History of Vincent Township; Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives Dawn MacDonald [m0rningstarr@yahoo.com]

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                           VINCENT TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY
                                     PENNSYLVANIA

                           BY FREDERICK SHEEDER, MDCCXLVI

To the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

      with due Respect.

      I shall answer to Some of the questions of yours of Philadelphia January, 
1845 first a Sketch of part of the lines of Vincent Township in Chester County 
from the first proprietary What i give too much in detain you are at liberty to 
cut Shorter and if a miss in Spelling to rectify, as follows  The grant of Wm. 
Penn  Esqr. runs as follows, To all to whom these presents Shall com, greeting. 
Know ye that in consideration of the monies paid to the late proprietary William 
Penn Esqr. deceased at the making of the hereafter mentioned to Dr. Daniel Coxe 
there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Peter Hamond, John Ord, Wm. 
Hopkins, Richard Caper, Samuel Weaver, Anthony Merry and george Samuel Wigg a 
certain tract called East Vincent Scituate in Vincent Township in the County of 
Chester (reader you must recollect that this County and old Chester was one 
County) Beginning at a whiteoack on the bank of the River Schullkill thence 
along the line of the Township of Pikeland South fourty decrees west (I see no 
use of mentioning all the lines) and from the Township of Auckland to the River 
Schulkill North fourty decrees East and down the River Schulkill the Several 
courses to the place of begining 10,000 98½ acres which said tract of land is a 
part of thirty Thousand acres which the said late propriatary William Penn by 
his Seperate Deeds of feoffment all bearing date the 20th. April 1686 did grant 
to Sr. Mathew Vincent, Major Robert Thompson and the Said Daniel Coxe and the 
right of the Same Daniel Coxe, to the Said Ten thousand acres with the 
allowences or there abouts of divers conveyances and assurances in the Law 
became vested in the west New Jersey Society a warrant dated the 3th. November 
1774 issued from the land office at the instance of John Hunt the then Attorny 
in fact to Peter Hamond and others, a Commety of the Said Society for the 
Surveying lying of the part or Share of the Said large tract belonging to the 
Said Society in pursuance of which warrant and of a certain order of the board 
of property dated the 28th. of November last the above tract is returned into 
the office of the Secretary of the land office in order for confirmation by 
Patent to the Said Peter Hamond John Ord William Hopkins Richard Capper Sameel 
Weaver Anthony Merry and george Samuel Wigg in whom by indentures of lease and 
release dated the 17th, and 18th. days of December 1790 the Said tract of ten 
thousand 98½ acres of land and premises is vested in fee Simple to be Sold 
leased or otherwise disposed of &c and for which Said tract of land a patent 
dated the 5th. day of December 1791 was granted to the & & and State reserves, 
In Witness whereof Thomas Miffling governor of the Said Commonwealth hath Set 
hand and caused the State Seal to be hereunto affixed the 20th. day of June A.D. 
1792 and of the Commonwealth the 16 enroled 21th. 1792. The reader will be 
pleased to recolect that before this time no actual Settler had a Title of any 
of these 31 000 acres of land, if one Sold to an other person he could only Sell 
his improvements and at and from that time none could have a deed Some of the 
Settlers took leases and Some had prior ones and when that time the heirs of 
Penn presented their claim that frightened a good many of the Settlers so that 
they Sold their improvements and whent further back for fear they could not 
afford to pay twice for their lands  The Society however was very indulgent on 
the poscesers that Some did not discharge all to the Society from that time 
untill 1812 and got their deeds it had been a custom with them that none got a 
deed till all the monies were paid  This makes it somewhat difficult to git at 
all the names of those that i cannot name hereafter and you would be for having 
them If the Society capt a record or filed the leases as they obtained them from 
the Settlers i will direct you how to obtain them. Finius Bond was the last 
acting agent for the New west Jersy Society and the father of your general 
Cadwaleter was his Secretary I think if the general will he can assist you of 
obtaining them  F. Bond was a Son in Law of Esqr. More at Morehall place in 
Charleston township and general Cadwalleters grandmother was a daughter of Esqr. 
likwise  The Morehall place contained 700 acres of land then my father in law 
Nicholaus Haldeman did farm the place for Esqr. 7 years on Share and then bought 
himself a place a mile above Kimberton now, in the revolutionery war on which 
place he lived till he died the 15th. of January 1819 and the writer of this F. 
Sheeder was born in Sauerbroock germeney the 20th. February 1777 arrived at 
Philadelphia the 26th. November 1793 in the first yellow fever aloug with father 
mother brothers and sisters and came to this Township and lived here and been a 
constand inhabitant since the Spring 1800 and a constand observer of times 
passing on, there are but few persons living that were housekeepers then, Some 
places has changed owners till then and in fact there are two or parts of two 
tracts that the descendants of the first Settlers are in possession at this time 
of whome i Shall make mention hereafter in notation i shall then begin on the 
west side of French creek  They were chiefly from Wales with the exception of a 
few Schotch Irish, the first Settler on the place this Side Kimberton place, was 
Michal Taney and the first german that Settled on the west Side of frenchcreek 
and Amans place  Since 1794 the next place west of that, Thomas griffith he died 
and the widdow married William Braucallof of whom Paul Benner purchased and at 
present Abraham Benner third son of Paul Benner, is the proprietor of the 
greatest part of the tract Paul Benner devited his place to the three of his 
oldest sones his mention to Abraham, 50 acres to his son Jacob Benner who died 
in Phila. the time of the first fiver a mason and Bricklayer by trade and 67 
acres to John Benner who bought his brother Jacob out then had 107 acres on this 
tract Wm. Browall erected house and Barn and afterwards Sold the same to Paul 
Benner John Benner Sold this place to one Jacob Frederick in the year 1793 he 
came from Skipack; I Frederick builded a new end to the house and a new Barn 
with an overshoot as they termt then the stabling part of stone and the mows of 
log and when he had the neighbors to help raise Sain Barn he tould them that it 
was large enough to contain all that him Abraham Benner and my father in law 
could raise or produce Jacob Frederick sold 25 acres with the big Spring on to 
meet his first payment to Allen hammer a Son in law of P. Benner he is alive 
yet. The places at that time were Sold on payments without interests one quarter 
of the purchase money down and the rest in three equal payments and somestimes 4 
& 5 payments in the year 1816 the 25 acres was devited into 3 parts of tracts 
the owner then Allen Hammer sold of all to 6 acres and Samuel Hirsh got to be 
the owner and erected a dam below the Spring and erected a Sawmill S. Hirsh died 
and Abraham Buckwalter a millright by occupation became the owner in the year 
1830 and rebuilt said sawmill with a mashine Shop over head and a pair of 
Runners attached to the side of the same and erected other buildings and named 
it  Royal Spring, this is ¾ of a mile above Kimberton and in the corse of 1½ 
mile from this Spring there are glevenstinres mill Kimberton Mill and Clovermill 
and Paisess mill and Sawmill before it emptys into frenchcreek  The above Jacob 
Benners widdow died the later part of November 1845 at her residence in East 
Vincent eightyaught years of her age an I Frederick Sheeder in the year 1799 
purchased of Jacob Frederick and took posession the Spring following erected a 
Stome dwelling with Spring house and cellar under here i lived one year before i 
took a plow in my hand to plough never had ploughed a furrow before i made my 
livin at my trade tailoring (with respect) which i followeth thirty two years 
day and knight, this place was verry poor no man could make a livin on nothing 
but carlic and briers groweth on it and rough on account of Stones I took to 
liming a little and cleared the Stones off I plowed deep by which means i 
distroyed the carlic and briers which i could name here but will suspence with, 
told me that i was Spoiling my ground by ploughing so deep i made then answer 
that i could Spoil nothing of it for it was Spoiledf by ploughing too shallow 
and as to clearing the Stones off They told me that i would find myself obliged 
to haul them back again to make the ground bare here i lived 20 years but had 
Sold 43 acres of the place in 1804, to my father and brother henry, as i did not 
intend to make my liven by farming and knoweth nothing of it which the reader 
will perceive when i come to treat of where the first german Steel was made and 
the first round iron for bars and bolts for Ship use & & and in this time i 
improved my land and Sold of 20 acres more of it to John Bush a brother in Law 
of mine however in these 20 years there where not more than two years that i had 
not Carpenters and masons at work more or less in 1810 I erected an addition to 
the house three stories I privious had erected a wagon house at one end of the 
barn that contained as much as a mow of the Barn Jacob Frederick while he lived 
on it 12 years all the grain he could raise was for Six months bread and at 
Newyears time he had to buy hay and straw, 1812 in the winter the Snow a foot 
deep on the roofs and the mows toned to the peak of the roofs and not all in, 
the rats made 9 holes in the roof to lick Snow now thinks i to put a new roof on 
and to build a new end to contain all i raise, will cost me as much as an new 
barn So i tore all away this Summer and erected a double decker that is two 
floors over head of an other and when the masons had Scaffled to Start the gable 
ends and took a drink at the South western corner (this was the first of that 
kind they had ever worked at before) they took a  look over the wall down inside 
and they Shuddered as to the hight, I been on the scafile at the corner opposed 
them and one of them called over to me ignominiously Sheeder do you intent to 
fill this Barn, my reply was yes I expected So prividing i would keep my health  
The thirth year after i filled it to the peak of the roof i use to hear my 
Neighbours say when 2 or 3 been walking along the road when i was spreading 
lime, ha they use to say what a fool Sheeder is to throw his money away  They 
had in one sense good reason to say so for they knoweth well that i had none to 
Spare for when i purchased i had $100 to pay towards the first payment i had 
Borroweth it for same certain purpose and had offered to pay it back 2 years 
before then but the person would not receive it until Shee would come to want 
money once i had no debts and had Some money to buy Stock and here i lived 3 
years and had to borrow to pay the interests above i made mention of living here 
20 years and erected all new builtings and that all of Stone and all my land i 
made new to yield to abundence and was as clear and clean as a garden and along 
the woods i got ditchis made and the ground bore better were before nothing 
grew. Some of my neighbors that use to make sport of me throwing my money away 
in lime use to Say in reaping time (that time when all winder grain was reaped) 
ha they use to say I, can raise as good grain as those that limes and some years 
afterwards they changed their language by saying Sheeder i must lime to for i 
cannot rais any grain no more, and when i came to handle the plow i soon found 
fault with them the beams being too long. The mouldboards of wood and not high 
anough and land sides too low the thirth year i bespoke a new plow and ordered 
Short beam high mould board and landside but not yet to please me in 2 years 
after i got an other new one made, this wase nearer to my direction as the first 
one yet not to my satisfaction the horsies had to labour too hard got Strong 
Sheetiron roded to lay over the mould board and landslide after this was worn 
out i got an other one made Still Shorter beam and higher mouldboard and applied 
Sheetiron as before and use to talk to the black smiths and wheel wrights about 
to make them of iron from hinch the iron mouldboards and landsides altho i 
understand a wheelright in Jersy claims to be the inventor of them there was no 
building wanting at the end of the above mentioned 20 years as a new hog house I 
in the Spring 1820 moved on my father in Law's place N. Haldeman adjoining mine 
and the Amans place, of which i shal treat more in rotation of Nicholas 
Haldeman's Deceased's place, John Lewis's place adjoining A. Benners was first 
settled by one John Meridith of whom John Lewis purchased his right and is in 
possession of the widdow Esterof John Lewis Ser. deceased and heirs, on this 
place are rich bead of Iron ore and the pit in operation on this place stood 
once a large yellow peach tree that bore fruth 80 years and an Indian village  
William Fussels place now as John Lewis has sold part of his place Jonathon 
Thomas his son in Law and became Fussels place now, where the line of the 2 
places crosses a coppy of woos at the uper end of the meddow of and on a rising 
a Copy of woods there where the line ans Frederick Rhodwaldts cropse crosses 
where i counted 25 mounts and holes which was their burial place and some on 
Fussels side are ploughed over and leveled with Surface and Some Say that they 
have often heard the indian yell, Jesse Meridith living now above Pughtown says 
that his grandfather took up this place in 1712 his great great grandfather had 
bought the property were Jesse now lives 300 them for £45:00:00 his son John 
owned the above mentioned property of Lewises that he at times lived with his 
son and some times on this Covantry place but died with his Son a member of the 
valley Church and was buried there in....John Meridith willed the place now 
Christian Fridays to his son Enoch and after him came into the hands of Lewis's 
now before going back to Vincent i shall describe all Jesse Meredith related 
Samuel Savage and heirs first Settled on the place now John Young Samuel Nutt 
erected the first iron works along french creek above george Christman's dam in 
Covantry Now return to Vincent again to the south western corner of vincent old 
georg Derry's placeis occupied by the heirs at the present time he been born in 
Pikeland on the place for a number of years Shumans place on this place the 
Ridge and Schulkill roads fork g. Deery his father was the first Settler on that 
place deery when 16 years old bought this, the corner place of Vincent adjoining 
Friday's place the man he purchased of whent by the name of the old walsh man 
John Thomas, was the name who was the father of the farmer Benjamin Thomas who 
erected the mill this side of Kimberton, had but one leg, him been the first 
Settler I now preseed as proposed towards french creek again Jonas Lindeman had 
taken up a large tract here but cannot define the lines of the difrent owners at 
the present time old Robert Ralstons place was first Settled by umphry Bell here 
Judge John Ralston was born his father Served as a member in the Assembly came 
from Irland been a member of the vally Church died about the year 1805 and lays 
burried in that grave yard and the Judge his sone and wife 20 years hence of 
whom I Shall speak more when i came to treat if General Washington leving the 
yellow Springs for Reading I here Shall remark an anecdote the old gentleman 
generally made use of, was if a man had done Some work for him called to receive 
his pay made an excuse Saying that if it was not for Such purpose or cause that 
he wanted for, the old gentleman replyd i ow it to you and will pay you its no 
difrence what you do with it, to me if you feed your geese with it he being at 
the time of his death one of my nearest Neighbours in an advanced age of 90 od 
