THE HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CHAPTER LIV, THE COUNTY MILITARY; SOCIETIES, ETC. 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. Transcriptionist's note: Because an additional chapter (on Bridgeton) was added to the 1905 edition, the chapter numbers for the 1905 edition will be one number ahead of 1876 addition. _____________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER LIV, 1876 Edition VOLUNTEERS; BIBLE SOCIETY; AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES; VISIT OF LAFAYETTE; POISONING OF DOCTOR CHAPMAN. or CHAPTER XXV, 1905 Edition THE COUNTY MILITARY; SOCIETIES, ETC. Martial spirit in Bucks. -Troops in French war. -Militia organization. -First volunteer company. -Washington met at Trenton. -Companies organized. -War of 1812. -Troops march to camp. -Captain Purdy's company. -Captain Magill's. -Majors Shelmire and Hart.* -Camps Dupont and Marcus Hook. -Colonel Humphrey's regiment. -Bucks county in Civil War. -General Ward B. Burnett.* -Volunteer encampments. -Bucks County Bible Society. -Agricultural Societies. -Mowers and reapers. -First horse rake.* -Agricultural wealth.* -The creamery industry.* -Beek's exhibition. -Medical and Historical Societies.* -Visit of Lafayette. -Poisoning of Doctor Chapman. -Mina. A martial spirit prevailed in Bucks county, notwithstanding the prevailing sentiment of the Friends was against it and, whenever the occasion required, her citizens turned out to defend the frontiers from the Indians. (1) In 1755 her volunteers were the first to go to the rescue of Bethlehem and the neighboring settlements. The first company to march was Captain Wilson's, 60 strong, the last of November, and in December Captains Asten and Wayne followed him. January 17, 1756, Franklin, then colonel of a regiment, ordered Captain Jacob Arndt, (2) from "Rockland in Bucks," (3) to the frontier near Bethlehem. In the French and Indian war nine associated companies, numbering 513 men, were organized in Bucks county, some of which were called into service on the frontiers. They were officered as follows: 1. Alexander Graydon, captain. Matthias Keen, lieutenant. John Priestly, ensign. Privates, 50. 2. Henry Kroesen, captain. Josiah Vansant, lieutenant. Andrew VanBuskirk, ensign. Privates, 50. 3. Jacob Arndt, captain. Anthony Miller, lieutenant. Nicholas Conrad, ensign. Privates, 33. 4. William Ramsey, captain. John Johnson, lieutenant. John Adams, ensign. Privates, 56. 5. Henry Lott, captain. Garrett Wynkoop, lieutenant. Lifford [Lefford*] Laffordson [Leffordson*], ensign. Privates, 74. 6. Joseph Inslee, captain. John Zubers, lieutenant. Joseph Inslee, Jr., ensign. Privates, 62. 7. Anthony Teate, Captain. Robert Cummings, lieutenant. James Cummings, ensign. Privates, 40. 8. Jonathan Palmer, captain. Luther Calvin, lieutenant. Thompson Price, ensign. Privates, 108. 9. Charles Stewart, captain. Privates, 40. (1) The first attempt to form a militia in this state was in June, 1702, in the absence of William Penn, when a company was organized in Philadelphia, commanded by George Lowther, on the occasion of war with France. (2) Captain Arndt was a popular and energetic officer in the Indian wars, and a member of the Supreme Executive Council during the Revolution. He died at Easton in 1805, whither he had removed. (3) Rockhill township.* In November, 1763, several companies of mounted men from Bucks county arrived at the Crown inn, (4) now South Bethlehem, to protect the frontiers from Indians. We have already written the honorable record of Bucks county in the Revolution, which she maintained in subsequent wars. (4) This inn was on the south bank of the Lehigh about where the railroad station stands at South Bethlehem, and was the first public house opened on that stream.* When the commonwealth was established her arms-bearing sons were organized into at least four militia regiments, which in 1800 were commanded by Colonels Joseph Hart, Hanna, Irwin, and Smith. Augustin Willett, grandfather of the late Charles Willett, of Bensalem, was appointed brigade-inspector soon after 1790, at a salary of $160, and in 1800 was commissioned brigadier-general. William Rodman was appointed by Governor McKean, inspector of Willett's brigade in 1802. In the whiskey insurrection of 1791 Bucks county furnished her quota of militia, among which was a regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Hart. When Washington returned south from New York, in the fall of 1797, he was received by the military of Bucks county on crossing the river at Trenton, and escorted to the Philadelphia county line. General Macpherson wrote to Brigade-Inspector Willett, that "it is the Governor's wish that the President of the United States should be received with military honors on his crossing the Delaware into Pennsylvania, by Captain Clunn's company of artillery, and Captain Gibbs' troop of horses, under a grand discharge of cannon. The troop of horse then to escort him to the line of the county of Philadelphia, where they will be received by another troop belonging to that county." (5) (5) Captain Clunn's company of Artillery was from Bristol borough and Gibbs' troop from Bensalem township.* The first mention of a volunteer company in Bucks county, was in 1788. On the 4th of July of that year a grand celebration, in honor of the adoption of the federal constitution, took place in Philadelphia, and among the military which participated were "the Montgomery and Bucks county troops of dragoons." If the companies of Captains Clunn and Gibbs, mentioned above, were volunteer companies, they were the next oldest. In 1801 William Rodman commanded the "First troop of light dragoons of the Bucks county brigade," of 30 rank and file. In 1806 Bucks county had four organized regiments of militia, the Fifteenth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second and Forty-eighth, commanded by Colonels John Smith, Geofge Piper, Joseph Clunn, and Harman Vansant, with John McCarter, brigade-inspector, and Samuel Smith, brigadier-general. The firing of the British frigate, Leopard, on the Chesapeake, in 1807, caused an outburst of patriotism among the Bucks county militia, and steps were taken to form volunteer companies. Captain Joseph Clunn invites the patriotic citizens of Bristol, between the ages of 45 and 70 years, to enroll themselves as a reserve guard, to be called the "Republican Greys of Bucks county," whose services were to be offered to the President. Clunn states that he is 63 years old, and had "devoted nearly half that time in a military capacity." A meeting to form an infantry company was held at Vanhorne's tavern, now Centreville, Buckingham township, August 1st, and at Humphrey's mill, New Britain, the 8th, and at Doylestown, the 22d, to form artillery companies. The latter day a meeting was held at Leedom's tavern, now Richborough, in Northampton township, of which Enoch Addis was chairman, and John Lefferts, secretary, to raise a volunteer troop of horse. John Lefferts, John Thompson, Ephriam Addis, and William Watts were appointed a committee to prepare an address to the soldiers of the Forty-eighth militia regiment, to stimulate them to immediate action. An adjourned meeting was held at the Cross Roads, now Hartsville, August 29th. Philip Miller sommanded a company of light artillery, probably in Plumstead. A draft was made on Pennsylvania in December, 1807, the quota of Bucks county being 32 artillery, 63 cavalry, and 539 infantry. The artillery company of Captain Joseph Stewart, furnished the artillerymen, the companies of light dragoons of Captains Benjamin Walton and Samuel Sellers the cavalry, and the flank companies of the four Bucks county militia regiments were detailed as part of the infantry, the remainder