., of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, repaired to its shady haunts and fought a duel that resulted in the death of Cooper, who fell on the field. The cause of the fight we have not been able to learn. The situation of Morrisville, at the head of navigation on the Delaware, with ample water-power at its command, is a very eligible one. If these privileges were in New England instead of conservative Pennsylvania, it would long since have become the seat of extensive manufacturing. The first impetus that Morrisville received in the march of improvement was after the death of General Moreau, when his real estate was laid off into town-lots and brought into market. It is now a place of about a thousand inhabitants. Among the improvements are a number of handsome dwellings, three churches, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Advent, and a lodge of the Knights of Pythias, [Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain; Council of the Junior order of United American Mechanics, and Daughters of America.*] It contains several industrial establishments, among which are two saw-mills, a manufactory of cases for packing leaf tobacco in, making 12,000 a year, grist and merchant [flour*]-mills, turning works for all descriptions of wood turning, planning-mill, and [in 1873*] a manufactory of Indian-rubber car-springs, tubing, soft rubber goods, etc., [was started in the old Robert Morris-Moreau brick, but enlarged in recent years, and operated by the Goodyear Vulcanite Company for making vulcanite goods. It gives employment to 300 men, women and children. Next in importance is the Robinson Art Tile Company's works, established 1890, and, since 1895, operated by Forst & Bowman, Trenton, New Jersey. Wildman's carriage works, Haven's machine shop, coal and lumber yards, three public inns, the usual mechanics, stores and shop in their various lines of merchandise. Morrisville has a graded school with a three-year course, embracing all branches to fit one for college, except Greek. The town is lighted by electricity; a water plant was erected, 1894, at a cost of $25,000, and the borough owns a good two-story brick building for municipal purposes. Among the industries may be mentioned Moon's nursery, probably the oldest in the United States, the present proprietor being the great-great-grandson of James Moon, who came from Bristol, England, 1684, where he had been engaged in the same business. The American branch of the family have followed this pursuit for over a hundred years, and possibly since the arrival of the ancestor near the close of the seventeenth century. Three iron bridges span the Delaware here, the first an iron railroad bridge, of the Wilson pattern, built 1874-75, above the old one, the iron work being made at Pittsburgh. When completed the whole structure was moved fifteen feet up the river - resting on rollers to counteract the expansion and contraction of the iron during the extremes of heat and cold. At this point the great traveled route between the North and South crosses the Delaware, and has been the case since the settlement of the Atlantic slope. A fine grove in the village makes it quite a resort for picnics and other parties of pleasure.*] [The Clymer-Morris mansion, mentioned in a previous paragraph, has an interesting history. It is still in the Osborne family and is known as "Summerseat," the name given to it when built over a century and a quarter ago. It was not only the residence of Robert Morris and George Clymer, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, but was Washington's first headquarters in Bucks county for several days immediately after the Continental army crossed the Delaware, December 8, 1776. (2) When Joseph Bonaparte came to America it is said he offered a large price for Summerseat, but the purchase not being effected, he settled at Bordentown. The house is the best sample of a colonial residence in the county, and carefully preserved. The interior finish is simple and handsome, the paneling being carved in solid wood, and the surroundings show the general style of living in ye olden time. The farm belonging to it contains 160 acres.*] (2) When Summerseat was occupied by Washington as headquarters, the owner, Thomas Barclay, was a prominent and patriotic resident of Philadelphia. He purchased the plantation of 241 acres in 1773, and is thought to have erected the building. He sold it to Robert Morris, in 1791, who spent a portion of his time there until overtaken by financial disaster, when the property was sold to George Clymer, who lived there until his death, 1813. Thomas Barclay was an Irishman by birth and one of the original members of the "Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick," organized at Philadelphia, 1771. It was the parent of the present "Hibernian Society," of which he was president for one year, from June 1, 1779. He subscribed £5,000 to the Pennsylvania bank, established for furnishing provisions and other supplies to the Continental army.* (See illustration of Barclay House, Morrisville.) [The following description of the historic house is from the pen of a young lady of Doylestown, [Miss Marion Otter*] who visited it at the request of the author, and, while there, made a sketch of the building, which is one of our illustrations. "A quiet village street, ending in an old time shoemaker's shop just over the rail-guarded bridge, across which the street merges into the country highway; glimpses of the Delaware here and there through the trees, with low meadows between; nothing in sight to suggest the present. "At the roadside entrance stands a small lodge house, a hip-roofed building, quaint in its plainness, past which the long lane, with its triple row of cedars, winds up the hill to the well-kept, substantial mansion at the top. "The house of two and a half stories, facing the river, consists of a main building and smaller wings; it is of a yellow color, well toned by time and the weather; a broad piazza, a later addition, crossed the front, upon which the four large, cheerful rooms open, two upon either side; the heavy timbered floors, the paneled doors, the wainscoting and mouldings, particularly of which the present owner is justly proud, so well preserved are they, all bear substantial witness to times when solidity was a reality and not in appearance. 