years Said Robert Ralston purchased his place when came to this country of one 
by the name of John Thomas him being the first Settler thereon, John griffith 
was the first settler on David Rood's place now adjoining french creek which 
John Melbin about the year 1736 bought of Said J griffith and sols 2 tracts one 
to Conrad Selner 94 acres which my father in law Nicholas Haldeman bought the 
lease of in the Revolutionary war then a Tenant under J Moor Esqr. at moorhall 
place then seven hundred acres likely i shall say more of Esqr. Moor when come 
to make mention of how the Vincent lands were Deadet(sic). The other tract 
Melbin sold to Henry Knerr Now William yeager John Melbin died and his son in 
law Edward Bell became the owner and Sold to Jacob Andrew in the year 1794 and 
J. Andrew Sold to Sebastian Root the father of David Root the present owner by 
will adjoining french creek next place adjoining along Said creek old Henry 
Knerr bought of Thomas Balman who been the first settler lived and died an old 
age and willed to his third Son Abraham and he died a pirty aged man and the 
place Sold a year hence and was purchased by John John and occupice the same 
Henry Knerr came to this country from germany Sometime when young served his 
Time with Conrad Selner that N. Haldeman purchased of and larned the weaving 
trade of which he paidmuch attention to in his time N. B. Roraback Knerr bought 
of Roraback got the same of T. Badman--here frencj creek makes the greatest bend 
in its corse runs around tow of its Sides the next place along french creek 
South of Brasons Road the first Settler John Batman brother of the former of 
whom John Willson bought from Ireland came to Settle here when his Son Thomas 
was 4 years old which is 83 years now its 20 years past he died and his age was 
87 and his Sons Thomas and John are owners by will of the Same all members of 
the valley church and buiry thier Aprill 17th 1845 was the Cenetary of its 
hundreth year its cal;ed St. Peter's Church in the great Vally in the Township 
of Trediffrin a walsh term which signifies Town in the Vally or Vally Town 
Millers place old Phillip bouhjt of John Davis the first Settler he had Sold 
once and moved abck but Some time after returned and repurchased it again and 
after his decease 4 Sons diveted into 5 Shares of which the widdow hel the one 
fifth and erected new buildings were She lived to be an aged Womman with 2 
daughters and one Son with her and after her decease all the sons but the 
youngest the 3 Sisters hold all the land but one Share but Since the decease of 
their mother they became verry Superstions with Teaching among themselves never 
to die Some years hence John who lived with the 2 Sisters died and when Joseph 
the youngest Son whent to git a neighbor to assist in laying out the corps 
Joseph burst out Saying that John would not had died but he had fell asleep and 
the devil had by that Means cauth him Not long Since Joseph had expresed himself 
to an neighbor of his that he would be dammed if he ever would die This family 
has been accused for Setting Pikeland Church on fire and was burned down and had 
their trial bur escaped of conviction Strange to relate their parents Strickt 
church people and the girls not missing to attent once either lutheran or 
prespeteren service and after their parents decease turned to this State of 
Situation their parents been So attached to the church that before the 
Revolution before the St. Zions Church of which they beem members was build but 
in the process of being build their oldest daughter died with the Smakk box was 
buried near the church and 3 years after when the church was built and the 
intended graveyard Surrounted by wall The took her up and rebuirried her insid 
of the wall; more thereof when i come to treat about churches & & next Robert 
Watkins place whereon the Indian graves of which is made mention above The 
present John Thomas his great grandfather John Thomas was the first Settler 
thereon and now Frederick Rohdewalt's place and the father of the late Robert 
Watkin owned the place adjoining the last mentioned place which came to be the 
property of the late Judge Ralston Son of Robert when got married and lived 
thereon till 20 years Since was the Sole heir to his fathers estate and when 
died had provited for all his 4 older sons Robert, William & James and John the 
youngest george living with him at his decease became the owner of the place of 
which Robert Watkin the brother of all was the first Settler Next place to 
formerly Owens now Stauffers and Haldeman a Son in law of the former Then are 2 
places Orners and Keeley's now that i was not able to find out the first 
settlers of, them aling the time of Pikeland leving the Springs to the right Dr. 
Isaac Davis's place now, formerly on 40 years hence John Cloyds but first 
settled by Jacob Hinters on the uper corner along the Spring Road Stands the 
Babtists meeting house formerly a log building but now a Stone edifice 70 years 
Since Mr. Thomas some say Joshua Walker was the officiate and for many years 
since The Rev. Charles More This place forms the corner of upper & lower or East 
and west Vincent according to the old devition but now all west vincent from 
there the line run throug my hill place formerly John youngs John David the 
first Settler And through my dam about 20 perches above the brest of my dam to 
the river Schulkill The next place above joining the before mentioned Robert 
Ralstons now was first Settled by the father of Major John Evans the former 
propretor the first Settler of Joseph Kolb's placed, deceased formerly John 
Evans the former, his father bought of one John Lewis he being the first Settler 
how long hence for both the Evanses got to live and got to be old men thereon 
Morris Evans the first Settleradjoining this place now Isaac & Nathan Hawkes 
place and had their meeting house and grave yard on the ground that became Judge 
John Ralstons place the members dispersed and Ralston moved ir across the road 
and made a Tenant hous of and is occupied as such to this day but the graves are 
left undisturbed by the occupants; next Reas Barbors place now but first Settled 
by Caspar Himes next place Daniel Wedner now old Nicholas grund an old 
revolutioner N. grund bought of one John Martin first owner him being the first 
Settler thereon James Wilsons place now was first Settled by J. Hencock hw Sold 
to Hugh Strickland all members of the Valley church and rest their encock from 
england and Strickland from ireland who was the grandfather of Nimrod Strickland 
Esqr. at West Chester now, H. Strickland died 45 Since now the place of John 
Shuler at the mouth of Birch run. birdch run derives its name as the chief of 
the Timber growing along the Same was birdch this place was first taken up and 
Settled by garrit Vrumback of whom i shall treat more largely in its turn 
Frederick Bingaman The father of the late old Frederyck a mill right by trade 
erected the first saw mill that was erected in this neighborhood and in his time 
addet a grist mill yo but this time nothing to be Seen as part of the hole were 
the building Stood but head and tail ranes more visible this is at the month of 
birdch run in the year 1794 I been Several times in their was one pair of 
runners in to Jap on the dwelling was all under one Roof Adam Miller the father 
of his oldest son John then the owner who got the Same by will of his father 
John Miller was or had been a brother in law of mine run cheafly through with 
the property Sold the Same to Judge John Ralston a brother in law of his Ralston 
erected all new buildings and put his second son on and after the decease of the 
Judge William capt it at the appraismnt This place and the place the writer 
lives on join downch creek and from french Creek up the hill Sout 31 West 125 
along my what we call the hill place of which I Shall treat more distinct in its 
turn Birdch run runs about the above corse till where the two branches meet  
Rhis Valley of birdch run is termed here and called the hallow incline all the 
lands each Side run to the head on the left up the Stream the assenting is 
chiefly Timber land at this time and on the right cheaffly clear and cultivated 
and considerable buildings there are in the corse of not more than 2 miles 4 
cristmills 4 Saw mills one oil mill and one tilt and the best Seat that of John 
Sheelers vacant a great part of this Timber land belonged to grunds and Caspar 
Himes places and between grund and Michal Kolb a difficult law suit had taken 
place about the year 1805 concerning the water that is were the oil and Sawmill 
is now the property of Auengrater and in the direction of where the branches 
meet birdch run Schoolhouse where the Township of West Vincent elections are 
held Since the last devition and of nearly all the lands to the right of Said 
run to the head of the Jinkins family and its hard to relate that none of that 
large family once hold a foot of land at this time as where their corpses lay it 
all whent down their troughts in liquor. The property of the present John Thomas 
& others the first Settler thereof was Caspar Hines adjoining the before 
mentioned James Wilson Morris Evans the first Settler on the place now Isaac 
Nathan Hawks now own of which i have made mention above one John Lewis the first 
Settler of the late Joseph Kolbs place the father of the late John Evans 
deceased father bought of J. Lewis, Robert Ralstons place now i could not git to 
trace any further back as John Evans Major his father this John was called Major 
as he had held that office in the militia for many years And the other John 
Evans been joining place was called J. E. the former old Henry Benner the 
brother of Paul Benner of the uppermost corner of Vincent Henry Stitlers now a 
Sn in law of the youngest son Henry Benner his name been Henry; general Benner 
the Iron master about Silisgrove Been an Son of this H. Benner. Jacob Volgress 
the first Settler on this place now called John Woodwards Information of John 
Thomas 90 years old now was brought on the place wjere he now resides by his 
parents 84 years ago from Wales when 2 years old and lives in the first house 
that was put up Says that he served out 3 Companies in the Revolution and that 
in the battle of Whitemarsh general irving was wounded; when i called on him 
James Thomas Evan Evans of East Nantmil told me that he had been with him and 
had taken down all the perticulars that he knew of, but gave me the following 
perticulars of the Surrounding neighborhood of who the first Settlers had been 
David Thomas the first Settler on old Jacob Hellelfengers place were him and his 
Son Lewis deceased now Panneneckers place David Jinkins the first owner of the 
place where John Heffelfenger died, the Second Son of Jacob and John his Son the 
owner on this place the grave yard is, and Hiffilfenger Surrounted with a Stone 
wall the said David Thomas been the owner of a large tract and that of Isaac 
Miller and John Pauls now John Mcfarlinh was the first owner of all that is now 
Wm. Brumbach's and John Swinehard's places David Jinkins was the owner of large 
tracts of land and being Supervisor of the poor he had to burry the last 
remaining Indian when died on my hill place of which i shall say more in its 
turn there had been but two german families Settled in west Vincent when the 
informant was vrought here Phaelix Christmann and Christian Everbart Phaelix 
devited his place to his two Sons John and george the had no male issue but 7 
female and the widdow lives on this place and Daniel a son of John the owner of 
his fathers place and one .... Wagonman the first Settler on the lands of 
Everharts, he.... Wagonman the first Settler died without male issue and 
Christian Everhard married the widdow who was the grandfather of Wm. Everhart 
Esqr. at West Chester Christian left the places to 2 sons James and Benjamin 
James deceased and Benjamin alife at present, now the place of Wm. Huston was 
owned many years by an german by the name of Jacob Ellis but left no male issue 
on this place Thomas Watkins was the first Settler on this place David Jinkins 
brought the above indian and buried him and this is the place that the divition 
line of the old divition before mentioned runs through my dam to Schulkill on 
this place was the villiage of a number of indians about fourty perches from 
french creek in a hollow formed of high banks on three sides and thr fronts 
towards the Creek level with but little Slope Secured for against S.E. S.W. and 
N.E. winds and A. Millers olace adjoining this Mother Miller a Midwife used to 
be called to deliver and when com home She nae to tell her family how the father 
of the child use to go and bring a handfull of roots and rubbed the infant with 
and when these indians left the oldest of them not liking to go and wile lived 
here whent to the neighboring houses to git Something to eat and when he was 
asked why he had not gone wit his people he replyd that he wished to live as 
long as he could and that he had known that he could not reach the destiny and 
that they would to had killed him on the road  This is the indian above 
mentioned that D. Jinkins had to buirry Some years after John David had Settled 
himself on this place and had erected Some kind of buildings and had clewared 
some ground to farm he obtained a lease of the proprietaries Thomas and Richard 
their attornies Richard Peters and Linford Lardner their agents for that purpose 
the 19th day of February 1746 for thee years; David was a miller by trade and 
erected a grist mill at bridge run where now the tilt is 53 years ago was a 
powdermill on that place i was then in and bought a pound of powder one Erdman 
was then carrying on the business in 1758 John David conveyed around the dam of 
now mine a certain tract of land and in the year 1776 conveyed the remainder of 
his place to John young, the father of the old John young now near govantry 
forge george Christman's now which was 44 years before John young got a title of 
the west Jersy Society now i am Sitting writing in my mansion on the East Side 
french creek having the above discribed place in sight; This my place was first 
Settled by one Samuel Bowen But will leve this subject and return to east 
Vincent again. The Vincent lands before Seated, where Called Callowhill mannor. 
In the year 1827 I Frederick Sheeder bought this hill place as we called, of 
John young and erected New house and barn and improved the Same otherwise on 
this place are good iron oar but not in operation and has all appearance of 
limestone the french creek devids these two places the hill place in the west 
and this the Papermill place in East Vincent of which i shall give a more 
perticular discription in detail in its turn I have to turn towards the uper end 
of West Vincent as i excipt making mention of Some places the place at present 
occupied by Joseph Davis at the concstoco pike between Christman's places and 
formerly Ludwigs Tavern, the first Settler of that was one Mr. ___ John the 
grandfather of Jona John now on old Knerrs place there are some miner tracts 
that i have no information of, now I will proseed to Kimberton farm was first 
Settled by one Parker of whom g. Christman bought altho in Pikeland the line of 
vincent and Pikeland runs through that farm its likely in my corse i Shall give 
you the name of the person of whom you can obtain a Scheme Sketch of Kimberton 
this my Residence and Reinhards factorys; down Royal Spring Stream emties in 
french creek at Clement Rentgen's deceased till were he use to factor the round 
iron opposed that is the large farm now Alexander Caneday, East Vincent Umphry 
Lloyd was the first Settler on this place where french creek runs along the line 
of 2 sides to the left whereas the creek runs to the right 2 sides of John 
John's place above discribed umphry Lloyd came from Wales and old age had but 
one Son John who kept the place till died of old age John lived till much 
advances in years then took a wife got 2 Sons who had been miners at the decease 
of their father and when came on age to take charge of the property not been 
brought up to work Soon run through with, this is one of the handsomest farms in 
the Township, now I proceed up the creek to the Lyles place Joseph Rogers the 
grandfather of Wm. Rogers Esqr. the late high Sherriff of Chester County and 