being drafted from the first and second classes of the militia. The troops were formed into a regiment, and Brigade-Inspector Shaw assigned Lieutenant-Colonel John Kinsey, of the Thirty-second regiment, to command it. The war of 1812, with Great Britain, stimulated the military ardor of the citizens of Bucks county, while the near approach of the enemy to Philadelphia gave their patriotism definite shape. The first effort to raise troops in the county was made at Newtown, where a meeting was held, at Charles Hinkle's tavern, Saturday, August 7, 1813, to form a volunteer company whose services were to be offered to the President. July 14, 1814, the President called for 93,500 militia, of which Pennsylvania was to furnish 14,000. On the 16th a number of the citizens of Bristol, Bensalem, and Middletown met at Newportville and pledged themselves to march at a moment's warning in case the "Fourth district be invaded," and at an adjourned meeting on the 23d, the citizens of Doylestown and vicinity agreed to associate for the purpose of acquiring some knowledge of the "art of war," and met to drill in front of the courthouse three times a week. Harman Vansant, then brigade-inspector, notified the enrolled inhabitants of the county to form themselves into three regiments, and select field officers. The upper regiment was composed of the enrolled inhabitants of Milford, Richland, Rockhill, Hilltown, Springfield, Durham, Nockamixon, Haycock, and Bedminster; middle regiment Ð Tinicum, Plumstead, Solebury, Buckingham, New Britain, Warwick, Warminster, Warrington, and Wrightstown; and the lower regiment, North and Southampton, Middletown, Newtown, Upper Makefield, Falls, Lower Makefield, Bensalem, and Bristol township and borough. These regiments elected the following field officers: Upper regiment Ð Colonel, Jacob Kintner, Lieutenant-Colonel, Christian Bloom, Majors, John Buck and John Stoneback. Centre Ð Colonel, William Long, Lieutenant-Colonel, Samuel Abernethy, Majors, Samuel D. In gham and Edward Yerkes. Lower Ð Colonel, Louis Bache, Lieutenant-Colonel, John S. Benezet, Majors, Orren C. Starr and Anthony Torbert. The militia of this county were known as the First Brigade, Second Division, of which Samuel Smith was appointed Brigadier-General, William C. Rogers, (6) Aid-de-Camp, and Elisha Wilkinson, Quartermaster. Josiah Y. Shaw, of Doylestown, was appointed Aid-de-Camp to Major-General Scheetz, division-commander. The quota from this county, consisting of 88 artillery and 814 infantry and riflemen, to be taken from the first and second classes of the enrolled militia, was called for the 12th of August. They were taken from the four old militia regiments, and consolidated into a battalion, of which Andrew Gilkyson [Gilkeson*] was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and John S. Benezet and Isaac Griffith Majors. The drafted militia assembled at Thomas Beans's tavern, Warminster, Sunday, the 18th of September, to march to Marcus Hook. General Smith and his staff were there. A large concourse of people came together to see them off. The troops were formed in hollow square, when the Rev. Thomas B. Montanye delivered to them an appropriate address. They marched to Philadelphia, and thence to their destination in steamboats. The drafted militia were encamped in the courthouse yard, Doylestown, a day or two. (6) Father of the late William T. Rogers. Information of the burning of Washington reached Bucks county on Saturday, the 26th of August, two days afterward. Court met at Doylestown the following Monday, Bird Wilson being the President-judge, and the late Samuel Hart one of the Associates. After court had called, the late John Fox, then a young man and deputy-attorney-general, arose and stated that the capital of the country was in possession of the enemy, and Baltimore and Philadelphia threatened by them, that he thought the people had other and higher duties to discharge than to be holding court at such a critical time, and he moved an adjournment. The court refused to adjourn, when Mr. Fox took his hat and made a low bow, saying the country required his services elsewhere. He went out of the courthouse, followed by Judge Hart and nearly all the people, whom he addressed in a spirited speech. Mr. Fox returned to Newtown, his place of residence, where he called a meeting to raise a volunteer company. About this time he was elected Second-Lieutenant of Captain Christopher Vanartsdalen's company of militia, of the regiment commanded by Colonel Louis Bache. He was afterward appointed quartermaster, and served a three-months' tour in the field. The patriotic action of Mr. Fox stimulated the military fervor. On Thursday, the 30th of August, a number of the citizens of the neighboring townships, among whom was Samuel Hart, Associate-judge of the courts, met at Hartsville to organize a volunteer company. Before night the complement of men was obtained, the officers elected, and the company named the "Bucks County Riflemen." The following Saturday, September 1st, the company met to drill on John Shelmire's farm, (7) on the road that leads across from Johnsville to Bristol road in Warminster township. Toward evening, the Brigade-Inspector, Harman Vansant, came upon the ground, completed the organization, and announced the Governor's order to march the following Monday morning. Of this company, William Purdy (8) was elected Captain, Samuel Daniels, First-Lieutenant, James Horner, Second-Lieutenant, and John Davis, (9) Ensign. (7) Near what used to be "Hart's schoolhouse." (8) Grandfather of the late Sheriff Purdy. (9) Father of the author. On Monday morning, September 3d, Captain Purdy's riflemen and Captain Vanartsdalen's company of militia from Newtown, met at what was then Foster's corner, but now Southamptonville, on the Middle road. There was a large concourse of relatives and friends present to see them off for the seat of war. They assembled in a wood at the northeast corner of the crossroads, where Mr. Montayne preached a discourse from Matthew, fifteenth chapter, thirteenth verse. This patriotic pastor was appointed chaplain to General Samuel Smith's brigade. The neighborhood furnished wagons to carry the two companies to Philadelphia, and when the starting moment arrived there were "sudden partings," "Such as pressed the life from out young hearts, And choking signs that ne'er may be repeated." The two companies were conveyed to Frankford, whence they marched into the city, and out to Bush Hill, where quarters had been provided them. As they were the first to arrive, their passage through the city was an ovation; housetops and windows were crowded; the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and men cheered the patriotic volunteers. The uniforms for Captain Purdy's company were made in the Masonic Hall by 70 young ladies. This company joined the regiment of volunteer riflemen, commanded by Colonel Thomas H. Humphrey, of Montgomery county, while that of Captain Vanartsdalen repaired to the militia camp at Marcus Hook. William Magill, of Doylestown, recruited a company of riflemen at that place, in the early days of September, which he called "The Bucks county rangers." The other officers were, William Hart, (10) First-Lieutenant, a Mr. Hare, Second-Lieutenant, and John Edgar, Ensign. The company marched from Doylestown on Wednesday, the 21st, 66 strong, in full uniform. The ladies of the vicinity met in the court house the day before to finish and lace the clothing of the men. Before their departure the company marched to the court house, in double-file, separating to the right and left as they entered, where, in the presence of a numerous audience, the Rev. Uriah DuBois made them a patriotic address. At Hatboro [Montgomery county, near the