'From the windows across the sloping fields and shining strips of river, lies Trenton with its hazy veil of smoke and present day activity, in contrast with its neighbor on the Pennsylvania side. "Passing through the hall and out the opposite door, the house presents, from this side, a much quainter appearance; there is an irregularity in the position of the windows, a small hooded porch over the hall door with its latch and knocker, while the wall of the smaller wing is broken by an arched recess opening upon a brick pavement, where, at the moment, stood several figures, dogs, and a horse ready saddled, giving a characteristic touch to the place. "To the west an old-fashioned high-walled garden, the farm buildings and slave quarters bound the lawn; to Northern eyes the latter are most interesting, and, though fast falling into decay, enough remains to show what they once were; five tiny cottages open on a common court of which the walls of the garden and two other buildings form sides; they are substantially built of the stone used in the other buildings upon the place; two rooms are in each house; the lower room has one side entirely taken up with the huge open fire-place, oven and soap-boiling arrangements of the times; an enclosed stairway leads to the room above, which also contains an open fire-place; without the court is paved with flat stones, now overgrown with grass and weeds, while a grove of wilderness where once was heard the songs and mirth of a light-hearted race. "Many interesting ornaments, showing the taste of past owners, at one time adorned the place, all long since scattered; a pair of lions, now guarding the entrance to St. George's Hall, Philadelphia, came from here. But as we saw it one blustery October day, the wind blowing the leaves down in yellow showers, it seemed to us the place wanted no other adornment than the beautiful trees which surrounded it on all sides - tulip, poplars, maples, ash, chestnuts, dropping their nuts with every wind; tall cedars and pines, outlining the lane and mingling their darker foliage with the gay autumn tints on the lawn, they entirely conceal the house, but make a landmark of a place to which each year is adding a new interest."*] [Before the old bridge was built across the Delaware at Morrisville, 1804, the ferry a little lower down, was extensively used for ferrying cattle across the river on their way to the New York market. The drove swam over after their leader was placed in a boat, and droves of sheep were ferried in the same way. Scows, capable of holding a horse and carriage, were set across by two men. In 1842 Samuel Crossley was ferryman on the Pennsylvania side and kept a tavern in a house known as "Frazier's."] [Morrisville was an important point in the Revolution. It was at Colvin's ferry, the lower part of the village, where the Continental army crossed into Pennsylvania and effected its escape from the pursuing British. Trenton, where the Hessians were surprised on Christmas night, in the morning, the turning point in the war for independence - is directly opposite on the east bank of the Delaware. During that important campaign, and until the enemy was driven from western New Jersey, a strong body of troops was stationed at Morrisville to guard the passage of the Delaware. In 1824, when Lafayette came to the United States as the guest of the nation, he crossed the river over Trenton bridge into Pennsylvania. Here he was met by the late General John Davis, with his fine regiment of Bucks county volunteers, 600 strong, mounted. After the ceremony of reception, the march was taken up and the distinguished guest escorted to the Philadelphia county line, where he was received by the city troops.*] At the first census after the borough was organized, in 1810, the population was found to be 266; in 1820, it was 391; 1830, 531, and 91 taxables; 1840, 405; 1850, 565; 1860, 784; 1870, 831, of which 51 were foreign born, and 25 colored; [1880, 968; 1890, 1,203; 1900, 1,871.*] End of Chapter XLII or Chapter XII, 1905 edition. _____________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER XLIII or CHAPTER XIII (Vol. II), 1905 ed. DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP. 1818. Early history. -Walter Shewell. -Painswick hall. -Nathaniel Shewell. -The Merediths. -Thomas Meredith. -Doctor Hugh. -The Snodgrasses. -Death of Benjamin. -David Johnson. -Gabriel Swartzlander. -Embraced in tract of Free Society of Traders. -Langhorne's purchase. -Tracts of Cudjo and Joe. -Joseph Kirkbride. -Edward and William Doyle and descendants. -Township organized. -Area. -The Manns. -The Browers. -Christopher Day. -Bridge Point. -Bridge built. -Doctor Samuel Moore. -Robert Patterson. -Carding machines. -Duncan McGreggor's school.* John Fitzinger. -Bering. - The TURK. -A candidate for county-seat. -CROSS KEYS. -Mennonite church. Roads. -Kirkbride house burnt. -Population. The early history of Doylestown township is merged in New Britain, Buckingham and Warwick, out of which it was carved in 1818. Among the early settlers in that part of New Britain which fell into Doylestown, was Walter Shewell, who immigrated from Gloucestershire, England, in 1732 [1722*]. (1) Landing at Philadelphia, he soon made his way to Bucks county, where he purchased a tract of land, a part of which, with the mansion, is still in the possession of his descendants, lying on the Lower State Road, two miles from Doylestown. On this he built a handsome dwelling in 1769, which he named "Painswick Hall," after his birthplace in England. He married Mary Kimmer [Kimber*], of Maryland, and had a family of sons and daughters. Robert, the youngest son, born January 27, 1740, and married Mary [Sarah*] Sallows, January 15, 1764, became a distinguished merchant of Philadelphia, but retried early from business to Painswick, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying December 28, 1832. Of the eight children of Robert Shewell, five sons became merchants of Philadelphia, Thomas, the youngest, born July 13, 1774, being the most distinguished. He became partner in