Justice of the peace, and of James Rogers at Springville came from ireland and 
Settled this place first and indians had wigwombs in and around the bank where 
he erected his buildings addet more cave in Said bank for his Negro Slaves to 
live in and in the meantime he had a Sone growing up and use to rassel with the 
indians of which play they had been very fond--further ahead you will find it 
Stated that its 126 years Since this took place  Jonathan Rogers one of the Sons 
of Joseph hel the largest part of the large tract and died on the Same in the 
year 1792 Jonathan Sold to the Pottses and Hopert 50 acres the lower part of the 
place along the creek to erect a Slitting mill and a forge to make germen Steel, 
of this i Shall treat more largely hereafter and of the time when I with my 
parents and others came to this country next comes Henry Yeager's place now 
joining french creek the Father in law of old Henry Knerr by the name of Henry 
Miller was the first Settler on this place by whos death H. Knerr became the 
heir of it and he left it by will to his oldest Son but one Henry Knerr that 
kept the middle ferry had been the oldest son Jacob Knerr after his decease H. 
yeager became theowner of the next place joining french creek the creek divides 
this and John John's are a Christ mill and Sawmill 2 dwelling hous called 
Christman's Schoolhouse and mills the present owner was willed to by his father 
Henry Christman deceased the farm house and 2 Stone houses and large Barn with 
other buildings Stand on a rising about 50 perchis from the works the mill and 
out buildings the present proprietor erected, This place was first Settled by 
the before mentioned Paul Brenner who was a Son in law of garrit Brumback of 
whome I have to give a detailed describing of in its turn of whome old John 
Hause purchased which is hard on 30 years and erected permanent buildings in his 
time and died old age next place up french creek the present proprietor george 
Christman youngest Son of Henry and brother of the former the old gentleman 
along with his brother george that afterwards became the owner of Kimberton 
place, purchased this property when young men of the first Settler Thomas 
Brawall brother  of Wm. that Paul Benner had bought of after Henry C. and g. 
lived on this place george here is a lately erected roofed bridge across french 
creek, Sold his Share to his brother Henry and purchased the Kimberton farm then 
on to 300 acres Henry Turned everything to advantage and prospered left places 
to all his children but one, and She got hers in cash, on this place is an 
indian grave close to the fence that has head and foot stone which i have 
reviewed, next to this along the creek id Andrew Bussert now, which old Adam 
Miller willed to his Second Son Conrad but could not keep it like his brother 
John was sold for him about the year 1817 on account being encumbered, next to 
that is the place I, F. Sheeder reside on, this place was first Settled by 
Samuel Bowen who erected a crist mill and Sawmill then none in the parts around 
for 20 miles and after the decease of Said S. Bowen george and Mirie David two 
brothers bought the property then containing 200 acres and better it appears 
that Bowen Sold a lot off at the upper end which is now the property of the 
widdow Shuler who had been the wife of the late Wm. Shuler, the said g. and 
Mirie David put everything in repair and in compleaded order and the mill not 
being Spacious for the acquirement of the business, they erected a new mill the 
one here was then of hewn logs but they erected a large Stone mill house of 
three Story high over and around the one that was and wile this was in progress 
the Millrights had to have all their work rady to clap in as soon as the roof 
beam on the new millhouse and as Soon as the roof was on the old house and 
geering was tore out and the new put in In three days time for the mill to run 
again on account of the throng of the business and Some years after Mirie Sold 
his Share to his brother george and he took up the place next above this 
something like 300 acres and erected a forge. Some number of years after he 
became indebted and this property was Sold by the Sherriff i must return back to 
this place of mine before proseeding on of Mirie David, John David on the hill 
place of which a discribtion is above given was a thirth brother they had all 
been millers by trade they had been brought up to that by thier father thier 
father owned the property that is at this time called Millers factory in 
Covantry, tho John had been Small of person and lame he got to larn the ailoring 
trade and whent by the name wile living on the hill place hopping Tailor or 
little John, george Secured all the water right to his works and 12 years after 
John had been the possesor of the hill place he conveyed a small triangle to 
george at the upper end at the dam which is now 88 years past, the writing for 
that purpose been Signed the Ninth day of August 1758. After the decease of 
george David old Jacob Keeley the father of the last deceased Jacob deceased 
purchased the property and repaired. The information of the erecting of the 
before mentioned mill house & & i obtained of old James John ten years ago 
Shortly before his decease i been with him twice Seeing him and in our 
conversation he tould me that this had been the place that he had been Sent to 
mill when he was a boy and that then the new mill was built and the 
circumstances as related above and he counted up the years from then and Said 
that it was 82 years than I had been asking Joshua Hause once when he had that 
mill torn away to erect the present papermill as i got my Sawing done here i had 
been building the barn on the hill then, If he could discover anything about the 
old mill how long it had been build and he Said that there had been a date at 
one of the gable ends and that according to that date it had been build 81 years 
for me asking him that question was that in the winder of 1793 nad 1794 I the 
first time came past her to go to Brumbachs church It appeared to me then to be 
an old building and the walls cracked much however to return to Jacob Keeley 
Repairing everything of a new he addit new buildings a pullingmill and gun 
factory and a new stone house and kept then a public house in he got an daughter 
married to a Batman he then put an addition to for Batman to keep store every 
thing was prospering with him he erected a bridge accross french creek here on 
his own expence. The forage Magazine was here the time the Army lay at Valley 
Forge and its Said that there is a connon buirried here that g. Washington had 
ordered to be Spiked and buirried when he left the parts; J.K. had a Team going 
continually hauling for the army. Jacob Keeley died the day of the battle of 
germantown 69 years ago his widdow Elizabeth She lived here 30 od years after 
his decease her Son Jacob Keeley took possession as heirs and he did not injoy 
the property long in 2 or 3 years him and wife died not fare appart Some of the 
heirs took it at the appraisement but Sold the same to Wm. Sahler in 1816 Sahler 
possessed it a copple of years and was Sold out by the Shirriff the heirs bought 
it but could not hold it assigners were choosen they divited it in two tracts 84 
acres to the Mill and 71 Acres to the Tavern the Township election has allway 
been here within 6 years and the general Election, is no Tavern nor election 
held here at present I have a building in progress for Lycium and School and 
when finished will be dwelling for 2 more familys here as are now 6 family's 
here 34 personsan engreas in the Spring of 12 persons more; The assigners had 
not been able to tell them the Shirriff Sold the mill tract in 1819 and Daniel 
Hause purchased it and put his Son Joshua here and in 1825 Conveyed it to Joshua 
and he conveyed it to Frederick Sheeder the present proprietor in 1832 and Since 
then have been continually at building and repairing in the year 1821 the dam 
whent away and was kept up but temporally till 1838 built a permanent one the 
house i live in i erected in 1840 i erected a new barn that has 20 thousand 
Shingles on its roof a year or two after i had put in a permanent dam the 
property next above came into new hands made clame for damages to pay for the 
property that they had bought too high the damages been laid at 2500 dollars and 
the gentleman was awarted i cent damage and $100.00 for the time to com and 
after that was paid It was discovered that the dam was not within a foot as high 
as the former dams had been, Here i must relate an anecdote in the year of 1833 
when this my mansion was under roof living then in the old house a gentleman 
from Connecticut called on me to Subscribe for a book Whitefields life and 
Sermons i did so and he loged over knight with me and in the conversation we had 
after Supper he Said that if any person had tould him that the State of 
Pennsylvania was Such a country as he had found it to be he would not have 
believed it I put the question wy, his answer was, we call your Corn Stocks 
Sabling and your houses pallases; I must proceed to the next place Conrad Bode 
15 years hence came from germany bought the Seventy one acres of the assigners 
and Sold 14 acres with the part of the buildings the new part of the house and 
part of the Stabling he moved across the new road and erected a house and barn 
where he at present resides; of the next place above this i made mention who was 
the first Settler was last fall it has been Sold by assinement in  two tracts 
and 2 fields not Sold is nothing in opporation but i belive the oil mill there 
is a limestone quarry on this place the next above that is David Marys but 
cheafly of the forge place the next above that is the Borthalets place 3 farms 
with Christ and Sawmill on the Smallest tract Samuel Borthalet purchased it 
Second hanted after the decease of -- Root and its Suposed that W. Root was the 
first Settler on the same The next place John Buchard formerly John Titlow and 
its Suposed that, That family been the first Settlers, Next is Pughtown James 
Pugh took up then this along with Tonnsend's place all in one is a large tract 
of land a good part has been Sold out in town lots and houses are going on brisk 
2 Stores a Tanary a Temprance hotel a Schoolhouse a permenent Stone bridge 
across the creek mill and Sawmill; am in Covantry now but will soon return to 
Vincent again as i understood of Dr. St. Meredith that he could not comply to 
his letter he had received of the Society, Samuel Nutt erected the first 
ironworks at Covantry ville. The next place above Pughtown Jesse Meredith Says 
that his great grandfather took up that place 300 acres in 1712 and did pay 
£45:00:00 noe i turn back to Vincent again to the place this Side of Pughtown, 
Frederick Lehr's place a germen of late years but Jacob Mundshauer a Swiss, I 
shall Say more of this Jacob when i com to treat of Reinhards place, the first 
Settlerwas held by the family till whithin 12 years hence Jacob M. was a Stone 
mason by trade and one of his Sons, John had learned the blacksmith trade he 
whent to Lancaster to work Jurney work and he worket there the time the Baxten 
boys first came to Lancaster to distroy the town, they baxten boys took his 
Sledge out of the Shop for him he John returned home again and worket for 
himself. He was the first Smith that put hups on wagon wheels in these parts of 
the country this information i dirived of a grand son of his, he is now called 
old Jacob Mundshauer; if translated in english a person that looks into an 
others mouth the next place to the right hand of the Pughtown road was first 
Settled and buildings erected one Alhannah John after him old Phillip Miller 
became the owner and after his decease it had a copple of owners and the widdow 
and heirs of the late Christian Funk are the owners and reside thereon this is 
now reversing the corse first i went up the creek now i come back or down but on 
the right of Bransons road on Kimberton and Pughtown road and between that and 
the Ridge road in East vincent, next place is John green's formarly Abraham 
Beidler but for many years george Hubner and it is supposed that. That family 
been the first Settlers next are 64 acres that F. Sheeder owns now no buildings 
on, formerly belonging to that place next the Widdow Maureys former owner george 
Sneider which if translated is Tailor, next place is Jacob Cristman's the Second 
Son of Henry deceased which place was first Settled by  one Phillip Thomas this 
place joins mine and the lands of garrit Brumback's in whos behalf i have to 
treat largly in its turn. P. Thomas and g. Brumback been two of the first 
Settlers in that part of the Township Thomas a Seven day adventist and Brumback 
a calvinist Masle Tomas a Son of his was owner for many years after the decease 
of his father and after the decease of Masle none of his Sons could hold it and 
on its place stood a large peach tree that brought sound fruit 80 years George 
Christman and others have heard Penina Meerakin a Sister of Masle's often relate 
it to them this Penina Mc. Crakin had part of her fathers place here her father 
erected house and barn for her and both are occupied the boards on the floor are 
pinned down 2 story high, and Since her decease as She had no heir as her 
brother's children it came into other hands and devited into three parts William 
Wilson holds the part where the buildings are on now i have to go down and begin 
at the Pikeland line and come up to the right of the Ridge road at Henry Bush 
his place formarly and for many years the ormy's place and its Supposed that 
John the grandfather of the present ormeys had been the first Settler perhaps 
100 years ago he was born 1718 and died 1790 next Henry Hippel's deceased place 
in the hands of his children Thomas Snider was the first Settler of this place 
Henry Hippel Married his dauther and became the owner Thomas was born 1716 and 
died 1782 aged 66 years on this is the first house standing with additions addet 
to build of log and the first part built is good at this time and is the main 
room I was in it to view it for this purpose. Henry Hippel was born 1759 died 
1843 age 84 years, on the most east westerly corner of this place in the corner 
below the Ridge road a long the line of formarly Henry Millers place Stands the 
monument of Revolutionaries of which i Shall give a full describrion of in its 
turn when i com to treat of g. Washingtons incampment at the Springs and his 
first night in quartering which was here, the hill church Stands on the top 
level in the corner of this place on this ridge on his way to Reading; the next 
is Wm. Rogers Esqr. and late Sherriff of Chester County; which is part of old 
Joseph Bassler's place the Ridge road passing through by the tenements old 
Bassler its believed was the first Settler on this place joings Wm. 
grandfather's place, and now begin the different places till part Brumback 
Church on the left of the Ridge road when i come to treat of the churches I 
Shall then give the particulars in detail now crossing the road a distance above 
the church then the revers course first Isaac younblod's place then the Poseys 
place Edward Brumback's place The great, grandfather of Said Edward was the 
first Settler here garrit Brumback came from germany when but one house Stood 
where germantown now Stands he tarried a wile about there and came up here took 
up 1000 acres and erected buildings and the first house was of log all split 
with the wip saw and about four years past Edward tore it away and erected a 
Stone house in the place and now lives in, garrit as soon he had erected 
builting he capt Tavern in and there was an Indian village about 50 or 60 
perchis where the roads now crosses, Pottsgrove and Schullkill roads (and a new 
meeting house now Stands) of 300 Souls and garrit got them under his commant 
they helpet him to work and got provition in return, gearhard to had to Set down 
with them and Smoke a pipe of tobacco and rassel with them this pleased them 
much and they Sang war Songs for him his time he had to go to the Valley forge 
10 mile to git his plough irons Sharpened and carried one on each Side of his 
horse, this was the first public house kept in these parts that he kept. The 
indians had been verry fond of potatos Turnips and especially milk i could 
mention the lines of this tract, but takes too much time.