Bucks line,*] 52 men were enrolled by Alexander McClean, who was elected Captain, Thomas Boileau, First-Lieutenant, a Mr. Davis, Second-Lieutenant, and John W. Stackhouse, Ensign. These four companies, including that of Captain Vanartsdalen, and numbering 245 men, were enrolled in about one week within a radius of six miles from Hartsville, which shows the patriotic spirit of the day. Colonel Humphrey's regiment was mustered out of service December 12, 1814, and returned home. (11) The news from the seat of war came into the county slowly, either by the Easton stage, which ran through Doylestown daily, going and returning from Philadelphia, and the "Swiftsure" line that traveled the Old York road. When any news of importance reached Doylestown on a Sunday, Asher Miner announced it in a handbill. The surrender of General Hull and the capture of Washington caused much consternation among the people. Bucks county saw nothing of the war but the marshaling of her sons to repel invasion, if we except 25 British officers, prisoners of war, who passed through Doylestown, en route from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, March 14, 1814. July 4, 1815, a few months after the conclusion of peace, was celebrated at Doylestown by a procession, headed by the Bucks county rangers, Captain Magill, which proceeded to the court house, where there was a prayer by the Rev. Mr. DuBois, reading of the Declaration [of Independence*] by Asher Miner, and an oration by Samuel D. Ingham. These services were followed by a collation in a grove near by, and 100 ladies were provided with refreshments in the grand jury room. The festivities were concluded by a concert in the court house in the evening. (10) A young member of the bar. (11) The troops voted in camp at the October election. [Humphrey's regiment, designated the "First Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Riflemen," was attached to the "Advance Light Brigade" 3,504 strong and encamped on the lower Delaware during its tour of duty.*] The effect of the war of 1812-14 was to raise the price of all articles. Sugar was sold at 33 and coffee at 40 cents, while cotton and woolen goods went up to almost fabulous prices. Many expedients were resorted to, to avoid the high prices. Rye came into general use for coffee, and sugar was dispensed with. The suspension of the banks flooded the country with paper money of all denominations, issued by corporations and individuals. Prices kept up until 1816, when wheat reached three dollars a bushel, corn a dollar and a quarter, and oats 75 cents. The reaction that followed put land down one-half, wheat sold for 75, corn 30, and oats 25 cents per bushel, and many farmers were ruined. (12) (12) The direct war-tax of Bucks county was $1600. The martial spirit of the young men of Bucks county was greatly stimulated by the war with Great Britain, and a number of volunteer companies was organized in the next six years under the new militia act of 1814. (13) By 1822 there were 19 companies in the county, the greater part of them were riflemen, a popular arm in the war just closed. The first formation in battalions took place October 13, 1821, when the companies of Captains Rogers, Evans, and Vanhorne organized into a battalion, with Matthias Morris for Major, Lewis S. Coryell, Adjutant, and James Darrah, Quartermaster, The 30th of August, same year, the officers of the Bucks county rangers, Warwick rangers, Alert Riflemen, Perkasie Foresters, and Rifle Blues met at Doylestown to organize a battalion, and other companies were requested to meet them at Lukens' tavern, Warrington, the second Saturday of October (14). In November several officers met at Doylestown to organize a "military society," for the purpose of improving in "military tactics." Colonel Thomas Humphrey was elected Major-General of the division, composed of the counties of Bucks and Montgomery. In September, 1821, the Alert Light-Horse company was organized at Addisville, and the Jackson Guards, of New Britain, in 1823. January 12, 1822, Captain Himelwright's Cavalry, Short's Rifle Rangers, and Fries's Rifle Blues met at Jacob Baker's tavern in Rockhill to take steps to form a battalion, but it is not known what came of it. In January, 1823, Stephen Brock was elected Major of a battalion composed of three companies. Mahlon Dungan was elected Brigadier-General of the brigade in January, 1824. The same year Thomas Sellers commanded a company of cavalry in Rockhill, known as the Bucks County Troop. (13) They were the companies of Jacob Buck, Jr., Joseph Himelwright, troop of cavalry, George Short, Rifle Rangers, John Fries, Rifle Blues, James Horner, Warwick Riflemen, Jacob Kooker, Andrew Apple, Joseph Hare, William T. Rogers, Bucks County Rangers, Joel Evans, Perkasie Foresters, Cornelius Vanhorne, New Hope Rangers, Thomas Craven, John Davis, Alert Riflemen, Evan Groom, Andrew Murphy, John Murfit, Alert Light Infantry Blues, William Magill, Independent Artillerists, John Robbarts, Doylestown Cavalry. (14) Nicholas Buck organized a company of Volunteers prior to 1809, and it was in existence after 1815. He was a brother of Majors John and Jacob Buck. Military titles were much sought after at that period.* These movements gave rise to the volunteer organizations in the county which were kept together, with eclat and spirit, for about 30 years. The various companies became consolidated into two regiments, the First and Second Bucks county volunteers, and two or three battalions. The former was a fine body of troops, and in its prime was the pride of the lower end of the county. Among its commanders were John Davis, Simpson Torbert, and Thomas Purdy. The first battalion of the First regiment was probably organ ized in the fall of 1822, and on February 3, 1823, John Davis was elected and commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. When the Second battalion was formed, by the spring of 1826, he was elected Colonel, and held the commission until elected Brigade-Inspector in 1828. One of the first volunteer parades of the day was made at Morrisville, September 29, 1827, consisting of the First regiment of Bucks county volunteers, a regiment from New Jersey under General Wall, a regiment from Philadelphia, and several troops of horse. After a drill they sat down to a dinner of 500 covers, and in the afternoon marched through Trenton. Among the commanders of the Second regiment was the venerable Isaiah James, of New Britain. The Centre Union battalion, commanded by Major Charles H. Mathews, was a popular body in its day. All these organizations had full ranks for several years. The Doylestown Grays was an independent company, but frequently paraded with Major Mathew's battalion. Henry Chapman was Captain of the Grays for two or three years. The name was subsequently changed to Doylestown Guards, and uniformed as artillery. The company offered its services in the Mexican war, but was not accepted, [as the quota was already filled. The Doylestown Guards was the first company to offer its service, from Bucks county, in the Civil war, and served in the three months' campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, 1861, but the men were almost entirely new enlistments.