a Philadelphia house at the age of 18, at 22 making a voyage to the West Indies for his health, and thence to England, where he remained three years in a London house. Betsy Shewell, the wife of Benjamin West, the artist, was a member of this family, and while Thomas was in London he spent his Sundays at West's house. On his return home, in 1799, Mr. Shewell resumed business, which he continued until 1832, when he retired and passed the remainder of his life in ease, dying in Philadelphia March 22, 1848. He was thrice married, and was the father of seven children. Nathaniel Shewell, a leading character of this vicinity, and a descendant of Walter, is remembered by many persons of the present generation. He used to relate that, when a boy, shad came up the Neshaminy as far as Castle valley bridge, which would argue that there were no dams in the stream at that day to impede their passage. [He was elected sheriff the fall of 1799; served a term of three years, and died in 1861. (2)*] (1) An old school-house stood on the Shewell farm, on the road from Castle Valley to New Britain, near the highway, supposed to have been built prior to the Revolution. There an old time country school was kept until the public school law went into effect, when it was torn down.* (2) Nathaniel Shewell's will was executed July 27, 1847, and a codicil added, October 28, 1855, was probated January 2, 1861. He was one of Doylestown's earliest merchants, prior to 1790.* (See illustration of Painswick Hall) The Merediths were early settlers in Doylestown township, and were among the first to take up land on the Neshaminy creek, in the vicinity of Castle Valley bridge. James Meredith came as early as about 1730, whose son, Hugh Meredith, was a practicing physician in Doylestown, in 1776. The descendants of the Meredith family are quite numerous in Bucks and neighboring counties. They descend from Chester county ancestry who settled there the beginning of the last century [18th*]. William Meredith, the partner of Benjamin Franklin about 1725, and the late Hon. William M. Meredith were both of the same family. James, said to have been a brother of Franklin's partner, was the immediate progenitor of our Bucks county family. His uncle Thomas became possessed of several hundred acres about Castle Valley, on both sides of the creek. His son Thomas, who became crazed with over-much study, and was the inheritor of these lands, was sent to Bucks county to spend his life on his possessions, and his cousin James was induced to come along to take care of him. The harmless, demented young man in his whims planned the building of a castle on the right bank of the Neshaminy, near the Alms-House road. With labor and perseverance he carried to the spot a great quantity of stones which he piled up in a circle as high as his head, and cut down trees and had the logs transported to the site. His castle building, which many saner men indulge in, but in not half so practical a way, was not interfered with, and when he died the logs and stones were used to build the first bridge that spanned the stream, and several dwellings. Thomas Meredith's castle building gave the name to that locality. At the death of the crazy cousin the land came into the possession of James, and embraced the farms of Sheridan T. Patterson, Lewis Tomlinson, that lately owned by George W. Lightcap and others. He built a house on the Patterson farm, long owned by Monroe Buckman, and married Mary Nicholas, of Philadelphia. He had four sons, Simon, John, Thomas, and Hugh. James Meredith bought an adjoining farm, now Bonsall's, which then belonged to Samuel Wells, who had built a house on it as early as 1730, and which is still standing. Simon Meredith, born in 1740, married Hannah Hough in 1766, a daughter of Joseph Hough, and granddaughter of Richard Hough, who settled on the banks of the Delaware in 1682, and died in 1813. (3) Hugh was a physician, married Mary Todd, and lived and died in Doylestown. His two sons, John and Joseph, were likewise physicians, and his daughter Elizabeth married Abraham Chapman and became the mother of Hon. Henry Chapman. Three of Simon's sons became physicians. His widow died April 18, 1819, aged 87 years, which carries her birth back to 1732. The older branches of the Meredith family intermarried with the Fells, Mathewes, Foulkes, etc. (3) 1876 edition gives 1713 as Simon's death but this has to be an error as he was born in 1740. Benjamin Snodgrass, the ancestor of those bearing the name in this county, and whose descendants are found in many parts of the country, immigrated from Ireland to America previous to 1730. During a long voyage his whole family perished of hunger except himself and daughter Mary. He settled in what is now Doylestown township, but then included in New Britain. Some time after his arrival he married Jane Borland, a widow, and by her had five children, Benjamin, born 1731, James, born 1734, Rebecca, Margaret, (4) and Jane. Mary Snodgrass, the daughter who survived the voyage, married Robert Stewart, and had one daughter, Jane, who married John Grier, the father of the late John Stewart Grier. Benjamin Snodgrass died in 1778, his will being proved the 13th of October. He left numerous legacies to his children, and his farm was sold by his executors in January 1779. The oldest son of Benjamin Snodgrass, by his second wife, married Mary McFarland, born 1731, died 1818, and had three sons and one daughter. While on his way to visit his son James, a Presbyterian minister settled at New Hanover, Dauphin county, he was thrown from his gig on July 1, 1804, and so badly injured that he died in a few days. Of the other children of Benjamin the elder, James married Ann Wilson, and died 1809; Rebecca [married] a Watson, Margaret [married] a Law, and Jane [married] a Harvey. Benjamin, son of the second Benjamin, was a soldier of the Revolution, was present at the battle of Trenton, and died a bachelor. His youngest sister, Mary, born in 1772, married John Mann, and died in 1803. James, the youngest son of Benjamin Snodgrass the elder, had one son and six daughters. James, his son and youngest child, born October 21, 1780, married Mary McKinstry, and died at Doylestown in April 