      End of Part the First

      EAST VINCENT TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY
      PENNSYLVANIA

      BY FREDERICK SHEEDER, MDCCXLVI

      Part the Second


      Garrit had other farms that he in his will willed to Son in law's of his, 
but these 1000 acres he willed cheafly to his Sons, as his Sons came to manhood 
he placed them on certain tracts, for his oldes son he erected the tavern on the 
Ridge road and put him their, his house that he erected is from that on the 
Pottsgrove road, Benjamin his oldest son, for him he erected this to keep tavern 
in and did so, has of late been Wm. Whitby's, Served a tour in the revolution, 
the widdow he left was murdered and robbet one knight 10 years since, they 
murderer never discovered. This tract, the before mentioned 1000 acres, are now 
devited and contain 13 farms with the necessary buildings, 21 lots with 
buildings thereon of from 5 to 30 acres, the church lot and graveyard and the 
new meeting house lot and the cheafest part of owned by grand and greatgrand 
children. I consider it wast time to give a description of all these places and 
persons residing and had from time to time part of the above described property 
is in Covantry and part in East Vincent. Garrit has no grave Stone to See when 
he died or when born, but the date of his will is 1757 say he been 60 years old 
when deceased and 23 years old when he came to live here and alow him to died in 
1759 will be on 90 years that he Settled here. Now o prpsced down the Ridge 
road--their are several farms that been owned by the old Millers and old Ackers 
they been considered to had been the first Settlers thereon likewise the old 
Sniders place, now i will prosced up Schilkill road and River--widdow Francis 
place i scipt in my cours here was g. Washingtons' first nights loging when he 
left the Springs. Peter Defracine the first Settler, after him the Millers 
place, for many years old Nicholas Snider's. Zions church stands near to the 
line of is considered to been the first Settler of late the property of James 
Wells deceased---one Heavener built the first mill on Stony Run and is Supposed 
to been the first Settler on that place for many years ortlips mills for many 
years george Rok was the first Settler on old Jacob Finkbins place now Michal 
Towers and John Ash the later a Son in law, John Roads his father is supposed to 
have been the first Settler thereon now Dr. F. W. Hechels  the meeting house 
that has allways whent by the name of Rohd's is meeting house this meeting house 
was built 1750 the old germans nearly all in the neighborhood church and meeting 
folks burried on this graveyard Adam Miller that died on John Shuler's place was 
burried here before the revolution Henry Heffilfinger the father of old Jacob of 
which is made mention before, was Burried here 1790 his place was adjoining this 
place of the late James Ralston's place son of the late Judge Ralston old John 
Wagner old Laurane Hippel in the year 1785 old John & Heny Rohds Nicholas Miller 
and other old members all rest here. The place of the late James Wells adjoining 
Zions church lot and for many years owned by Nicholas Snider was first Settled 
by Martin Shoenholz who had erected a grist mill on but nothing of the buildings 
visible as part of the rubish and dam, Stephen Hailman's deceased's place now in 
the owners hands of george, Henry and Magdalena three of Stephen's children 
(this place the ridge road runs through and along the Schulkill road and part of 
Zion;s church lot of it) this place was first Settled by Adam Stone in 1742 he 
got his :ease for the Same, of Michal Lightfoot attorney of Richard Pike, Stone 
conveyed to Phillip Mance in 1748 his Son Christopher Mance became the owner 
after the decease of his father and after his decease Stephen Mance married the 
widdow and became the owner on this place Stands the first built house but 
uninhabited and the armys had to pass here to Reading and to cross Schulkill and 
the time g. Washington brought the Sick that the Spring hospital did not contain 
over to these two churches the St. Zion and the church generelally called on the 
hill in Vincent, hill church; The train of the bear over the Sick was one mile 
long and g. Washington ahead george yeager the first Settler on the late Henry 
Miller's place george been the great grandfather of John yeager now on his 
fathers place the monument at the foot of the hill, of this more hereafter when 
i come to treat on churches and g. Washington move from the Springs, Daniel 
East's place now formerly and for many years John Hoffman's was cut out of 
Orney's and Haliman's places, old Bassler of which mention was made before the 
time army quartered one night on the Ridge, hid his money in an hollow apple 
tree, Peter Rohds the first owner of, Peter was the father of John Roads now Dr. 
F. Wm. Heckels was the first owner, here is the Mennonist Meeting house erected 
in 1750 of which is made mention above, E. and T. Shunk both names in a large 
Stone in the grave yard wall owned a large tract of land here one of them was . 
. . . Shimer owned and was the first Settler next to this last mentioned John 
Hobbs (the grandfather of the present governor of this State) place now, Peter 
Miller the first Settler of Dr. Brinhurst now Francis Ladshaw from the place of 
the late James Wells untill here, are not taken in rotation i chumped back and 
fored, now to Schulkill from the Pikeland line and along the river to 
Springfield forarly Laurance Hippel's place him been the first Settler thereon, 
was Abraham Turners place him been the first Settler thereon of which 
Springville is at the upper end, of which you will find a Sketch of, drawn by 
James Rogers the present owner of the biges part of the place formarly A. 
Turners it being conveyed to A. Turner by the West New Jersy Society in the year 
1695 A. Turner conveyed to Henry Pennebaecker and his son Cornilius and he 
conveyed to his father his Share and bought a place above the Springs now 
Keeley's, C. after had improved this place sold and moved to Cannada Sometimes 
in the last war Henry Pannebaeker Sold to Pawlings and James Rogers purchased 
of; (at this above mentioned St. Zion's church a prospect for the eye over a 
grate part of Montgomry and Berks Counties and rail road would be worth the 
expence of a Sketch being taken of) James Rogers and Frederick yost are the two 
princibal propriatories of this Springville at the place there where the Bridge 
now crosses Schulkill whent in former times by the Name of Hippel's foord him 
been the first Settler on but Since the year 1800 or 1801 Benjamin and David 
Royer after the decease of Hippel, purchased the place and Some years after 
their decease Frederick yost purchas the greatest part of Royers a copple years 
before yost within eight years when but one house been here, then an entire 
wilderness what now represents Springville. They are two Enterprising gentlemen 
J. Rogers the lower part here he has a Store lumber and Cole yard a foundary 
Lyceum F. yost a Store Cole lumber and limed yard a large Store house and 
Merchand mill in the corner of the Abutment of the Bridge this is a Tole bridge 
built 6 or 8 years by the two Counties and individual Subscription the writer 
had requested Yost and Rogers to Sent me the Number of inhabitants of the 
village but had not done So, F. yost related an incident of his grandfather and 
mother as he Says Use to been tould of by his pairants as follows when or before 
his grandfather came to this country he had a son that he called Conrad and when 
he had been grown up left home and come to America and Settled himself about the 
forris this side Reading took up a large tract of land and prospert, hos father 
never having heard of him and expecting him to be death got mpre children and 
named another one Conrad and that Conrad when had a family came with to this 
country and when arrived at Philadelphia the first Conrad happening to be there 
heard of a Ship having arrived with passengers whent on board of ship as he 
wanted a hand to work and paid the passage for a man and family and took them 
home and in a conversation they after ahd and been both of the Same name and the 
last came in had his parents heart talk of a Son they had once and him having 
Some certain Scar or mark on him and this mark was the cause of coming to know 
taht they were two brothers, That all the Yosts in Amarica had their origin from 
that family; The next place above Springville, is Phillip Crater's now, formerly 
the property of the above mentioned Laurance Hippel next place up Schulkill is 
Michal Towers and John Ash's formarly Jacon Finjhine's place george Rok had been 
the first Settler and owner John Ash a Son in law of J. Finkbine after the 
decease of J. F. the place was devited into two places next place on Schulkill 
Road is the Kolbs properties which were first Settled by a one Shimer next come 
Lawrance Ville named after Captain Lawrance after Job Fodge came to be the owner 
Since old James Brookes decease; here was a large tract of land taken up and 
Settled by Anthony Tunes and him conveying to others afterwards his first grant 
is as follows: Whereas the honourable propriotary by his letter pattant Bearing 
date 14 day of June 1736 did grant and confirm unto Anthony Tunes & & of this 
tract he Sold to N. Kiser 223 acres and the Island 5 acres April 8the 1737 
Nicholas Keiser erected buildings and a grist mill as he was a Milright by 
trade, in 1776 Nicholas Keiser the son of the former Sold to Edward Parker 168 
acres and one half of the iland with the mill John Wilson a son in law of Parker 
became the owner of the mill and Some of the land after the decease of Parker 
and a Short time Since Sold the mills with four acres of land to his Son in law 
Peter Hallowbush, Wilson a millright by trade erected a Sawmill near the crist 
mill.
      This mill Stands in the bank of the Schulkill at the mouth of Pition creek 
and probeled by the sane stream, the line of vincent and East Covantry Townships 
run between the mansion and mills into the River the most part of the houses are 
in Covantry Athony Tunes had taken up all the lands up to Braners and Reinhard's 
Edward Parker had rebuilt the mill in 1766 and afterwards he erected a Sawmill 
near at where now the butment of the Stone arch Bridge accross the creek, and 
between the canal Job Tody owner of a large tract with the Tavern the Tavern 
house was built and other builtings in 1766 and owned for considerable of years 
by James Brooks and sons this place consists of 9 dwelling houses in Vincent and 
11 on the Covantry Side accross the bridge the name of the head mason that done 
all the work along here was Joseph Conrad and this same Conrad done the work at 
Zions Church but John Cunius the Carpenter of said church 2 mile down this road 
about the year 1799 Jacob Shantz bought here the property after the decease of 
the former owner Peter Longecker and a great part of the last, N. Keiser there 
is a Siminary and a new frebaptist meeting house here Susanna Parker the mother 
of Miss Wilson now 86 of age recolects that when a girl 150 Indians came to 
their house and that they had said that they were going to the american army at 
valley forge The greatest part of this part about this place i derived of Mr. 
John Wilson and Lady from here i called on Mathew Davis Esqr. East Covantry and 
he related as follows; My father came to this country with Wm. Penn and Settled 
in Limerick Township Montgomery County the Brookes and the Davises came about 
the Same time the Davises from Wales and the Brookses from England; and members 
of the Quaker Society at that time John Brooks was the first Settler at the 
Swamp road two miles above what is now called Stetlers Tavern, there he built a 
Stone house that whent by the name of the Stone house till within a few years 
and called Shaeffers Tavern now and when he first settled thier he had to go to 
Vandcorns mill now Robisons mill at Wiscohicon to mill this when he forst 
Settled himself being in the wilderness and winter time 25 mile from Said mill 
he had 2 horsies and Started in the dead of winder to git flower left his wife 
and chield at home She run out of provition and the Indians provited for her but 
when he came to the mill there was no flower nor grain then he had to drash 
grain first before he culd git flower this capt him considerable time longer 
that his wife expected him to Stay In the mean time a Snow fell between three 
and two feet deep She gitting uneasy of him being killed in Some way She took 
her chield and Started to find out what became of him She went on till to 
Perkyoman creek hill She then Saw him on Skikuch hill with his horsies coming 
loated with flower; Mineo creek took its name of a indian that lived at the 
mouth of that creek, Mathew Davis became to live here in 1808 is now 72 years 
old there were 4 traveling indians came to his house at one time the all had 
bows and arrows gave them their dinner then took them out to Shoot for cents 
till he had 25 of them in a Short time about a 12 months after met them in the 
road and all knew me and been much pleased to See me. My grandmother had her 
wedding dinner at garrit Brumback's Tavern  and would be now 125 years of age if 
alive her fathers name was Dehaven at the Trappe that Devise now owns and She 
carried the victuals to the masons and working folkes an aunt of mine Margarot 
Davis I heard her asy that when She whent to Philadelphia she to pick 
huckleberries where the City now Stands and on her road home could count 20 
deer-harts in one flock and when i first came here there was no house from 
Shantzes tavern akong the road to grubbs one mile and noe are 11 houses all the 
houses and builtings from the tavern to grubbs were built in my time, i am to 
Say here by Mathew Davis to State that he had been employd by the presend owner 
of Bords borough in 1800 Bords then Spent a few weeks with Brooks and at this I 
heard him relate this circumstance, I been well acquainted with Mark Bords 
formerly of Bords borrow he tould me that wheb he was a young man that then it 
was difficult to git a pit of cole wood on cheastnut hill on account of being 
Sot on fire to keep the timber down I have David Evans heard tell my father That 
he could Stand on the hill opposed John Heisters and See a deer run along Ridge 
road by Brumback's tavern and nothing in the way but underbush the timber that 
is now has all be grown up Since Hiesters rock been formerly called turkey point 
on account of so many Turkies roosting their on near the rock were Some 
revolutionary Soldiers buirried on the place of John Heisters these being men 
that fel sick when the army crossed at Parkers foard afterwards caller Brooker 
foard and Some died in Longeckers barn and burried in Brauers woods, The first 
burried person on Brauers grave yard here was John grumbacher he died 1744 was 
37 years of age. A man by the name of Sprogal took up a large tract of land in 
Montgomery county called hanover township a mile or two below Pottsgrove and 
built a Small Schooner at the mouth of what is called Sprogals run now in the 
Posession of Wm. Brooks he then took the Schooner down to Philadelphia and whent 
back to england about the year 1790 Some time after Some of the heirs came in 
and made their clame to that tract of land but did not Succeed of gitting any 
recompence, about the year 1798 I been out at Wheeling below Pittsburg on the 
ohio, there been Several horsies taken out of that neighborhood and the word 
given out that there were horsies missing and that Indians had been Seen in the 
neighborhood and in the morning there from six to eight gathering and voluntered 
to find the trail and i whent along for one we crossed the river and whent Some 
distance but Seen no indians and returned It was soon found out that one of the 
horse thieves was with us There were Some of the gang about wheeling and Some in 
old Virginia and would take a horse from about Wheeling and meeting one of the 
gang from Virginia with a Stolen horse and they then would exchange horsies and 
return back each one, Now if we had Seen or met with an Indian, the thief that 
was with us would to been the first that would to Shot, here i make mention that 
it may be Seeb how the indians have often been treated end of Esqr's information 
(to be likely to be continued at some further time page 33-9 line) Now i proseed 
to Brauers graveyard to coppy off of the grave Stonesz as follows, this is a 
prived grave yard no meeting house attached to, general John Hiester born 1746 
died 1812 age 76 years. Edward Parker 1788 age 69 years. Jacob Shantz died 1823 
born 1748 age 75 years. Abraham Braner died 1805 age 60. David grubb died 1809 
born 1749 age 59. Conrad grubb died 1809 born 1737 age 81 years. Peter Maurer 
died 1833 born 1761 age 72. David Zublin died 1803 Age 57 years. David 
Mundshaner died 1833 born 1769 age 64 years, Martin gunsenhanser died 1822 age 
51 years.
      Now Reinhards factories, Uley Reinhard the grant and great grant father of 
the present Reinharda Uhley R, when came from germany he remained about the 
neighborhood of germantown when but one house Stood their then came to Coventry 
and took up a large tract of land on both Sides of Pitchen creek and erected 
buildings first a hous which is a this time in good repair george a grand Son of 
Uhley had previous erected his first house about the Schulkill road and lived 
there when he erected this, occupies the Same for kitchen purpose i whent on 
purpose to view it and took thies Notes down in it, its 18 by 25 feet two 
Stories high the lower Story of Stone the Second of hewn logs there are 
extensive Stone ends attachet to at each gable end close at the one Side of the 
brest of the dam on the Side on the west side are the crist and Saw mill and at 
the head of this are the buildings belonging to and the woollen factory of which 
all with F. Sheeder, the writer of this and Kimberton (Frederick Langenhime of 
your City has taken Sketchis of Some) 3 or 4 years Since that he has been here, 
been Several builtings erected here on this place of mine, you will find on page 
33-26th line an anecdote, his office in the Exchange Custom house thirth Street, 
where you can obtain a coppy of, george and his family could not give me any 
information as to how long that builting Stood as the builtings on each cable 
end exced this centril and no date on it can be discovered but the Judged it to 
be between 80 and 90 or perhaps 100 years It was John the Son of uhley that 
erected the mill with the assistance of his father & Saw-mill a Son of John 
Daniel erected the woollen factory about the 1810 he however died in the year 
1815 and Sanuel the younger Son of John is the present owner and occupant an 
older brother jad the grist and Sawmill and some of the land he however Sold out 
and moved back george Hoffman purchased of him but died within a year George 
Reinhard is the owner of the old mansion and part of the place They been of the 
german baptist persuation their meeting house this Side that used to been the 
Swan tavern till of late george and Samuel took with the Battle ant, All these 
places when first taken up run from Schulkill up towards the Ridge to the line 
of gerrit Brumback, 1000 acres that he took up and Settled, This track is part 