*] One of the finest volunteer companies in the county was the Union troop, a handsomely uniformed and equipped body of cavalry. [It was organized at a meeting held July 20, 1822, at the Indian Queen tavern, Doylestown, subsequently known as the "Ross Mansion," and the present site of the National Bank, northeast corner of Court and Main streets. John Robbarts, new Britain, was mainly instrumental in its organization and elected its first captain. Archambault, an ex-officer of the great Napoleon's military household, commanded it for several years,*] and the troop did good service in the Philadelphia riots in 1844 under him. [Our county military was at its best between 1825 and 1850. In 1831 there were 34 organized, uniformed and equipped companies, formed in two regiments and two battalions, besides several independent companies. The martial spirit began to decline in the 40's, and after the Mexican war, there was some falling off in membership. In the ten years from 1835 to 1845, there were three volunteer encampments in the county, all creditable affairs, several hundred men being under canvas, on each occasion, for nearly a week, largely attended by the public, and discipline was well maintained. The first was in 1837, called "Camp Washington" on the Middle road a mile above Addisville, Northampton township. The following year the encampment was in Southampton township on the road between the Buck tavern and Attleborough, and called "Camp Jefferson," though we could never understand why it was named after a man who had never been a soldier, unless because Thomas Jefferson was a Democrat, and the Democrats dominated the military of the county. The turn out here was about the same as the year before. The next encampment was in 1843, on the fields subsequently owned by the Doylestown Agricultural Society a little southwest of Doylestown. Twenty companies, from this and adjoining counties, accepted invitation, and about 800 men were under canvas. The late General John Davis, Major General of the Division, commanded the three camps. The latter was called "Camp Jackson," and Captain Alden Partridge, formerly superintendent of West Point, was present as instructor and lecturer. What the Mexican war left of the volunteer militia, the Civil war killed, and now there is but a single company in the county and that costs the state $500 a year, not including the uniforms, rations and transportation. The state military force, known as "Volunteers," was self-supporting, the state only supplying the arms. In the palmiest days of our Bucks county military, the officers, most active in keeping it alive, were John Davis, who bore the commissions of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel Brigade-Inspector and Major-General, William T. Rogers, Brigade-Inspector and Major-General, Joseph Morrison, Colonel and Brigadier-General, Isaiah James and Joseph Mann, Colonels, Charles H. Mathews (15) and Paul Applebach, Major Generals, the latter of the last Division, and others whose names do not occur to us. The effort was made to revive the expiring volunteer system in 1849, by allowing each company, of 30 rank and file, $30 a year, and $75 with 50, but it had no visible effect for the better. From some cause or other the military spirit of the county had expired.*] (15) Dr. Mathews was on his death bed when elected Major General; the author, as Brigade-Inspector, held the election and carried the returns to him. This was in 1849.* [The last report of the strength of the uniformed and equipped volunteer companies of Bucks county, was made by Brigade-Inspector, W. W. H. Davis, September 1, 1849, as follows: 1. "Washington Blues" Captain, George W. Swartzlander First-Lieutenant, George M. Garner Second-Lieutenant, Abraham R. Kephart 2. "Pennsylvania Blues" Captain, Jonathan J. Morrison First-Lieutenant, S. Clayton Second-Lieutenant, Amos J. Morrison 3. "Doylestown Guards" Captain, Charles H. Mann First-Lieutenant, James Gilkyson Second-Lieutenant, George T. Harvey 4. "Nockamixon Infantry" Captain, Hugh Kintner First-Lieutenant, Thomas C. Purdy Second-Lieutenant, William J. Smith 5. "Diller Artillerists" Captain, W. W. H. Davis First-Lieutenant, Amos S. Dudbridge Second-Lieutenant, Jonathan Walton 6. "United Rifle Rangers" Captain, Jonathan J. Thomas First-Lieutenant ______ Second-Lieutenant, Mahlon Schook 7. "National Blues" Captain, George M. Hager First-Lieutenant, John Weisel Second-Lieutenant, Jacob H. Solliday 8. "Independent Blues Captain, Jacob S. Booz First-Lieutenant, Charles W. Kern Second-Lieutenant, Jacob Sever 9. "Union Blue Artillerists" Captain, Solomon Katz First-Lieutenant, William Anderson Second-Lieutenant, Elias Shellenberger 10. "Union Troop" Captain, Joseph Archambault First-Lieutenant, John L. Lashley Second-Lieutenant, James S. Mann Third-Lieutenant, James H. Hart Cornet, Samuel M. Smith 11. "United Huzzars Captain, Levi Cassell First-Lieutenant, John G. Gerhart Second-Lieutenant, Thomas G. Grove 12. "Washington Cavalry" Captain, John Younkin First-Lieutenant, Christian Hagar Second-Lieutenant, Edward Clymer.*] [One of the finest military parades of the county volunteers was on June 21, 1832, to witness the hanging of Mina for the murder of Dr. William Chapman. Sixteen companies from the county were present, three from Montgomery, two of cavalry and one of infantry, and one company of cavalry from Lehigh.*] Bucks county fully sustained her military reputation in the late Civil war, and hundreds [if not thousands*] of her sons joined the armies of the republic. The Doylestown guards was the first company to offer its services, April, 1861, [and accepted five days after the flag of Sumpter was fired on,*] and served a three months' tour of duty on the Upper Potomac, in the Twenty-fifth regiment. During the summer Henry C. Beatty, of Bristol, David V. Feaster, of Newtown, and Doctor Joseph Thomas, of Applebachville, raised companies for the Third regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, Beatty dying from wounds received in action. About the same time John H. Shelmire raised a company for the First New Jersey Cavalry in this and Montgomery county, of which James H. Hart [of Warminster*] was First Lieutenant. When Shelmire was killed, [being Major of the regiment, Hart was appointed to the vacancy*], and fell at Five Forks, Virginia, in April, 1865, at the close of the war. [On the return of Captain Davis from the three months' campaign, the last of July,1861,*] by authority of the Secretary of War, recruited and organized in the county a regiment of infantry, the 104th, and a [battery of artillery*], which served three years in the field [or during the war. The battery was known as "Durell's" from the name of its captain.*] During the summer of 1862, Samuel Croasdale, a young lawyer of Doylestown, and Christian K. Frankenfield, raised companies of 128th Pennsylvania, a nine months' regiment, of which Croasdale was made Colonel, and fell at Antietam. The same fall seven companies were drafted from this county by the State authorities, and formed part of the 174th regiment, which served for nine months. A United States draft was made in 1864, but the county appropriated $300,000 to fill the quota by substitution. At the end of the contest the county was left with a war debt of a million dollars. Among the most efficient organizations, to relieve the sick and wounded soldiers, were the Aid societies, principally managed by the ladies, of which there were several in the county. They collected a large amount of money, distributed great quantities of goods among the troops, and did much to encourage enlistments. Their labors were greatly appreciated by the army. [In addition to the organizations above named, several companies entered the service, for short periods in 1862-63, during the Confederate invasions of Pennsylvania.