1870. The daughters married into families of Pool, Harrar, Todd, Rich, Grier [Greir*], and Armstrong. [The late*] Benjamin S. Rich, of Buckingham, is a descendant of James the elder, and [the late*] Jefferson Grier [Greir*] a descendant of Sarah Snodgrass. The Rev. William D. Snodgrass, of Goshen, New York, is a son of Rev. James Snodgrass, of New Hanover, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, who deceased in 1846. The late Doctor James S. Rich, of Churchville, was the son of Mary Snodgrass, the granddaughter of James the second. (4) One account calls her Martha. David Johnson was among the early settlers in that part of New Britain, now Doylestown township. He was born in Ireland about 1732, came to Bucks county in early life, and died April 21, 1819, in his 87th year. On of the earliest German settlers in the township was [Philip Swartzlander, ancestor of all who bear the name in the county, who immigrated from a German province of Switzerland. He arrived in 1752, bringing one son, Gabriel, and a daughter Barbara,*] settled on Pine run, and died in 1784; [he married a second time, in the same year of his arrival, and had two sons, Philip and Conrad. His son Gabriel, born March 31, 1747, and died July 17, 1814, aged 67 years, three months, and seventeen days,*] married Salome Stout, and at his death left four sons and two daughters, John, who died young, Jacob, the grandfather of Dr. Frank Swartzlander, the elder, of Doylestown, David (5), and Joseph who died March 7, 1875. Gabriel Swartzlander, was the grandfather of Joseph Swartzlander, of Lower Makefield. We have no record of the daughters. [One of the half-brothers of Gabriel Swartzlander migrated to North Carolina in the vicinity of New Berne, but that branch of the family have disappeared.*] (5) Not included in 1905 edition. A considerable part of Doylestown township was embraced in the lands which William Penn conveyed to the Free Society of Traders in 1681. In this section lay a tract of over 8,000 acres, whose northeastern boundary was the Swamp road, and which extended into the township of Warwick, New Britain and Hilltown. When the Society lands were sold by trustees, Jeremiah Langhorne bought 700 acres in Warwick, bounded on the northwest by the line of New Britain, and this purchase embraced all the site of Doylestown borough lying southeast of Court street. At his death he divided 310 acres of this tract that was unsold, between two of his negro men, for life-Cudjo and Joe. Cudjo's title was extinguished by the executors in 1751, and his portion sold to Isabella Crawford. Joseph Kirkbride, of Falls, was an early land-holder in Doylestown, and probably afterward a settler, but this we do not positively know, although some of his descendants lived there. His tract lay northwest of the borough and came down to the line of Warwick, now Court street. On march 30, 1730, he conveyed 150 acres to Edward Doyle, originally "Doyl," who was then a resident of New Britains, but how long he had been there is not known. Joseph Fell took up a tract northeast of the town extending out to Pool's corner. One hundred [and fifty*] years ago the land-owners immediately around the borough of Doylestown were Edward and William Doyle, Joseph Kirkbride, William and Robert Scott, and Joseph and Samuel Flack. Jonathan Mason was an early proprietor of a large tract of land in the vicinity of New Britain church, and probably purchased from the Free Society of Traders. [The metes and bounds of the Society's lands when the first edition was published, were obtained from the most reliable sources, but subsequent investigation of the county records (6) shows some correction to be necessary. The original tract contained 5,200 acres, the remainder, subsequently included in it, being made up of warrants held by the society but not yet located. It extended eastward from the Bristol road and a line running northward and corresponding therewith, thence by a right-angled line to the Plumstead line at the village of Fountainville, the present line of Doylestown and New Britain, and embraced 1,000 acres in Warwick. The survey of 1724, when the 5,200 acres were conveyed to Jeremiah Langhorne, disclosed the fact that the line did not reach the Plumstead-Buckingham line by 120 perches, and also left a tract of 700 acres lying next this strip, embracing the site of Doylestown south of Court street and running from the New Britain line down to the line between Buckingham and Warwick. This tract was patented to Langhorne and George Fitzwater, 700 acres to the former, 300 to the latter, as unlocated land represented by warrants held by the Society, Fitzwater's 300 acres being the strip of 120 perches wide along the Plumstead-Buckingham line in New Britain; and he having purchased 310 acres of Langhorne's 700 acre tract, the whole strip of 120 perches was patented to him down to the Buckingham line. In 1744 Fitzwater conveyed 120 acres of this tract to Thomas Holcomb, New Britain, millwright, who erected thereon what is known as "Swartzlander's mill." Holcomb becoming involved, the land and mill were sold for the payment of debts to Joshua Morris, and by him to Smith Cornell, who, after operating the mill until 1767, sold it to Jacob Stout, of Rockhill, the father-in-law of Gabriel Swartzlander, who obtained title to it through his wife, Salome. Langhorne sold one half of the Society tract of 5,200 acres to Joseph Kirkbride, 1729, in three tracts, two of 1,602, and one of 534 acres, respectively, lying in New Britain and embracing the whole of the northeastern part of Doylestown township, and the other 448 acres was in Warwick township lying next the Hough tract, the south corner just reaching across the "Dyer's Mill Road," now the Doylestown-Philadelphia turnpike at the Turk. (6) By Warren S. Ely. The Doyles [were in Bucks county some time before making their appearance in New Britain, about 1730-35. Edward Doyle arrived 14, 8 mo., 1687, served several years to pay his passage and received 50 acres of land. Among the tombstones in the Cold Spring Baptist graveyard, near Bristol, on the Delaware, was one erected to a Doyle, 1707, according to Morgan Edwards. (7) Joseph Fell, pioneer of the Fell family, born 