in Covantry and part in Vincent about 1 mile up frpm the Tavern of Brumbach's is 
the Church called Brumback's of the german reformed persuation; the first log 
church built here about 1750 or 5 was of hewn logs one and a half Story with 
gallery broken roof two 4 light windows at each gable end and two of the Same 
Size in the roof at each side these been for to light the gallery and pulpit the 
lower Story had 12 light windows the grave yard then but Small and fanced close 
at the church with pail and the rest with posten fence The Rev. Miniens was the 
first preacher after him the Rev. J. Philip Leydick and in 1784 the Rev. 
Frederick Daelliker (Salliker) In 1800 this present Edifice been erected outsid 
the grave yard to enlargen the Same, and J. Longecker gave the Congregation more 
ground and they Surrounted all in one graveyard and the church yard impailed 
after this new church was built and at the consecration the Rev. Frederick 
Harman came to officiate till 1821 The Rev. John C. guildin Son in law pf the 
former the later of late years done not to the Satisfaction to all or 
exhilaration of all of which more when comming to treat of the hill church 
below, after guildin, their been Several preaching butof Short duration the last 
one the Rev. Folk, but left; There is a Schoolhouse here and School kept I have 
coppied Some names of the grave Stones as follows John young born 1744 died 1780 
age 37 george young son of the former and father and grandfather to the John 
young at covantry living yet born 1773 died 1821 Nich9las Keller born 1759 died 
1822 age 69 years. Philip Miller born 1750 died 1809 age 59 years. Frederick 
Priser born 1768 died 1823 age 55 years William Shuler born 1773 died 1835 age 
62 years Henry Hoock born 1760 died 1835 age 69 years Henry Brumback; a Son of 
garrit born 1733 died 1804 Age 71 years he was born in this country 118 years 
ago Jacob Mason born 1712 died 1776 age 64 years Frederick Bingeman the Son of 
F. Bingeman of the Son in law of garrit Brumback that is made mention of in the 
description of the places born 1756 died 1832 age 75 years Peter Kline born 1755 
died 1824 age 68 years Theadore Miller born 1758 died 1838 age 80 years Peter 
Fertig born 1765 died 1842 age 75 years Sebastian Root a member of Zion church 
born 1761 died 1843 age 82 years he been born near Pottsgrove John Fertig born 
1736 died 1833 age 94 years came to America 1754 Jacob Fertig born 1778 died 
1823 age 45 years John Heister son of general Heister born 1774 died 1822 age 43 
years Henry Titlow born 1719 died 1793 age 74 years John Titlow born 1757 died 
1827 age 68 years a son of the former Henry Brumback born 1791 died 1829 age 36 
years Sebastian Kelly born 1734 died 1777 age 43 years Peter Brumback was an 
officer in the Western expedition born 1764 died 1834 age 69 garrit been his 
grandfather Wm. Posey a son in law of garrit Brumback born 1759 age 62 Peter 
Paul born 1742 died 1802 age 60 years Christian Benner died 1767 the oldest and 
the first enterred here have no grave Stones. This church Stands at the, or near 
the line of Covantry Township and in Vincent Township. Sebastion Root above 
mentioned of his father Sebastion Root came to this country and picked berries 
on the ground where the first marked house in the City Pha. afterwards was 
erected and Settled himself afterwards in the neighborhood of Pottsgrove now, 
then he was a young man with no family. And now I will proseed to the erection 
of St. Peters church in Pikeland within 2 miles of the Yellow Springs called So 
then but of late Chester Springs, in the year 1771 £125:05 was Subscribed by 89 
persons to proseed to the erecting of this church The Emnys,l King, Deerys and 
Hartmans been by this time the leading members or Charaiters in the Congregation 
worshipping at St. Peters. This congregation hath Separated from the Vincent 
Congregation. This Church was built and constructed on the same as the one I 
have already gave a discription of in all manner and Shape Pikeland was then 
generally called Pikestown. The offisiating preacher at thi and before this 
church and others been built The Rev. Henry Muehlenberg Sinior his own hand 
writting in the archive of this Congregation on the 10 day of November tuesday 
1772 in the evening after the concecration of this church wrote thuse Heinrich 
Muehlenberg Siniorl Ludvig Voigt been the officsiating preacher Henry 
Muehlenberg was requested by Ludvig Voight to officsiate at the concecration of 
this church he brought his lady and the Sweedish pastor of Wicacoce of 
Philadelphia in company Voight requested the Rev. Muehlenberg to deliver the 
first Sermon and did So his Text genes: 23. 20-22 and at the close of the 
forenoon Servis he published that in the afternoon a cermon in English should be 
delivered which to a great throng of persons The Sweedish pastor he did (on the 
6th Said month Sunday Servis began and lasted three days and in the evening of 
the thirth day the Rev. gentleman wrote as above Stated) and his Text Ephes. 
6.10 and next day monday morning the Rev. Muehlenberg a cermon in german Text. 
Ephes: 6. 10. and afternoon the Sweedish pastor in the ehglish Text. Lev. 24. 
29. To which proceedings in detail he Subscribed his Name and the intire is his 
hand writing on December 21th, 1772 an Election for Trusties wardens and elders 
and consistory jusen of the following persons four Trustees Jacob Danfeltzer 
Adam Mosis Michal Koenig and Conrad Sellner 4 decons Henry Knerr george Emrick 
Zacharias Rice and Peter Hartman. Three wardens Valtine (Foos-Fus) Baltasar 
Ludwig and Said persons been in Stated March 14th 1773 by the Rev. Henry 
Muehlenberg Junior who Injoined their duties on them, which proseedings both 
father and Son entereth at lenth into the archives of Said St. Peters church. I 
shall now proseed to give the Names of the oldest members burried on this 
burying place as taken from the tomb or grave Stones John Hartman died 1775 the 
father of Peter who was the father Major in the Revolution the father of george 
who was formarly Sheriff of this County who was the father of the present george 
who is generally called general Hartman, he when with him has promissed me to 
bring his grandfathers Jornal which he had kept when out in servis in the 
Revolution but has not as yet performed according to his promise. Peter Hartman 
born 1740 died 1810 age 70 years a revolutionar Vallantine Orner born 1743 died 
1818 age 75 Conrad Miller sied 1774. Vallantine Fuss born 1744 died 1815 age 71 
years. Conrad Selner born 1722 died 1777 age 55 years george Emrick born 1730 
did 1800 age 71 his wife died 1833 age 90 years who been the parents of the 
present generation of Emerys as they write their name now; Now i Shall proseed 
to Zions Church in connezion with St. Peters. The original archive of this 
Congrigation churcvh is in Some way or manner got lost The german Lutherans and 
Reformed Calvinists in these parts of the county obtained this lot of ground 
consisting of about 10 acres of ground jointly a house had then been thereon to 
meet in, each Sosiety had their officiate The Rev. Henry Muehlenberg Sin. of 
whom is made mention of above residing in Philadelphia then was the Lutheran 
preacher and likely Sinicus of whom i have made mention above the prespeteran 
preacher till about the year 1770 when from time to time Consultations been on 
the Subject of erecting a new house of worship The members could not agree on a 
Site to Suit them all the members that after erected St. Peters wished to have 
it nearer french creek or rather on their Side but the vincent members did not 
give way and retained their place and Satisfied the others for their Shares, the 
members of the Zions church and Reformed Calvanists and St. Peters afterwards, 
and each making oreparation to erect new building to Suit their purpose the 
Pikelanders erected about the one as alrady discribed in all respects to that, 
all of wood the vincenters erected the present Stone Structur of red Sand stone 
the front fronting on the Schulkill road about two mile of the french creek 
Bridge is a half a mile from the general Pike were this road and Branson road 
forks. The front of this Edifice is of hewn Stone in Sight of the reading 
railroad below and nearly opposed Springville  here at this church the eye has a 
prospect over a great part of Montgomery and Berks Countys now i will encert the 
most of the names cut in full in the stones over the front door Rev. L. Focht 
but he himself wrote his Name Voight he living then in _________ only performing 
servis alternately here. C. Shoener, H. Herpel, J. Essig, Peter Miller, Shuman 
Henry Christman 1774 now follow the names i copied off of the Slabs and Tomb 
Stones at this place close to the front gable end door Ludwig Voight was born in 
Mansfield germany 1731 and intered 1800 age 69 year and 18 days it was comjucted 
that there were not less than three Thousand persons at this funeral John Hause 
1835 age 73 his father John is Burried at Rohdes grave yard, Benjamin Roger died 
1823 age 54 Andrew ortlip died 1819 Jacob Finkbine born 1754 died 1822 age 68 
Nicholas Snider born 1741 died 1822 age 78 Henry Hans son of John died 1825 age 
56 Peter Miller son of Peter Miller died 1825 age 42 he been the organist Peter 
Miller Sr born 1734 died 1803 age 69 John Maurer born 1746 age 73 John Shuman 
born 1767 died 1822 age 54 Henry Miller Son of Peter born 1773 died 1838 age 65 
Clements Rentgen born 1754 died 1833 David Royer died 1832 age 60 Henry Maurer 
born 1739 died 1800 age 60. this is the father of the writer of this Henry 
Sheeder born 1745 died 1807 age 62 Jacob Hailman born 1780 died 1811 age 31 
Stephen or Stevanus Hailman the father born 1744 died 1821 age 77 Henry 
Christman born 1744 died 1823 age 79 george Emrick born 1745 died 1820 age 66 
Zacharias Ziegler born 1713 died 1800 age 87 John Baker born 1762 died 1833 age 
70 John Miller born 1762 died 1825 age 63 Abraham Knerr died 1833 age 65 Mathias 
Wartman born 17__ died 1801 age 57, Jacob Mayer born 1749 died 1824 aged 75 John 
Walter born 1733 died 1818 age 79 Wm. Walter son born 1744 died 1818 age 52--
Harleman was a vestry member in Voight's time Zions Church Stands in Pikeland 
the line joins the vincent line, this edifice was commenced in 1771 until 1774 
and was atken up as a hospital the time general Washington lay at the Springs 
with the one on the hill and the train one mile long with the Sick its no use of 
relating when this was it will be familar to every reader that it was after the 
retreat of the Battle of Brandiwine. This church was consecrated by the name of 
Zion and the Congregationn Stiled in the Charter The protistand german Lutheran 
Congregation worshiping in the church of Zion the Vincent congergation. This and 
the St. Peter congergation jointly purchased a place for their minister to 
reside among their midst and in the year 1787 purchased for a parsonage of John 
Hause 50 acres a mile above Zion's church for the Sum of £215::05:00 which was 
paid by the Elders and wardens of both Congregations namly Peter Miller John 
Walter Peter Shuman on the Side of Zion and george Emry Chacarias Rice anf 
Danfelzer of St. Peters there are no records at hand of the purchase money and 
the erection of Zion but must have been considerable Towards the erection of St. 
Peters was subscribet in the year 1771 £125: 3: 3 by 89 persons the Emmericks 
Deerey and Hardmans been till then the leading members of the Congration of St. 
Peters till of late years The Christman, Haus, and Millers of the Vincent 
Congregation till of late and of this one place of worship at Zion there been 
till within 2 years 6 churches erected. Ludwig Voight had been the recular 
preacher from Sometime before Zion and St. Peters been erected untill his 
decease Muehlenberg the first of all, St. Peters as had been built of logs and 
not So dureable and too small as the members increased  They rebuilt one of 
Stone jointly with the Reformed protestand with an organ in; In the year 1808 
and in the year 1835 one knight was sat afire and burned down It then Stood in 
the grave yard it was immediately rebuilt outside and below the graveyard. After 
the decease of Ludwig Voigt Rev. Rebenack made but a Short Stay and was 
discharged on account of his Lady in 1805 did not git to live on the parsonage 
that was rented on account as the Pikeland had taken Henry gaisenhimer of whom 
the vincent Congregation had a dislike A Short time after the Rev. Frederick 
Isinsky became the acceptable and beloved and united preacher at both churchis 
Zion and St. Peter untill his decease, had beforehand requested that if he 
Should die here That they Should Bury him at St. Peters now he rests their he 
posesed the parsonage during life and in his time been new Stone house and barn 
erected by the Congregations on the parsonage he allways performed his duty as a 
preacher in great arnest, in his last Sermon he observed Some as i thought not 
quite attandive he made a clap with the palm of his hand requesting them to 
listen for as he said, it was likely the last time he was Speaking to his 
hearers and in fact he was confined but a Short time and after his decease the 
Rev. Frederick gaisenhimers became the regular preachers of the two 
Congregations untill the Sinior was called to New york and the Junior remained 
untill he was called theire likewise Then the Rev. Jacob Wampole became the 
regular preacher and posesed lick his predeccsors the parsonage untill his 
health became impaired, had other Churches to attent to and his constitution 
weakly caused him to leve thes 2 Congregations In the time of gaisenhiners 
English preaching in the afternoon in both churches was atmitted and continuse 
So After Wampole left in the Spring of 1836 the Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff became 
the ordinary preacher of both Congregations and had possession of the parsonage 
but in the year 1842 a disagreeableness in the Vincent Vestry or Consistory and 
was firbidden to preach in Zion and was ordered to leve the parsonage he 
accordingly done so moved into the Neighborhood of Lyonville retained St. Peters 
and Lyonville congregation and St. Matthews un the Canestoco pike a New church a 
mile above that at formerly Ludwigs Tavern and in the year 1843 left after he 
had caused a dimmemberment of that Congregation The orthodox Serporated and 
erected an other new edifice close by above the graveyard after Suit had 
comenced; why I say orthodox every proseedings from the beginning of Vincent and 
St. Peters Congregations to them the paronage belonged jointly to both and house 
and barn jointly erected for the purpose of germen preaching and all expenses 
bore jointly from the beginning till here when Rughrauff caused a Split of this 
St. Peters Congregation St. Peters has no more germen preaching Since Rughrauff 
left and his party got the parsonage Sold the orthodox purchased the same, Rev. 
W. Cron is their preacher since Rughrauff left and no more germen preached the 
orthodox retain the germen the Vincent Congregation Rev. Joseph Miller Served 
from the Trapp, till the Rev. W. Weldon got to be the regular preacher at Zion 
and St. Paul, germen in the forenoon, and english in the afternoon W. Weldon the 
present Pastor purchased the parsonage of the low Congregations of all which 
Rughrauff was the cause If he had never came here all would remain as tofor and 
this contemptnonsness would not to had taken place, this was built two or three 
years before the disturbans took place. The church was erected jointly by the 
Lutherand and prespeterans, The one about one mile at the pike at Ludwick's 
called St. Andrew, E[iscopalian's information of Wm. Rogers late Sheriff of this 
County, The members that erected the first meeting house of what is called 
quaker meetinghouse, now and Since the new erected at Kimberton is used as a 
Schoolroom half mile from Kimberton have been the family of Starrs at Starrs 
foard now PhoenixVille and Joseph Rogers the grandfgather of the informent 
Settled at french creek of which I have made mention alrady Joseph with his 
father settled there when Joseph was but two years old and They been the first 
white family that Settled among the red children of the forrest and there are 
Several wigwams in the bank where now the barn Stands which is now 126 years 
1845---James a brother of Joseph a pirty Stout fellow use to fight and rassel 
with the indian boys on this place was the first pottery erected in these parts, 
and the Second one on Paul Benners place that became afterwards my first place 
in 1800 and where that pottery stood i put the first house I had built Now i 
proseed to the Church on the hill between a half mile and one mile above Zions 
church of which I here and there made Som mention of, first Related to me by 
Henry Hoffman leader of the choir in both these churches for 42 or 43 years and 
of good memory he relates as follows in relation of this church on the hill in 
the first built on the old church here are the names of the ministers that 
preached in Rev. Leidy Rev. Bumb Rev. Dallacker Rev. Harman in his time the new 
was built John guldin and J. R. Hooken the present one, then he Said The oldest 
that are buirried here on this grave yard are Philip Andrew Thomas Snider Caspar 
Snider Philip Rapp and all the old Labachs old Yost Smith Michal Taney the 
family of the old Hecks and the Rev. F. S. Harmon was the preacher at Brumbacks 
church since built in 1800 before him the Rev. Leidy Rev N. Bumb and Rev. 
Frederick Dellacker then he gave information of a good many of the first 
Settlers and proseeds on abd Says, in the year 1750 was Rohdes Meeting house 
built and 1795 was Laurance Hippel Buirried their old Wagner was buirried and 
old Adam Miller also before the Revolution Noe i proseed of what I voppied off, 
of the Tomb Stones in this grave yard as follows Nicholaus gearhard born 1740 
died 1820 age 85 years John Shott born 1755 died 1813 age 62 Martin Shoenhalz 
died 1807 age 71 Thomas Snider born 1716 died 1782 age 66 Caspar Snider, Brigate 
inspector the son of the first, born 1762 died 1823 Peter Defrahn born 1733 died 
1782 age 49 Michal Saiffer born 1724 died 1802 age 78 John Labach born 1728 died 
1808 age 80 John Labach son born 1766 died 1823 age 57 John Hoffman born 1745 
died 1815 age 70 John Otwine born 1734 died 1791 age 57 Hartman Burbauer born 
1747 died 1801 age 60 John yeager born 1758 died 1830 age 72 george yeager 
father of the former born 1718 died 1790 age 72 Peter yeager born 1765 died 1811 
age 46. Peter Shunck uncle of the govuner born 1756 died 1814 age 58 Henry 
Hippel born 1759 died 1843 age 84 the father is buirried at Rhodes meetinghous 
george Kirsh born 1755 died 1837 age 82 Caspar Snider born 1724 died 1821 age 79 
Benjamin Boyer died 1780 born 1727 age 53 years the first one buirried here on 
this grave yard Barnhard Rapp son of the above born 1761 died 1824 age 63 
Frederick Rapp brother born 1766, died 1833 age 67 John Rapp brother born 1773 
died 1838 age 65 Jacob Rapp a brother born 1774 died 1838 age 63 Benjamin Rapp 
brother born 1776 died 1823 age 47 Conrad Shearer born 1767 died 1834 age 67 
John March born 1735 died 1806 age 71. There are 400 corps entered in this yard.
      End of Part the Second