*] [The 104th regiment made a distinguished record for itself and the county, serving in the Army if the Potomac, and in the Southern Atlantic states. It opened the battle in front of Richmond, for possession of the Confederate capitol, by firing the first volley at the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, losing 175 in killed and wounded, of the 393 officers and men that went into action. A struggle for the colors took place, the enemy coming near capturing them. This episode, the "Rescue of the Colors" was afterward painted in oil by William T. Trego, the most distinguished military painter in America, and presented to Bucks county by the Honorable John Wanamaker, the ceremony taking place in the court room, Doylestown, October 21, 1899, in the presence of a large audience. It now hangs in a room in the court house in the custody of the Bucks County Historical Society, and is visited by many persons. The canvas is 8x11 feet and the frame an elegant piece of work.*] [Besides the prominent officers, who were active in our home military and turned out when the county needed their services, there were several of national repute, either born here, or had such connection with the county as entitles them to a place in this chapter. Among these may be mentioned Generals Daniels, Morgan, Pickens and Lacey of Revolutionary fame; General Brown, who rose to be commanding general of the United States army; General Zebulon M. Pike, who fell at Little York, Canada, in the war of 1812-15 with England; Colonel Charles Ellen, and his two brothers, who distinguished themselves in the Civil war; and General Ward B. Burnett, who distinguished himself in the Mexican war. While possibly not a native of Bucks county, he was appointed from it to West Point in 1828, by the Hon. Samuel D. Ingham, while a member of Congress, entering July, 1828, and graduating, 1832. Among the honors conferred upon him, for his gallantry, was the presentation to him, by the city of New York, of the gold snuff box that city had given to General Jackson, 1819, and which the latter bequeathed "to that patriot of New York City, who should be adjudged, by his countrymen, to have been the most distinguished in defense of his country's rights in the next war." It was awarded to General Burnett in 1849. He commanded the Second New York regiment. While he made his home in New York, he died at Washington city, June 27, 1884, and was buried at West Point.*] The Bucks County Bible Society, one of the most useful religious organization in the county, was formed and officers chosen in the Episcopal church, Bristol, June 24, 1816. (16) The leading object was announced to be "to assist in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment." At this meeting Rev. Robert B. Belville presided, and Rev. Dr. Janeway delivered an instructive address. Local and township committees were appointed to cooperate with the board of managers, and the formation of congregational societies was encouraged. At the annual meeting in 1817 an effort was made to have a committee appointed in each township in order to supply with a Bible every destitute family in the county, but the idea was in advance of the times and was abandoned. In 1827 Rev. Samuel B. Howe, pastor of the Solebury Presbyterian church, introduced a resolution in favor of providing every destitute family in the county with a copy, and the same year the Philadelphia society resolved to supply every destitute family in the State. The county society immediately began to cooperate, but it was not until 1829 that the American Bible Society engaged in the work. (16) Among the managers were the following prominent gentlemen: Revs. Uriah DuBois and Thomas B. Montanye, and Samuel D. Ingham, John Pugh, Enos Morris, and Samuel Moore. Our county society appointed committees in the several townships, and 800 Bibles were ordered from the parent society. Down to 1843 but little had been done, but often talked of. In 1847 two brothers Bernheim commenced a thorough canvass of the county, to supply destitute families, and their report at the annual meeting in 1849 showed their work had been well done. The work was again undertaken in 1856, by John C. Agin, assisted in some townships by Uriah Thomas, without pecuniary reward, and completed by the annual meeting in 1859. The supply of Bibles for this purpose was increased by contributions from the Female societies of New Hope, Bristol, Newtown, and Doylestown. From that time to the present there has been a new canvass about every seven years, the changing population calling for this repetition. The society has contributed to this work in other countries, and in 1836 gave $100 to the Sandwich Islands. In 1861 every soldier who went from this county was supplied with a Bible, and in 1862-63 it gave $200 for a supply of Bibles for the army. The semi-centennial of the society was celebrated in the church where it was organized, August 23, 1866, when an historical discourse was delivered by Rev. Silas M. Andrews, D. D. The society is in a flourishing condition and active in its good work. [The 78th annual meeting was held at Yardley, October 22, 1896, Dr. Charles R. King, of Bensalem, in the chair. The following year the meeting was held in the Presbyterian chapel, New Hope.*] The first society in the county for "promoting agriculture and domestic manufactures" was organized in Buckingham township. The meetings were generally held in school houses, and it probably died a natural death, but the date of its demise is not known. [It was organized about 1809, and the constitution adopted December 30th, the officers being, a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, to be elected annually by ballot. The following were the members: Samuel Johnson, Moses Eastburn, Joseph Eastburn, John Ely, Samuel D. Ingham, Samuel Gillingham, John Ruckman, Stephen Wilson, John Parker, William Gillingham, Joseph Watson, Charles D. Fell, Joseph Thompson, John Hughes, Amos Eastburn, John Watson, Jr., Hezekiah B. Ingham, Jonathan Gillingham, Jonathan Smith, Jonathan W. Ingham and Oliver Hampton.*] In 1819 a society was organized under the name of the "Bucks County Agricultural Society," to promote agriculture. The earliest exhibition we have note of was held in November, 1824, under the care of En os Morris, Thomas Yardley, John Linton, Doctor Phineas Jenks, and J. W. Wynkoop. The display was small and select, but creditable, including a plowing match. The six committees were, on plowing, implements of husbandry, horses and cattle, hogs, sheep and vegetables. (17) Exhibitions were held annually for several years, the name, meanwhile, being changed to "The Agricultural Society of Bucks County," with a change of management, in which the ladies had no part. It promoted the discussion in the newspapers of many subjects of interest to farmers. At the annual exhibition in 1826, Jeremiah Bailey exhibited a model of his machine for mowing grass and grain, which had been in successful operation in Philadelphia county, as was well endorsed by Edward Duffield and Samuel Newbold. James Worth, of Newtown, had also used it the last season, and said it did better work than anything he had yet seen. Garret Brown is said to have made a mowing machine at his shop, on James Worth's farm, 50 years ago. A few ladies took interest in the society, and in 1827 Mr. Ingham delivered an address before it in the old court house. (18) At the exhibition November 10, 1828, premiums were offered on horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, miscellaneous articles, and plowing. Some of the fine stock of John Hare Powell was brought to this last exhibition. Among other leading men who encouraged this pioneer society, were Doctor John H. Gordon, Thomas G. Kennedy, Michael H. Jenks, and James Worth. At the May meeting, 1829, Dr. Jenks introduced a strong temperance resolution, which was adopted. The minutes are silent as to what was said on the subject, but instead of preparing for the November exhibition, at the next meeting, the society was adjourned until September, 1832. At the adjourned meeting arrangements were made to wind it up, which was done in October. The society was probably