2, 19, 1668, at Lowlands, Cumberland, England, and died in Buckingham township, Bucks county, 8, 9, 1748, married for his second wife 3, 10, 1711, Elizabeth Doyle, Middletown, who died 4, 17, 178_, in her 97th year. They had seven children: John, born 5, 6, 1712, married Elizabeth Watson Sarah, born 8, 26, 1713, married Richard Church Isaac, born 6, 17, 1715, married Hannah Haines Rachel, born 10, 17, 1716, married (1) John Kinsey, and (2) Isaac Kirk Titus, born 5, 7, 1722, married Elizabeth Heston Thomas, born 6, 9, 1725, married Jane Kirk George Fell, born 9, 13, 1728, married Sarah Kirk. Elizabeth (Doyle) Fell was born in Bucks county. Her father was an Irishman and her mother born in Rhode Island. (8) The will of Edward Doyle, probably the immigrant, recorded in the Register's office, Philadelphia, Book B, page 289, is dated September 16, 1702, and proved March 12, 1703. He left 50 acres to his wife Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Dungan, Cold Spring, a breeding mare to his son Edward, and her first colt to his son Clement, and the residue of his estate to his wife. The witnesses to the will were George Knight, Tobias Dymock and William Surkett. The 50 acres mentioned in the will were conveyed to Edward Doyle by Clement Dungan, 4, 9, 1696, and were in Bensalem township on the Bristol road. Edward and Clement Doyle both bought land in the limits of the present Doylestown township of Joseph Kirkbride, Clement 148 acres, where Lemuel wi-Carwithin [sic] now lives, May 3, 1733. He died 1771, leaving children, John, Jonathan, Richard, Rebecca and Margaret Evans. Edward purchased 42 acres, 21 perches wide and 320 long, fronting on our present Court street and northwest of the Fountain House, which he deeded to his son William. Edward died in New Britain, 1760, leaving sons William, Edward and Jeremiah, and daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca. William Doyle's first wife was Martha Hellings, daughter of Nicholas Hellings, and he married (second) late in life, Olive, widow of John Hough. William Doyle died at an advanced age, and among his children were a son Jonathan and a daughter Elizabeth.*] Jonathan must have been a son of the second marriage, for he was not born until 1762, died in 1843 at the age of 81 years. He became possessed of the greater part of his father's real estate at his death, and built Hiestand's mill, then a grist and carding-mill, which he carried on for several years. He married Mary Stephens, of Welsh parentage, and had three children, William, Thomas, and Eliza. Elizabeth, the sister of William Doyle the elder, married a McBurney. Of the children of Jonathan Doyle, William married Eliza Hough, Thomas married Fannie Tucker, and had several children, one daughter of whom is the wife of [the late*] Robert Smith, of Doylestown, and another of Samuel J. Johnson of Philadelphia. William Doyle read law with the late Abraham Chapman, and died at the age of 40. For many years the crossroads at Doylestown was known as "William Doyle's tavern," and during the Revolutionary war it was first dignified with the name of "Doyle's town," from which it was afterward changed to the present spelling. (7) See Historical Magazine, August 1868.* (8) Fell Family History, page 26.* The removal of the county-seat to the hamlet of Doylestown, through which the dividing line of Warwick and New Britain ran, in 1812, called for the formation of a new township around the public building. In August 1818 a number of the inhabitants of these townships petitioned the court, setting forth that "they reside on the extremity of the townships of Buckingham, Warwick, New Britain, and Plumstead, and that it would be to the interest and advantage of the said petitioners to have a new township, making the courthouse the centre thereof, or as nearly so as may be convenient." (9) The court was asked to appoint three impartial men "to view and lay out the township agreeably to law," and in accordance with their prayer, Thomas G. Kennedy, Thomas Yardley, and Thomas Story were selected to perform this duty. They reported to the November term following in favor of a new township, to be called Doylestown, to be formed out of the territory of the three contiguous townships, as follows: From New Britain 5,350 acres, reducing her territory more than one-third, from Warwick 3, 515 acres, and 1, 185 acres from Buckingham. The southeastern corner of the new township, reaching down to Bushington, was the part cut off from Buckingham. The report was confirmed, and the municipal government of the new township was duly put into running order, the late John D. James, many years crier of the courts, being the first elected constable. The area was 10,050, or about 15-1/2 square miles. It was enlarged a few years ago by taking in the northwest corner of Warwick, containing the alms-house farm and buildings. The report of the jury was accompanied by an elaborate map, including several of the surrounding townships, drawn by Thomas G. Kennedy, one of the jurors. (9) When the first edition of the "History of Bucks County" was written, the petition for the erection of Doylestown, was in the quarter sessions office, and the author consulted and replaced it. It is now said to be lost, but probably only mislaid in removing the records, when the new court house was built. (See illustration of Bucks County Court House, 1812-1877.) The Manns of Doylestown, and adjoining township and counties, are descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. John Mann, the son of James and Mary Mann, of county Donegal, Ireland, immigrated to America at the age of twenty, landing at Bristol in the fall of 1732, or 1733. He was a fellow-immigrant with the McNairs and others who bear well-known names in the county. He settled in Warminster or Warwick, in the vicinity of Hartsville, and owned land at his death in both townships. In 1736 he married Margaret Mitchel, of Warwick, born in 1707, and had seven children: William, born 1738 Mary, born 1740 John, born 1742 Ann, born 1745 James first, 1747 James second, 1749 Samuel Mitchel, born 1755. In 1748 he purchased 162 acres in Horsham, which became the homestead of the family, and on it erected a good dwelling