      EAST VINCENT TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY
      PENNSYLVANIA

      BY FREDERICK SHEEDER, MDCCXLVI

      Part the Third


      The following taken out of the Archive of the hill church Stiled the 
german Reformed church in Vincent. The old log church was built and consecrated 
May 27th 1758, under the then official Rev. John Philip Leydich and vestry 
Sebastian Wagner Sin. Simon Shank John Shoenholz Thomas Schnider and Lorentz 
Hippel. The archive has the record of the babtised from 1758 till 1833, were 
babtised 725, and from 1799 till 1831 confirmed 290; in 1784 the Rev. Frederick 
Daelliker became the official in this church; Frederick Harman came to be the 
official in 1799 until 1821; John C. guldin till the year 1840, Rev. Honger and 
he deceased and the present one the Rev. John Hooken and Rev. Hoffman 
alternately; John C. guldin caused this congregation to Split; And each has 
there official and vestry. In 1812 the Congregation nominated the following 
members as managers to build a new church (I gave a discription of allrady) John 
Labach, Caspar Snider, Henry Hippel, Conrad gerhard, Conrad Sherer, John 
Hoffman, John yeager, John Wagner and George Hippel; this committee nominated 
out of their number as builders John Labach, Caspar Snider & Henry Hippel, they 
prosected and erected this present Structur (The road formerly pased in front of 
this church on the East Side, now it passes to the left along the Ridge), and at 
the laying of the Corner Stone there been coins & all that is usually disposeted 
at Such ocations and within three years was a burglary and Sacrilege committed a 
corner of the corner Stone that had the pit wherein was all composed, cut out 
and robbed, the perpetrators run at liberty to this time. The Stones that this 
edifice are composed of red yellow and white free Stones. I coppied out of Said 
archive the names of 63 of the first deceased members of this congregation as 
follows: John Shoenholz, Michal Derry, Simon Schunk, Sebastian Wagner, Thomas 
Schnider, John Schnider, Peter Steger, Jacob Collman, John Hippel, Sebastian 
Wagner, Jacob Helvig, Michal Sifert, Lorence Kyle, John Labach, Simon Schunk, 
george yeager, Paul Benner, Adam gondel, John Imhoff, Jacob Miller, John 
Hoffman, Philip Stine, george Harts, John Kline, Christian Stahl, Jacob Conrad, 
Henry Carl, John Keeley, Henry Brenholz, Vallentine Schmit, Jacob guender, 
george Christman, Caspar Barbaner, Nicholas grund, John March, Antony Acker, 
Henry Bluit, Frederick Barnholz, Leonard Dombil, John Heck, John Kline, Philip 
Steffan, Conrad Shurer, John Shenfelter, Wm. Shott, Philip Wiant, John gross, 
Jacob Hellwing, Jacob Stickel, Wm. Claus, Wm. Thomas, John Martz, Jacob Ellis, 
Peter Defrehn, Frederick Henken, Jacob Hell, Jacob Houenstine, John geitting, 
Philip Sellers, James Marry, Henry Schmid, Christian Ehmig, Jacob Nailer, Philip 
Seeler, John Brahlman, Sebastian Maurer, John Deck, John John; here i Shall 
close as relating churches as one archive is mislaid or lost and the two 
remaining is the most part neclected of entry; now i proseed to give a 
discribtion of the monument at the foot of the hill of this last mentioned 
Church. The monument is a plain Pyramid about eight feet high inclosed by a 
Strong wall adjoining on the Ridge road, on the left hand passing up the ground 
in walled is 65 feet by 23 feet bearing the following inscription on the South 
Side
      Virtue, Liberty and Independence

on the East---

                  Within these walls surrounding, they ;
                  Can yet be thouth to claim a tear,
                  O Smite thy gentle breast and Say;
                  The friends of freedom Slumber here,
                  We here their humble graves adorn ;
                  We too may fall and ask a tear;
                  Tis not the beauty of the morn
                  That proves the Evening Shall be clear.