assisted to its untimely end by jealousy and rivalry among the members. (17) A leading feature of the society appears to have been to improve the breed of horses and cattle by introducing pure, new blood. (18) The court house was purchased by James Phillips, who attempted to dig a cellar under it, but the walls began to give way, and soon after 1827, it was taken down. It was at this period that the ingenious first turned their attention to the want of machinery for cutting and gathering the hay and grain crops. About this time a skillful mechanic of this county, named Reading, announced the invention of a threshing machine, which was first exhibited and tried on the farm of Robert and William Mearns, in Warwick township. It was worked by four horses and had ample power, but its structure was defective and objectionable. This machine was not successful, and years of improvement were necessary to bring this useful implement to its present perfection. This pioneer agricultural society was not without good, but it was a little too early for the wants of farmers. [Efforts were made, prior to this, to invent agricultural machinery and implements to make easier the gathering of the summer crops, and a patent horse rake was used in this county as early as 1812 by Joseph Longstreth, Warminster. An account of this is given in the Longstreth papers, as follows: "The original horse rake, one sided with teeth, was invented by a colored man who lived on Hempstead Plains, Long Island, and died there, 1821. It was introduced into Pennsylvania by Michael Newbold, Oxford township, Philadelphia county, who was induced to try it by a Yankee peddler, who lodged at his house, and had witnessed its expeditious way of gathering hay on the plains. Newbold's first rake was made by F. Altemus, a carpenter. It worked more to the admiration of its owner than to the satisfaction of his neighboring hay-makers, one of whom placed it in the road one night where it was run over and every tooth broken out. This did not discourage Newbold, who had it repaired and continued its use. Joseph Longstreth saw this rake while on a visit there, and had one made, 1812-13, and used it on his farm. It met with the jeers of the haymakers. This was the first horse rake used in Bucks county."*] Several years now elapsed before another effort was made to organize a society in the county to promote and encourage the husbandman in his labors. The next attempt was more successful in results. The Bucks County Agricultural Society had its origin in a "highly respectable meeting of farmers," as the record has it, held at Hough's hotel, Newtown, December 4, 1843, Doctor Phineas Jenks in the chair, and Edward M. Paxson secretary. A constitution was submitted and signed by 71 persons. At the election of the first permanent officers, in February, 1844, Samuel D. Ingham was chosen president. The society devoted itself to the diffusion of agricultural knowledge by carefully prepared addresses and otherwise. The first exhibition was held at Newtown, October 25th, same year, but no money premiums were offered, nor charge for admittance. The display was made in one of the enclosures attached to the Brick hotel, and four committees did all the work, on plowing, stock, agricultural implements, and products. Mr. Ingham delivered an address. The display was good, and at least a thousand persons were present. Subsequently a tract of several acres was purchased on the Yardleyville road, where the exhibition was held for about 20 years. Mr. Ingham continued to serve as president until he moved out of the county, when he was succeeded by James C. Cornell, of Northampton township, and he by William Stavely in 1855. In 1857 the term of office was limited to three consecutive years, and since then it has been filled by Hector C. Ivins, of Falls, Adrian Cornell, of Northampton, William Stavely, of Solebury, an Oliver H. Holcomb, of Newtown. The society was incorporated in 1857, and in 1865 the grounds on the Yardleyville turnpike were sold, and 30 acres purchased southeast of the town, fronting the Bridgeton turnpike, whither the large building was removed, and the exhibitions held until the fall of 1872, when the last one took place. The grounds were sold in the spring of 1873. In 1871 they began holding quarterly meetings for the discussion of agricultural and domestic subjects. The society never offered large premiums for trotting horses, but sought rather to encourage the practical branches of agriculture. Besides the annual exhibitions, on numerous occasions there were held public trials of mowing, reaping, plowing, and threshing, with complimentary premiums. The money premiums given at the public exhibitions in different years were: in 1852, $303; 1856, $594; 1863, $726.85; 1872, the last held, $732.08, and $149.74 in plated ware. In 1855 William Beek, of Doylestown, purchased a tract of 25 acres at the southwest edge of the borough, which he enclosed with a board fence and erected on it a handsome building for exhibition purposes. He also built extensive stabling for cattle and other stock. In August of that year a successful exhibition was held under his patronage, including a fine display of stock, agricultural implements and products, domestic handiwork, a baby show, and a competition among female equestrians. An address was delivered by Horace Greeley. The attendance of people was unusually great, and the exhibition was a successful affair. That fall the building was blown down by a gale of wind and never rebuilt. It proved a total loss to the owner. [In the next ten years the agricultural exhibition spirit was revived, and,*] in 1865, a chartered company, under the name of the "Doylestown Agricultural and Mechanics' Institute," bought the Beek tract, and that fall held a successful exhibition under canvas. The following year a convenient brick building, in the shape of a cross, 96 feet each way, was erected on the ground. Since then other improvements have been erected. The trotting track is on the half-mile trotting track is one of the best in the country. The society grew to be one of the most prosperous in the State, and for several years the display was extensive and valuable at the exhibition. For several years the stock paid a handsome dividend, and several thousand dollars were given in premiums. Competition in trotting is an especial feature of the exhibition. [Like its predecessors, it came to an end. (19)*] (19) The society wound up its affairs about 1890; the property was sold, and, after paying the debts, the remainder was divided among the stockholders.* [As an agricultural county, Bucks always ranked high, as the census of 1870 bears witness: Acres under cultivation, 315,833 Value of her farms, $40,289,213 Her products of various kinds, $6,571,626 Yield of wheat, 525,740 bushels Indian corn, 1,325,626 Oats, 1,208,717 Hay, 118,014 tons Butter, 2,861,557 pounds. The value of her manufactures, $4,732,118. Since then there has been an increase in agricultural wealth, and the census of 1890 returns Bucks as the 5th richest county in the United States. A few additional figures will be in place: The taxable inhabitants are 26,685 Clear land, 336,263 acres Timber subject to taxation for county purposes, $38,311.439. At the same time Bucks county had 14,679 horses, and 23,572 milk cows.