in 1754, which is still standing and owned by his descendants. Here his wife died in 1769, and he in 1779, at the age of 67. His estate was divided among his children and grandchildren. The sons and daughters of John Mann married into the families of McLaughlin, McNair, Keith, and others, and had large families of children, and their descendants are numerous and scattered. With scarce an exception they are Presbyterian in faith, and some of them have occupied positions of prominence. Joel K. Mann, of Montgomery county, represented that district in Congress, and died in 1857, at the age of 76. John G. and James S. Mann, of Doylestown, were the grandsons of John Mann the elder. The descendants of John Mann's children intermarried with the Hustons, Snodgrasses, Griers [Greirs*], Fentons, Cravens, Shelmires, Manns, Vanartsdalens, Longs, Kirks, Stuckerts, Duffields, etc. Isaac K. Mann, the great-grandson of John Mann, served three years during the late Civil War in the 104th Pennsylvania regiment. Christian Brower, who lived at the Bridge Point farm many years, purchased the property and moved there in 1848. His grandfather, Henry Brower, was born in 1720, and came to New York from Holland, probably in 1726. In 1746 he bought lands at "Schuylkill," Chester county. He had children by his first wife, De Frain, Abraham, Salome, and Elizabeth, and by a second wife, Barbara High, Isaac, Jacob, John, and Daniel. The last, Daniel, was born in 1757. Christian Brower, born in 1784, was a son of Daniel, and was married to Catharine Price (Bruys), daughter of Daniel Price, of Chester county, March 13, 1814. He had children, Amelia, Daniel, Nathan, Elizabeth, Davis, Anna, George, Sarah, Margaretta, and Adelaide. [Of these, Daniel, George, Margaretta and Amelia are deceased, 1900; Nathan lives at Norristown; Anna and Sarah are married and living; Davis and Adelaide in Doylestown.*] In the olden time Christopher Day gave a lot for a school-house for what was then New Britain, on the Swamp road just above Cross Keys. A log school-house was erected upon it, but it disappeared many years ago. The lot has since then been taken into the farm of John Smith, without title, which is probably in the Commonwealth in the absence of Day's heirs to claim it. Bridge Point has borne its present name so long that the "memory of man runneth not to the contrary," and it was probably so called from the point of land between the two creeks on which the mill, store, and shops are built, and the bridge spanning the stream below. A bridge was built across the Neshaminy at this point, by contract, in 1764, but probably not the first one, at a cost of £210, of which amount the inhabitants raised £152. 6s. by subscription. Henry Crossley agreed to build this bridge by contract for £210, but after it was completed he asked the court for an extra allowance of £35, but whether it was granted we do not know. It is supposed to have spanned the stream where its successor, of masonry, resting on seven arches, was built in 1800, which stands the admiration of all beholders. (10) A bridge was likewise built across the small creek in 1764. At that day the method of building bridges was different from now. When the inhabitants of a locality wished to bridge a stream, they raised all the money they could, and went to work and built the bridge. When done, a petition was presented to the court stating that they had built the bridge, and asked that it might be viewed by persons appointed, and that the county pay the balance of the cost. The viewers not only inspected the bridge, but examined the account of the managers. Their report had to be approved by the grand jury and confirmed by the court before the county assumed any of the cost. Another method was likewise resorted to: the people of the neighborhood first raised all the money they could, and then asked enough from the county to finish the work. (10) When this handsome bridge was built, a century ago, one of the county commissioners was John Brock, grandfather of the late cashier John J. Brock, Doylestown, and he living in the vicinity, no doubt superintended it. It is one of the best bridges in the county, despite its age.* (See illustration of Edison Bridge.) Dr. Samuel Moore, a physician of West Jersey, and son-in-law of Doctor Robert Patterson, the first director of the United States mint at Philadelphia, settled at Bridge Point three-quarters of a century ago [early in the last century*], where he made valuable improvements and carried on an extensive business. Soon after graduating and marriage, in 1798, Dr. Moore located at the village of Dublin, in Bedminster, but afterward removed to Trenton. Failing health drove him from his profession, and he spent the next nine years trading to the East Indies. In 1808 he returned to Bucks county and purchased the grist and oil-mills at Bridge Point. There he erected a saw-mill, with shops and dwellings, store and school-house, and afterward a woolen factory. On an elevated and beautiful site he built a large mansion for himself - the same dwelling now owned by Aaron Fries [Thomas Haddon*] - and where he resided several years, but it has been considerably improved. Dr. Moore was one of the most active in the erection of the first Presbyterian church, Doylestown, toward which he gave $200. In 1818 he was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Ingham, and was twice re-elected. In 1824 he was appointed director of the mint at Philadelphia, to succeed Doctor Patterson. He retired from office in 1835, and the remainder of his life was devoted to private affairs. (11) (11) Dr. Moore died in Philadelphia, February 1861. Robert Patterson, the father-in-law of Dr. Moore, was sufficiently identified with this county to be mentioned in these pages. Born in Ulster, Ireland, May 30, 1743, he immigrated to America in 1768, arriving at Philadelphia in October. A week afterward he set out, on foot, for Bucks county to obtain a school. He was first employed between Hinkletown and the Delaware, but afterward took charge of a school in what was known as the Low Dutch settlement in Northampton township. Here he boarded in the family of Dominie Jonathan DuBois, and among his pupils were the daughters