on the West---

                  Their names though lost in earth below,
                  And hence are not recorded here,
                  Are known where lasting pleasures flow,
                  Beyond the reach of death and fear,
                  Their feet have trod misfortunes Sands,
                  Their lives by hardships worn down,
                  They'er gone we trust to better lands,
                  To brighter Sunshine of their own.

on the North---

      Sacred To The Memory of

Twenty-two Revolutionary Soldiers ,who in the fall of 1777, when the American 
Army had encamped at the Valley Forge, were lodged in the german Reformed church 
(in Sight) then occupied as a hospital; who there, distant from their homes, 
uncomforted by friends and kind relations, deceased in the Spring of 1778, of a 
fever then prevailing in the camp; entered in this ground and where they 
Slombered in their peacefull but neglected tombs (except that Mr. Henry Hippel, 
Sen. preserved the ground), untill the union Battalion of Voluntiers of Chester 
County aided by the generous and patriotic people of this Vicinity, resolved to 
have them enclosed and a monument placed over them; The foundation of which 
accordingly was laid on the 10th of November 1831 upon which occasion regular 
Military ceremonies were observed and a funeral oration delivered, to perpetuate 
the profound regard due the individuals who paid the forfeit of their precious 
lives for our Sacred rights, and for the privileges which they were never 
permitted to enjoy, and to continue to generations unborn; They have raised this 
Monument on the 25th of October 1833; and which they also dedicate to the memory 
of a number of Revolutionary Soldiers who the Same time and the Same manner, 
deceased in the Lutherian Church (then used as a hospital) and are buried near 
it and in other places of this Vicinity.