*] The passage of Lafayette through the county in September, 1824, caused great sensation. His arrival at New York, as the nation's guest, was hailed with delight and his progress through New England and return were watched with deep interest. His visit to this county on his way to Philadelphia and the south was looked forward to as a great event, and the people made arrangements to give him a fitting reception. A large meeting of the inhabitants of the neighboring townships was held at Bristol the 3d of September, to make the needful preparations. A similar meeting was held at Tullytown. On the 4th, the officers of Colonel John Davis's regiment of volunteers, and a number of militia officers and citizens, met at Ann Hinkle's tavern, Newtown, and resolved to have a general turnout to welcome Lafayette to Bucks county. This action was strengthened by an order from General Dungan, commanding the brigade, for the militia to turn out on the occasion. Colonel Davis's regiment resolved to meet him at the Trenton bridge, and the Centre rifle battalion, Major Stephen Brock, at Frankford, where they joined the escort to Philadelphia. General Lafayette reached Trenton Saturday afternoon, September 25th, and stayed there over Sunday. That afternoon the Governor of Pennsylvania passed through Bristol on his way to Morrisville, to receive the distinguished stranger. On Monday morning an immense concourse of people gathered at Morrisville, together with Colonel Davis's regiment, mounted, 600 strong, and several independent companies, to act as escort. Here a difficulty presented itself. Philadelphia not knowing that Bucks had made arrangement to receive Lafayette, sent up a cavalry force to escort him down to the city. Both claimed the right to receive him at the bridge as he entered the state, but it was conceded to Bucks in the reception ceremony and in the escort through the county. As the procession entered Bristol the honored guest was received by the inhabitants of the town and their families drawn up on the turnpike, and he passed under a triumphal arch (20) erected over the bridge. Here he dined, and was introduced to many persons, including Mrs. Bessonett, his nurse when wounded in 1777. When Colonel Davis was presented, he said to the General that his father, John Davis, an [soldier*] in the Pennsylvania line, [assisted to carry*] him off the field when wounded at Brandywine. Lafayette replied that he remembered the circumstance well, and said the two handled him like a child, and in remembrance he gave the Colonel a good French hug. After dinner the procession moved on in the same order to the Philadelphia line, when the [Lafayette*] was formally delivered to the committee from the city. The Bucks county escort now fell into the rear, but many of them continued to the city, and took part in the festivities that followed. (21) (20) The frame of this arch is still in existence, in possession of some one in Bristol. (21) A Philadelphia newspaper, of the date of August 29, 1900, in noticing the death of a Mrs. Blunden, at an advanced age, said she was introduced to Lafayette, while on her bridal tour, in 1824, while the General was dining at Bessonett's tavern, Bristol. As Lafayette is known to have dined at Bessonett's tavern, on but one occasion, Mrs. Blunden was doubtless presented to him when on his way from New York to Philadelphia, September 27, 1824. Mrs. Blunden was the daughter of James Lott, a Revolutionary soldier, and born near Bristol, April 28, 1802. No local event of the century caused more excitement in the county than the poisoning of Dr. William Chapman, of Bensalem, in May, 1831. He lived at Andalusia, where he kept a school to cure stammering, which had become quite famous. The 9th of May, a Spaniard, who called himself Mina, and represented that he was the son of the Governor of California, claimed his hospitality. He wormed himself into the affections and confidence of the wife, in some mysterious manner, and she assisted the Spaniard to poison her husband. In a short time they were married, but suspicion was soon directed toward them, when they were arrested and lodged in jail at Doylestown. A long and tedious trial followed, which resulted in his conviction, and sentence to be hanged, but she was acquitted. [Down to that time it was the most celebrated murder case in our courts, by poison.*] He was executed on the alms house farm, near Neshaminy creek, June 26, 1832, in the presence of 10,000 persons, including fourteen companies of volunteer infantry, and six of cavalry, of this and adjoining counties. The culprit was brought from the jail at half past nine o'clock, A.M., and with a priest and attendants, was conveyed to the place of execution in a Dearborn wagon, under the escort of the military. The troops formed around the gallows, when Mina, calm and collected, with Sheriff Morris and the priest ascended the platform. Having bidden adieu to his friends and thanked the sheriff for his kindness, the cap was drawn over his face, the fatal noose adjusted, and a little before twelve he was launched into eternity. His body was buried in the timber near by, but was taken up by the physicians and resuscitation tried in vain. Shortly before his execution, he made three attempts at suicide, twice by opening a vein in his arm, and once by swallowing glass. He broke jail once and came near escaping, but was arrested at the store of John O. James, in Hilltown township, by Mr. James and the late Dr. William S. Hendrie, of Doylestown. It is only within a few years that the identity of Mina had been established. His true name was Entrealgo, the son of Manuel Entrealgo, (22) and was born at Carthagena, South America, about 1809. The father, with three sons and two daughters, removed to Trinidad, in Cuba, about 1821-22, where he held the office of city-surveyor. He was an upright citizen, but the family was poor. Mina, the youngest son, was appointed constable of his district, but taking advantage of his office to rob the country people on their way to market, he was obliged to leave Cuba, and made his escape to the United States about 1824-25. He committed several offenses in this country, and was sent to the penitentiary, whence he was pardoned May 9, 1831, and the same evening he reached the residence of Dr. Chapman, (23) at Andalusia. (22) William Glasgow, of Warminster township, was acquainted with the family in Trinidad. (23) While her husband cured, or tried to cure, the stuttering proclivity of boys and young men, Mrs. Chapman was proprietor of the Andalusia Boarding School for "Young Ladies," at the Stone House, situated at the union of the Milford road with the Bristol turnpike, between twelve and thirteen miles from Philadelphia and one mile from the River Delaware, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Among her references are The Right Rev. Bishop White, Philadelphia, Rev. Alexander Boyd, Newtown, Pennsylvania, and John Philips, M.D., of Bristol, Pennsylvania. A son of Mr. Chapman was a student at Lafayette College, in 1847, but did not graduate; afterward learned dentistry and practiced in Philadelphia. His whereabouts, if living, is unknown. [The county has little mineral wealth. Iron ore was found early at Durham, where a furnace was erected, 1727, and, in recent years, it has been developed to some extent in Buckingham valley, where there are valuable deposits of limestone. Lime burning, in former years, was a great industry there. In 1760 there was some excitement from a rumor of the discovery of coal in Penn's Manor, and in 1776 two citizens offered to advance £100 to the Committee of Safety to pay the expense of searching for coal in the county. An inferior article of coal, and in small quantities, is to be found along Neshaminy in Warwick township. From the first appearance of white men on the Delaware we have a tradition of minerals along its banks. The Indians were supposed to know of the deposits of gold and silver, but there is no evidence these precious metals have ever been found in the county.