of Judge Wynkoop. The rest of his family came to America in 1773 and 1774. He was an assistant surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and was appointed director of the mint at Philadelphia, by President Jefferson, in 1805, which he filled until just before his death in 1824. He was 35 years professor of mathematics in the University of Pennsylvania, and the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him in 1816, by that institution. His son, Doctor Robert Patterson, afterward professor of natural philosophy in the University of Virginia, assisted the Rev. Uriah DuBois in his school at Doylestown, immediately after graduating in 1804. [The beginning of the last century, probably about 1812-15, Duncan MacGreggor opened a classical school at Bridge Point, a mile below Doylestown, and kept it for several years. He had charge of the department of languages and mathematics and other higher branches, while his two daughters instructed in the ordinary studies. The third child was a son. To this school the families of Pugh, Meredith, Chapman, DuBois, and others, the leaders in the community, sent their sons. Among those educated there was Benjamin Lear, brother of the late Attorney General Lear, who was born on the Rodman farm, Warwick, 1809. There was some romance connected with the MacGreggors, but it was never revealed, nor was it known what became of them. In subsequent years the late Judge Chapman in his leisure moments wrote a romance of which the MacGreggors were the heroes and heroines.*] When Doctor Moore carried on the woolen factory at Bridge Point, there were four other machines in the county for breaking and carding wool, one at Jacob Stover's on the Tohickon, near Piper's tavern, one at the Milford mill, Middletown, and two at the Great Spring mill, near New Hope. John Fitzinger, sometimes called Fritzinger, who owned the farm where the late Thomas W. Trego lived, [and now owned by W. Atlee Burpee and known as the "Fordhook Farm,"*] a mile west of Doylestown, in the recollection of many now living, was a Hessian soldier captured at Trenton in 1776. He refused to be exchanged, but wished to remain in the country. On being taken before Washington, he was asked what he could do, as he declined to enlist in the American army, and he replied that he could make powder. He was sent up to Sumneytown, to be out of reach of the enemy, where he worked in the powder-mills. At that time the army had a large quantity of damaged powder on hand, which Fitzinger was employed to make into a good article. He is said to have made the first glazed powder manufactured in America. At the close of the war he bought the farm referred to, and became a useful citizen. Captain William McHenry, of Pike county, has the short sword that Fitzinger wore when captured at Trenton. The mounting is solid silver, and pricked on the silver plate at the hilt are the figures, 1776. Fifty years ago [nearly 75*] one Bering came from South Carolina to Bucks county, in order to liberate his slaves, thought to have been his own children. He purchased the farm on the Neshaminy, two miles west of Doylestown, late Monroe Buckman's, where he lived several years. An island in the creek was called by his name, on which a celebration was held July 4, 1824, and participated in by the citizens and military. Two beautiful arbors were erected, one for the ladies and the other for the gentlemen. The Berings removed many years ago to parts unknown. This township contains but one village worthy the name, Doylestown, the county-seat, but it has several hamlets. A mile below Doylestown is the TURK, of a dozen dwellings, and a tavern that swung the head of a Turk on its signboard, [but in recent years has gone out of license.*] As long ago as 1814, when John Brunner was the landlord, it was called "Turk's Head." (12) An attempt was made many years ago to change the name of this hamlet to Houghville, but the public would not consent to it, and it is still called by its old name. When, in 1810, it was decided that the county-seat should be removed from Newtown, John Hough, who owned a considerable tract of land about the Turk, laid out the plan of a town, and offered it for the seat of justice. The plat extended north from the Turk tavern to the head of the mill-pond, with squares laid out on each side of the Easton road, with intersecting streets every few hundred feet, one crossing the mill-race just below the breast of the dam and running toward Newtown. Sites for the "court," "offices," and "gaol" are marked on the ridge near Thomas Doyle's house, the first two on the west side of the Easton road and the other on the east with a broad street in front. The other hamlets are NEW BRITAIN, on the southwestern border, the seat of the Baptist church that bears the same name of the township, with a railroad station and a dozen dwellings. FURLONG, formerly Bushington, on the York road on the east, which has a licensed house, and CROSS KEYS on the Easton Road on the north, each partly in Doylestown, and partly in the adjoining township. The New Britain Baptist church and grave yard are wholly in the township. The village of DOYLESTOWN, seat of justice of the county, is situated in the eastern part of the township a mile from the Buckingham line. The bridge that spans Neshaminy at Castle Valley was built in 1835. The first stone house in that vicinity, torn down over half a century, is said to have stood on the farm formerly owned by Ezra Smith, and was a story and a half high, with a steep pitch roof and oaken doors in two folds, and windows with shutters but no glass. A mile west of Doylestown is an old-fashioned stone Mennonite church, built many years ago. Among the ministers who have officiated there we find the names of Kephart, Jacob Kulb, Abraham Godshall, John Gross, Isaac Godshall, Isaac Rickert, Jacob Hiestand, and Samuel Gross, and of deacons Yoder, John Haldeman and Daniel Gross. It is the oldest church edifice standing in middle Bucks. (12) (12) The mill at the Turk was built about 1735, by Hugh Miller, of Warwick. (13) The old church building was replaced by a new one, 1900, and the first service held in it, Sunday, September 9th. The style of architecture of the old building is retained, the size is 64x42 feet, one story and basement, and will seat 400. The interior walls and woodwork are painted white and the pews yellow pine with hard oil finish. The opening exercises were in English and German, conducted by the Revs. Abraham Histand and David L. Gehman, pastors. The building is of stone. [In 1896-97, the buildings for a "National Farm School" were erected a mile west of the county seat, in Doylestown township on the 130 acre farm formerly belonging to the late Judge Watson. It was purchased for the purpose by the Hebrews. The object in view is to teach Jewish children something of practical agriculture while receiving a scholastic education. The buildings were completed in the early summer, 1897, dedicated in June, and opened for pupils shortly after. In the chapter on "Schools and Education" a more lengthy reference is made to the "National Farm School." (14) (14) From the Farm School to Doylestown, the first mile of modern road in the county was constructed the summer of 1900. The work was in charge of Edmund G. Harrison, of the Department of Roads, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. It is to be hoped this sample road may lead to a much needed improved system of county highways. Mr. Harrison went to all sections of the United States educating the people in road making. He is lately deceased.* (See illustration of The National Farm School at Doylestown.) [The old Stephens tavern, on the Upper State Road, a mile and a half west of Doylestown, disappeared from the role of public uses about 1845. The farm, of 50 acres, originally belonging to it, was embraced in the Walter Shewell purchase and came into the Stephens family 1761. The house was first licensed about 1805. Thomas Stephens kept it for nearly 25 years, when it passed into the possession of his son David, the last owner. The author remembers attending a military training there, 1844-45. David Stephens, a Welsh Baptist, was in New Britain as early as 1731, and purchased 227 acres of Joseph Kirkbride. Some years ago a post office was established at Bridge Point, a few hundred yards below the Turk, and given the name of Edison.*] The surface of Doylestown is rolling and diversified, with the spurs of Iron hill breaking it along its northwest boundary, the soil fertile and well-cultivated, and its whole area in view from the top of the Court House cupola. It is well-watered by the winding west branch of the Neshaminy and its tributaries which afford several fine mill seats. On an old title-paper Cook's run is written "Scooke's run." The township is intersected by numerous roads, some of which have been turnpiked. The two oldest, which are still main highways, are the Easton road laid out in 1723 from the County Line to Doylestown, and that from the York road at Centreville to the Schuylkill at Norristown. The former was called the Dyer's mill, and the latter North Wales road for many years, and they intersect each other nearly at right angles in the heart of the village of Doylestown. The road from Doylestown to the York road above Bridge Valley was laid out in 1764, the signers to the petition being Nathan McKinstry, Henry Miller, John Robinson, William Corbit, Archibald Crawford, Charles Janney, William Doyle, John White, and Andrew McMicken. In 1752 a road was laid out through what is now Doylestown, but then Warwick, beginning in the Bristol road at a corner between John Ewers and Joseph Hough, crossing the township and coming out into the Newtown or Swamp road just below Pool's corner. This road crosses the turnpike at the Turk, and Neshaminy at Deep ford. It was surveyed by John Watson August 13th, the day the viewers met. (See autograph of William Doyle.) The Swamp road, which forms the northeast boundary of Doylestown, and runs through Quakertown into Milford township, was laid out in 1737, and was then called the Newtown road. In 1752 a road was laid out from the Easton road, just above the Turk, to the lower state road, and was surveyed by John Watson. [One of the oldest dwellings in the township is on the farm of A. Fretz Weisel, a mile north of Doylestown. It is a substantial stone house 146 years old. On the south end are the following letters with date: W. I. A. , 1758.*] On the morning of January 30, 1809, the house of Jacob Kirkbride, now Judge Chapman's farm-house, half a mile northwest of Doylestown, took fire from an ashpan in the cellarway, and was burned to the ground. Mr. And Mrs. K. were absent, on a visit to friends in Falls, leaving in the house two servants and five children between the ages of three and twelve, who escaped in their nightclothes. We have no means of telling the population of Doylestown township when it was organized, as it is not in the report of the jury that laid it out. At the first census afterward, 1820, it contained 1,420 inhabitants; in 1830, 1, 781, and 362 taxables, which included the village of Doylestown, for that had not yet been incorporated; in 1840, 1,221; in 1850, 1, 307; 1860, the population is put down at 287 in the census report, which is an error, and in 1870 it was 1,954, of which 186 were of foreign birth; [1880, 1, 845; 1890, 1,733; 1900, 1,764. (15)*] (15) August 12, 1878, Mrs. Levinia McConnell, celebrated her 100th birthday near Youngstown, Ohio, a notice of the occasion stating she was born near Doylestown, Pa. From 400-500 people were present. Mrs. McConnell being assisted to the platform, returned her thanks in some brief remarks heard by all present. She was probably born in one of the townships from which Doylestown was made, when organized, 1818. In 1778, when she was born, Doylestown was a simple cross roads with half a dozen houses.* [Among the more recent industries of the township is the Fordhook Seed Farm of Burpee & Co., a mile southwest of Doylestown. The business was established a third of a century ago by W. Atlee Burpee, and, from a modest beginning, has expanded and developed into an important industry. The real estate is a beautiful plantation adorned with appropriate buildings. Philadelphia is the centre of the business where the large seed houses, the business requires, are located.*] End of Chapter XLIII, or XIII 1905 edition.