*] [One of the most valuable products of the county is milk, including the articles of food manufactured from it. The creamery industry has grown to be a very heavy one of late years. Brief mention of it is made elsewhere, but its increase has been so marked a further reference seems necessary in connection with the agricultural wealth of the county. Prior to 1879 Bucks county had little knowledge of creamery methods, butter making being still in the hands of farmers' wives, the gravity system of raising cream being the only process then known. The first creamery company was organized at Quakertown, 1878, a charter obtained, buildings erected the following fall and spring, and the first milk received July 5th. Eli W. Strawn was president of the company and J. F. Clymer, treasurer. So radical and sudden a change, in the process of butter making, invited opposition and adverse criticism. The following year a similar plant was erected at Blooming Glen, Hilltown, and then at Pine Run and other places. From the beginning the number of creameries increased to 55 in the county. Improvements in butter making soon followed the first, being the Marquis cooling process, later Benner's, and then the Roberts' vat was introduced. Milk was allowed to stand 15-18 hours, then drawn off and made into skim cheese, the cream into butter. During the industry's infancy it was conducted almost wholly on the co-operative plan, Ð neighboring farmers owning and running the plant, but owing to bad management and loose methods many of them became more or less involved, dissatisfaction arose, the plants were sold and fell into the hands of individuals. The creamery industry now began to degenerate, and in a few years only seven in the county, out of 55, were run on the co-operative plan. While the farmers had charge of butter making there were almost as many grades of butter as makers. They were good, practical farmers but did not understand the new business they had engaged in.*] [The next improvement in butter making was the introduction of the centrifugal process of cream separation, which gradually came into use. This required a change in methods and products. The cream, as before, was converted into butter, skim milk into hard skim cheese, and, later, the skim milk was sold back to the farmer to feed their stock on. About this time a market was created for curd and smearcase for converting into Dutch cheese. Later there was a demand for these articles in Philadelphia and New York, large quantities being bought for smearcase and shipped in barrels; many hucksters and farmers having it put up in pound packages for city trade. Later several firms began making a new curd into a sizing used in the manufacture of a certain kind of paper. Previous to the introduction of the creamery system in eastern Pennsylvania there was no skim cheese made, nor market for it, yet, in a short time, the agents of the Philadelphia and New York commission houses made frequent trips through this section in the fall and winter to buy, solicit and contract for the different makes of cheese, for there were many grades. This section soon became the dumping-off place of many novices in cheese making, consequently New York cheeses and butter makers, out of emplo yment, came here and found steady employment at remunerative wages, some having little or no knowledge of the business. It is estimated that each of the 55 creameries in Bucks county, when that number were running, consumed 5,000 pounds of milk daily, being a daily consumption for the whole number of creameries of 275,000 pounds for each day they were running, or 100,375,000 pounds of milk in a year. Allowing that 100 pounds of milk are required to make five pounds of butter, the product of a year reached 5,000,000 pounds, a tremendous yield and great development from our dairies.*] [Among the societies, entitled to notice, none are more deserving than the Bucks County Medical Society and the Bucks County Historical Society, both unselfish in their work. The former was organized at Doylestown June 1, 1848, and its membership confined to "legally authorized physicians who do now, or hereafter may reside in Bucks County." They compose the active members, and others not in practice the honorary ones. Meanwhile a want of interest was felt in the society, but in 1885 there was a reorganization, and since then more life has been exhibited. The annual meeting takes place the first Wednesday in November, and the semi-annual in May; these, with a meeting the first Wednesday in February in the upper end, and the first Wednesday in August in the lower end of the county, makes up the gatherings of the society. The officers are a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, three medical examiners, and three censors, all elected by ballot, at the annual meeting, and hold office for one year. In 1886-89 there were 32 members. The meetings are held regularly. The 50th anniversary of the society's organization was celebrated at Doylestown Wednesday, November 2, 1898, with a large attendance of members, and a number of guests were present. They indulged in a good meal, and there were a number of short speeches, but no skeletons were exhibited.*] [The Bucks County Historical Society was organized 32 years later, the preliminary steps being taken January 21, 1880. That afternoon a meeting was held in the room of the Doylestown Library Company, Lenape building, the following persons being present: W. W. H. Davis, Josiah B. Smith, Henry C. Mercer, Alfred Paschall, Richard M. Lyman, John S. Bailey, Thomas C. Otter, George S. McDowell, Mahlon Carver, Dr. A. M. Dickie and Dr. Joseph B. Walter. The society was incorporated in 1885. For a few years meetings were held quarterly; then changed to semi-annual, and at present three times in the year, January, May and October. The mid-winter meeting, in January, is held in the beautiful court room, and the other two meetings at such places as may be agreed upon. For the present our home is in a room in the court house where we have our museum of curios. We have a membership of 600. In 1905 was completed the handsome and convenient building of the Society, which is represented by the accompanying engraving. The cost of erection was $18,000.*] (See illustration "New Home of Bucks County Historical Society.") [From its organization the society has been active in collecting local history and curios of various kinds, and in its museum are nearly 2,000 specimens; the most interesting feature being the "Tools of the Nation Maker," embracing implements of the cabin, field and forest used by the pioneers in founding Penn's colony. Among its work we take pleasure in enumerating its "Literary Collection," made up of papers read at the meetings on various historic subjects sufficient for two or three volumes of 500 pages each; an album of "Picturesque History," embracing a collection of over 200 pictures, the product of photographic art; an illustrated catalogue of 761 specimens of "Tools of the Nation Maker;" and pamphlets on "Light and Fire Making;" "The Survival of the Medieval Art of Illuminative Writing Among Pennsylvania Germans," and "Durham Stove Plates." In addition to the above work of the society it has erected the following memorials: Bronze tablets at Washington's headquarters, Keith House, Upper Makefield, immediately preceding the battle of Trenton, and at the Moland house on the York road near Hartsville, Warwick township; also Washington's headquarters, immediately preceding the battle of Brandywine, and at which both Lafayette and Count Pulaski reported for duty in the Continental army, in August, 1777; also monuments at "Washington's Crossing, Taylorsville, and to mark the starting point of the "Walking Purchase," Wrightstown. The Historical Society has taken its place as an educator with the public schools of the county.*] END OF CHAPTER LIV or XXV (1905 EDITION).