      Now I shall proseed to make Some remarks of which i never Seen any mention 
of on record which is concerning g. Washington and John Ralston Esqr. deceased, 
of the later the writer was for 25 years an near neighbor of intimate 
entercourse he a many times related to me when the conversation on the 
revolutionary was the Subject, that when g. Washington was about leving the 
Springs he made inquiries of how and who he could git with Sufficient trust to 
guide him to Reading; Captain John Ralston was recommented to him to be Such a 
one, he the general wrote a few lines, Sent one of his officers to induce 
Captain John Ralston to appear before him. The captain was for making Some 
excuses, but the request was so pressing that he must go with the bearer, and as 
often Judge Ralston related this transactions to and everytime he Spoke of it, 
he Said that  .    .    .    .    .    .    .  his good conscience cheered him 
as he had done no rong to his country and had acted the part of a good patriot, 
and with this animation got to his usual vivety, and when he arrived at the 
generals quarters, he was introdused to g. Washington by saying here is Captain 
John Ralston. The general at this time was Sitting at the Table writting but 
immediately got on his feet and walking back and forwards in his room, making 
inquiries how far he lived from the Springs and how far his father lived from 
there, and how they all where and where he had been born, and the Captain had 
answered all these questions, the next was are you acquainted with all the roads 
in these parts (when the general put This last question he Made a halt before 
the Captain were he had been requested to take a seat and Staring the Captain in 
the face. Then the Captain use to Say that then his heart beat faster than at 
any time before looking at this monstrous big man). The Captain repliedyes, then 
he was asked if he know Such and Such a road that the general made mention, the 
Captain said no, he knew of none by that name, Like lightning he clapt his hand 
in his pocket drew out a book with the maps in (in all this time the Captain 
knew nothing of the generals design here, whenever the Captain related this 
circumstance he made the Same motion as the general did when he clapt his habd 
to his pocket) and looking for the road that he entented to know of the Captain 
and then Said The Ridge road leading by Brumbacks Church, the Captain ansored 
yes he was well acquainted with; Then said the general by laying his hand on the 
Captains Shoulder you must be my Pilot to Reading, and not till then the 
Captains heart ceased beating and the general ordered him to be rady at Such an 
hour to morrow and appear at his room. The Captain done as ordered and the line 
of march was commenced from the Springs to Kimberton, now, then down Bransons 
Road to where the general Pike is where this and the Schulkill road forks to git 
accross french creek bridge, as there was of no stone bridge known of, far and 
near at them times, Then up the Ridge road, the road as i observed above what 
was in front of the Church on the hill and the church full of sick and from here 
up the road the tents been Struck for the first knights quarter, the general 
enquartered at the head in the house Standing yit and occupied by the family of 
the late widdow Francis, which quarters the Captain had gon ahead and prepaired 
quarters for the general to lodge, this now was the first knights loging, next 
day the line of march was comenced up the Ridge road to where the ridge and 
Branson meets, the place now John Youngs and the old part of youngs hous then 
was a new house, and herein was the generals Second knights loging. This house 
when erected Conrad Bull done the mason work at it; next day the Captain was 
discharged and whent home. I do not remember any of all the circumstances that 
Judge Ralston use to relate to me and conversations that took place of this 
perticular part he allways related more cheerfully as any other; When the 
Captain received his commission he was quit a young man and from then till the 
day he died, this neighborhood will not Soon be blessed with Such a useful man 
as he was during his life; he was never without commission. He received his 
commission as Justice of the peace from governor Miffling and had not known 
anything about it till it was brought to his house; every man could depent on 
his word and he more then once tould me that never but one Suit out of his 
docket had been taken to Court, that he had given his judgement on but one and 
that the Court gave the same, he John Ralston received his Commission of 
associate Judge of governor Mckean for Chester County and knew nothing of till 
brought to his house and held and acted on both till to his death. He held and 
Served offices in the militia. In fact he was the gardian of this parts of the 
Country fare and near; Suits depending at court for years and at last devited to 
the dissatisfaction of theb parties he afterwards could and did Settle between 
the parties to their Satisfaction; i could name a number of them but will name 
but one that everyone in this neighborhood must have a recolection of---Is the 
one took place at birdge run between Michal Kolb and Nicholas ground, about the 
water right, which Suit was for a considerable time at Court, and when at last 
disited it was not to the Satisfaction of the parties and both agreed to leave 
it to the Judge, And the met the house of one of the parties and he Settled it 
to their Satisfaction and one that was thronged in the cost at court oftentimes 
tould me in his lifetime That if he had taken the advise of the Judge had given 
him, the Suit would never been taken to court and that the Judge had given him 
such advise that if he had been his chield could not to done more as he did to 
him but he could not see into it That he would had then Saved all the Trouble 
and costs; he was in general a peace maker, social and familiar to all. At one 
time i been at court when Judge Ross was on the bench, a trial of kitnaping came 
on, one Jesse Kirck, I think or believe, was the prosciuter and him listoning 
whit his hands lapt, with his eyes Shut, and holding his head in a possision as 
if he was looking to the Sealing, hearing the wittnissis given the attorniesz 
pleadings and the Judges charge to the Jury. I do not think before the Judge 
gave his charge that one person could think that he was guilty of the charge, 
but the Judge in his charge to the Jury expresed him to the Jury as a guilty 
man, how the prosecutor must to then rejosed within himself as soon as the 
charge was given to the Jury whent upstairs and court adjurned for dinner the 
President lodged in a prived house the associated at Jeffries next door to the 
court house as soon as Ross had his dinner he came to his associates and as soon 
he had entered their room Judge Ralston got up from his Seat and Said to him, 
mine got Judge, how could you give such a charge to the Jury, and the answer was 
I must confess i was rong, The Jury been not long detained got their dinner and 
as Soon court wal called handet in their vertic not guilty to the astonishment 
of all that heard the Judges charge. I could relate of many quire transactions 
having taken place in mine time but dont suit at this time. John Ralston, Judge, 
died at the advansed age of 80 years. In relation of wild animals there are to 
this time along french creek are partrages, owls, land and water Tortoise, 
Pheasants, Rabbits, ground hogs and Foxes, muskrat, mink and weesel. The Soil in 
west Vincent gravely with some Clay in flat places and some places Sandy and the 
most part hard iron Stones with here and thier Some free stones, Timber, 
blackoak whiteoak Chestnut snf Chestnut oack or rockoack walnut and Poplar Some 
beach and birdch but hickory is in abundance, The Soil in East Vincent is of 
three difrent discription and quit difrent from that of west along french creek 
its Sandy entermixt with Some Slate and some Iron Stones and near along the 
Ridge road white and red freestones and the soil Sand entermixet with sand and 
soap Slate and between the Ridge Road and the River Schulkill the Soil cheafly 
Sand the stones alltogether sand stone of difrent hue and colour, Timber 
whiteoak black oack and hickory with here and their a chestnut tree, the Soil of 
my first knowledge from the year 1793 and 1794 prodused but poor crops of any 
kind of grain and at that time but 2 farms that could and did produse good crops 
of wheat and farming then in bad condition the most of the farms then harvasted 
from one, two, three and four acres of wheat, some indifrent crop of corn and 
oats chiefly raised Rye Buckwheat done better then as now, The cause of this was 
They Settlers not being the owners of the Soil now knowing at what time the real 
owners would take possession of and drive them off They generally neglected even 
to haul that little manure that they made, on their ground when they had cleared 
a field they worked that down so that it bore nothing of any kind of grain or 
grass but Carlic and thorns or briers; but as they became the owners of the Soil 
from time to time and obtained means to lime and plaster to bring the worn out 
Soil too, It produses abundently and rewards the husbandman for his Toil if 
prices of produse are reasonable, but take this Township, thier remain but few 
farms that contain the Same number of acres as they did 45 years ago and are now 
often prodused on 50 acres more as then on 200 acres and live better in the 
bargin. There are more or quiet triple the buildings as then and nearly all of 
Stone, at that time it was a rerety if a cow or Steer was fatened on a farm but 
now a common useage for house use and market---flax in that time was abundently 
grown but at this time but little of it, the Soil is not addabted for Some cause 
or other unknown. There are five permenant bridges accross french all built in 
my time the lower one rebuilt 10 or 12 years Since if i can make time before i 
sent you this i Shall git the date of the first erection of Providing there is a 
date Stone in the wall, this country general Speaking resembles more as a garden 
as it did 52 years ago. Joseph Painter publisher of the Register & Examiner has 
gathered materials to Publish a history of Chester County by Subscription but 
not published on account of patronage if you aply to him its likely he may 
transmit the Same to you, The Moravians had the first Missionaries Sent among 
the indians of whom i read book 1792 whilr i lived at Lebanon of whom you can 
derive all information concerning the indians in more detail as of any else, of 
that place i could Say a great deel, Some one from that place will give you 
Satisfactory detail of that place; and likewise i could or Should mention 
Something of your City in the year 1794-5 and i lived thier I been present at 
the fire of when the New Church in fourth between Race and Arch Streets burnt 
down and at the funeral procession of Mr. Brown and family been burried 5 corps 
in four coffings, i think it was on Newyears day; their house burned down and 
all perished but their coach driver. Mr. Brown I think was the Publisher of the 
first daily paper in the City, and happened to be on business in Philadelphia in 
the year 1799 when John Frees & were to be hung, was at the prison among the 
grout till the hour for his being brought out and his pardon arrived I been at 
the launch of the first fricat built at the Navy yard i think She was named 
Philadelphia i remember that there was no brickhouse from Seventh Street to 
Schulkill, but the farry house that Henry Knerr occupied then a Son of old Henry 
Knerr of this Township at his lifetime and from, a little pice up from fourth 
Street in Arch to Schulkill but ginders mead house as called then I been often 
about Morrisces builting and happened to come past the time they been tearing it 
down and asked one of the hands at work Why they were tearing that builting down 
he replied Saying This was a house to make the rich poor and the poor rich, I 
often seen general Washington and lady in there 2 horse coach Sunday Riding to 
church out fourth and down Arch Street till to the church; and i seen Frees 
brough in 4th Street to the workhouse as called then by the light house and seen 
them work into it. I cannot forbear Something respecting Lebanon I came to live 
with Peter Miller then the Second house from the large corner Brick Tavern 
Lineweaver then F. Stoever this Peter Miller was quarter master in the 
Revolution and John Phillip Cornet of the Rigiment that went from that quarter 
to what was termed flying Camp to Newyork at the time they got their orders to 
march They Nominated him P.M. to that office as none of their Number had corage 
to accept of it but him i must make but few words of i might write Several 
Sheets of what he use to relate of that campain, he P. Miller then took John 
gloninger with him as his Secritary who when afterwards Dauphing was cut off of 
Lancaster &, became one of the associaters and acted as Such till of late years 
Said P. Miller was a distiller and he took 4 hogsheads of wisky of his own along 
for his men and Sometime after the laid about Newyork Provision got scarce and 
the general Quartermaster esued orders to the rigimental quartermasters to make 
return of all the provision in Camp at his office all orders obayed when Miller 
was admitted into office and hanted his return in and notice taken of but was 
none to Spare but wiskey he Miller was ordered to diliver a certain quanty to 
others that had none, he refused obediance the g. Q. had his Sword hanging 
within his reach before him at the wall and as Soon he had the disabediant 
answer the crabbed g. Q. a Stout man took hold of his Sword and Miller laid hold 
of his to draw as Soon the g. would draw and by the this time tould the g. that 
the wiskey was his property and that he had brought it for his own men and not 
for any other use and then parted as friends. I must mention here at this time 
Peter Miller had but little to concern him had given up keping a public house 
which buisness he followed from Soon after he returned from Camp his distillery 
was still in opperation until his decease So as he had not much to look after he 
Spent his most time in my room conversing with me and this his history of the 
revolution he so often came over. One more of what he use to relate to me and 
this that i am going to relate took place in the year 1795 or 96 It was the time 
that wheat the first time failed and got to three dollars a bushel and at that 
time the been diging in that neighborhood at the union Cannal and the head men 
go to come from england and who visited at Lebanon then and as the diging was in 
operation he got brick kilns erected and got brick burned to erect brick arches 
over the same wherever the cannal crossed a road he Peter Miller and grenewald 
use to persuate him to desist of doing so that this was too expensive as there 
were Stones plenty duck out of the cannal to do built bridges with but for the 
present he Should put plank bridges accross the cannal till it would prove to 
answer, he the Engineer gave them to answer that the germans knoweth nothing 
about Such things, but he Soon run the Company Short of money and the works 
abandoned with the brick arches over, This failure of wheat took place in this 
time that, That gentleman had so plenty of the Companys money And it was a usual 
custom for the heads of the Town to meet on Saturdats, convers about matters and 
at a large and respectable meeting of Citicens and from they Surrounding 
neighborhood and the complaint of every one was that they were Suffering on 
account of bread the farmers raised not much Rye only for horse feed and the 
distileries and not accustomed to eat Rye bread but had to do So at that time, 
but reader you may guise or conject what bread it was They millers not know how 
to make rye flower and the woman not know how to bake rye bread, This gentlemen 
in their lamentation burst out Saying, I dont care a damm whether wheat grows or 
not I have to buy my bread.
      I have on page 7 made mention to give a detailed account of, and on 
account of that promise i Shall have to Say Something I had intented to give a 
cercumstantial detail of our coming to america but the time and circumsance dose 
hartlt alow me to do so, as i had to devote more time as i expected in respect 
of gathering information. At the first time i whent through the Township to 
gather information I took it on foot, A many one promised me to put in writing 
ans Send it to me But was generally nectlated and when came to record that what 
i had gathered I was obliged to be out on horseback for two weeks before i could 
git all the Satisfaction i desired which caused much troble and delay and every 
time i whent out took a Sheet of paper to record on which was the cause that i 
did not git everything in rowtation as had intented at first and often had to 
interline what i had wrote and have hardly time to look over the intire, i have 
write; to see if intirely correct, however i will Say Something on the head of 
the Subject and of my own knowlage Sence i came to this country. It must be 
familar to every intelligent reader to know that in urope, those that learn a 
trade by the laws and rools of that country compelled to travel wander three 
years after their apprenticeship. And when a boy i intened to learn a trade, and 
when about Seven years of age the Soldiers came back that where Send to america 
by The King of France to assist the revolutionists in american to obtain their 
independence and when they came home from america their acquaintences and 
relations surrounding them to hear the news that they had to relate concerning 
of all they had Seen, heard and known of america, I as a boy listeoned verry 
attendively and then formed a resolution That if ever i Should git to live to 
learn a trade, that then i would travel to the United States of america (here i 
must notice how it came that germans where Sent here by the french king), By the 
National Constitution of urope where all the monarchs of urope at the time it 
was framed affixed their names to; it then became the duty of the King of 
france, to keep 12 german Regiments in quarters and pays in france and to 
perform the Same duties as the french Soldiers did each regiment consisted of 
3000 men and by the name of the country or government they been chieldren from 
and when the King had consented to Send for that purpose there where Seven men 
drawn out of each regiment in france to complead the number he had promised, 
here reader please to recolect these twelve rigements where all children of that 
princes dominion whatever name it bore and this that i am speaking was the 
rigement of Saarbrook as the french term it, but the german term is  {-torn-} , 
and his title the house or family of Saarbrook; Saarbrook is likewise the name 
of the capital the princes residence (but now at this time no more, it belongs 
to the King of prussia) the prince of each dominion is allways their general 
commanter if the rigement is intire called to action and this rigement allways 
had their head quarters at Saarlanis 18 mile down the river from Saarbrook (Saar 
the name of the river and brook significe the bridge accross the river from St. 
John to Saarbrook, St. John was surrounted with a wall and drain fortification) 
about ten mile down the River from Saarlauis is the City Trier which was foundet 
two years before Rohm and the oldest town in urope, and when these men where to 
be Shipped one of them disserted and came home he was loged in the general gaurd 
house and next morning reported to head quarters, he the prince orthered him to 
be brought before him, this man's name was Jacob i never heard him been called 
by any other name but had a nickname attached, before, that which was; wistling 
Jacob, because he was allways marry hopping and wistling wherever he whent and 
when brought before the prince he Said, Jacob i thought i had Send you to 
america to fight, yes, replied Jacob, But your most pleasing highness, what 
Shall i go their for, to kill people or they me, they have not laid anything in 
my way nor I in theirs If they will face man for man before me I will Settle all 
amicable with them, The prince Struck, by this answer of Jacob; left him at 
liberty, where otherwise 6 balls in his head would to been the consequence, I 
must observe here that france had the right by that constitution to make use of 
the entire of these 12 rigements in time of war. The Emperor of austria had only 
the right top draught a certain number when he was engaged in war providing 
france was not a party engaged, however it came to pase, that in the Spring of 
1793 my father and 7 families more left for america on account of the then 
french revolution, had they french armies in quarters for six monthes previous 
Father Henry Sheeder and Clemens Rentgen Steel factorers had received letters 
two years before that time and one Shortly before they left of the Misses Pott's 
and Hopert from Pottsgrove. They intented and promised them to erect a forge for 
them to make german Steel in this country, They would to never left urope, if it 
had not been for those flattering letters, Hillarious Baker then Major of the 
Citty a german and Brotherinlaw of Mr. Hopert use to write the letters for them, 
we arrived at Philadelphia in october of the first Sickness and the five 
families been put to boarding with another Brother in law of Mr. Hopert, I think 
his name was Yeates he had left the City and resited on his country Seat at the 
lower ferry, two weeks till wagons been Sent by the Misses Pottses & Hopert to 
bring them to Vincent Township, where they then been at erecting works first a 
Slitting mill which was under roof when we arrived and as father entented me to 
be his Jurneman to make Steel had; learned the Tailor trade before leving urope, 
here we all working at erecting Stabling and forge to macke Steel but the Misses 
Pottses & Hopert had Just Such a millright as the union cannal Company had an 
Engineer, The came over from Pottstown allmost every Saturday to See how we 
where coming on there been from 35 to 40 hands at work and from the time the 
foundation for the Steel works been Staked off and allmost every time after the 
Pottses & Hopert came over to See how coming on Father and Rentgen Spoke to them 
and Cautioned them not to permit that millright to go on us he had becon for it 
would never do to make Steel in Such a thing as this Sumet to be one, none of 
our folks culd talk to the Pottsrs as the did not Speak german but Mr. Hopert 
did, but not as fluent as the english and they then allways Spoke to Mr. Hopert 
and Mr. Hopert's answer allways was, To only be Satisfied that they had a wise 
and engenious millright and he would make all right; here are Mr. Hoperts words 
in german, Meister Schieder sein sie nur zugfrieden wier haben einen kliigen und 
gescheideu man der wird alles güt machen.
      yes, was the reply of father and Rentgen, He will emty your purs for you 
and then you will git to See, however father and Rentgen as in progress of the 
building the plainer the could See that there was no prospect for them to make a 
kivelihood by their trade They more urchent they been pressing the cause to the 
before named gentlemen and allways been put off by the Same answer and at last 
been told that they had Surity for the millright to do every thing to answer 
then they tould the gentlemen that the millright had never Seen a german Steel 
factory and that They could never expect of him erecting one When at last the 
millright pronounced it finished the Pottses & Hopert had notice to be present 
and See it go in opporation father objected of drawing gate They requested him 
to State his reason he was quick of telling them he first Stated to them that 
all Mashinery that was fixet to convey the wind to the furnace and if that even 
would answer none of the rest would answer however at last they prevailed on 
father to draw gate the millright had his horse rady and Saddid and off he whent 
like wind and i never heard of they ever got to See him again; father at last 
drew gate but in less than no time They gentlemen been convinced of their error 
They got it oaltered So as to make Some Tons of raw Steel i left and whent to 
Philadelphia to work at my trade and father and Rentgen left Some time after, 
Ifit was not for the posterity to know where, and that, german Steel had been 
manufactored in this country and in this Township I Should not to made any 
mention about it and was brought to perfection but not here on the Pottses 
works, The Pottses turned these works to make or forge iron and was carried on 
for Some fifteen years and Clement Rentgen purchased it but never whentin 
opporation and lays idle evesince, father was endused by Jacob Lesher deceased 
late of Pottstown to come to him he would erect Steel works for him the place 
where them works been erected was called, long Swamp Macuntia Township Berks 
County now Trezlers iron works father whent and the works been erected to all 
Satisfaction and father made Steel at that place for Som 6 or 9 months but the 
Stream too light near the head of the little lehigh and on that account could 
not be kept in opporation i think it was in the year 1795 or 6 that his Jurneman 
got Sick and he sent me a letter to come and take his place I accordingly did 
and in September father quit on account of the insufficiency of the water. 
Lesher turned it into an Iron forge, to forge iron takes but about half the 
water as Steel this requires more wind and to quarter the first lump out of the 
furnace is sbout 4 times as large & heavier an iron lump, and carried under the 
hammer by a Crane or Swivel and the lump hammered tough and cut into four equal 
pieces before it can be worked into bars, and when this process was in 
opporation the head of the water was gone, then Mr. Eckerd at the musilum above 
Reading turned his forge into a Steel forge and bought of Lesher the Tackling 
and father whent there and worked Some time and for Some cause i believe it was 
the purse that failed to keep it in opperation; in the meantime Clement Rentgen 
whent to Cristopher Haus at french creek Nantmil Township and Knauer erected a 
tilt for him where he factured Shovels Spads and hoes and their he invented to 
make the round Bar iron obtained a petent and could not suply the demand for 
that article, he was not able to Suply with one tilt and in the year 1804 or 
there about purchased a Site of Samuel Hirsh where the royal Spring emties into 
french creek and erected a tilt and other Sufficient buildings to carry on two 
Tilts as Soon the house was finished him and family moved here and put Peter 
grund to the one he had moved from to carry on the business in Rentgen's name by 
paying him Thirty dollars for every ton he would or could make Rentgen had all 
the trouble to see from where the Bar iron could be got to pay for and to Send 
an invoice with the Teams that hauled the iron and to git the mony for the same 
to pay to Peter grund for his work the rent to Knauer for which Rentgen was good 
for and Rentgen then had five dollars per ton for all that grund made for him. i 
have to remark here that when Rentgen had bought a place for himself he tould 
Mr. Knauer that he Should not be uneasy about loosing his rent that he would 
Still pay him his Rent if his tilt would lay idle or do business and tould him 
that he was going to put P. grund there to carry the business on for him and 
under his direction Peter grund was an apprentice to Rentgen in germany and 
worked three years Juneman with him before coming here, Rentgen brought him 
along to be his Juneman here but as their buisness did not  prosper Ground in 
the mean time had learned the blacksmith trade and followed it at this time when 
Rentgen put him to this tilt, Mr. Knauer Begrudged Rentgen the five dollars and 
persuated grund to make the iron and take it to Philadelphia himself and Sel it 
and put thim five dollars in his own pocket ground took Knauers adwise and done 
So then whent to Phila. his tilt Stood idle and when come home had to go from 
forge to forge to See where to git bars and pay for and Sold his iron in Town 
for the Same that Rentgen had paid him, Rentgen called on them to git them not 
to persist in their pursuit but of no avail Rentgen was compelled to have a 
notice Served on them by the united States Marshal and when he had executed the 
dutys of his office on grund and Knauer Knauer Said that he did regard that 
paper for not more as to .    .    .    ., Knauer had the trial putt off Several 
times and when at last comon got grund to be a witness and grund gave testemony 
that Rentgen had not been the inventor of making of the round iron for he had 
learned his trade with him in urope and rentgen losr the Suit and his patent was 
void by the laws of our country. Reader now recollect its a fact that Peter 
grund learned his trade with Rentgen in germany but that was refining Steel, 
from the first opporation its in a raw State for no perticular use us, to lay 
plough irons with, for in some places in a bar it will when cold brake like 
glass and at an other as tough as iron, And in the time rentgen worked at 
Knauers he refined for the Pottses that raw Steel that father made at the 
Vincent works; Peter grund came to Rentgen which is quit bright to my recolution 
and him nor Rentgen never heard or Seen of any round iron been made as that by a 
blacksmith, But i often heard Rentgen relating that he had, ahd a brother many 
years in advance of him that had been the invender of drawing the wire and those 
factories in germany are called Draftzug which is wire drawer, after all this 
troble and waist time Rentgen Invented of the roling the round iron but never 
applid for a patent on account of Knauer expresed himself; However this rolling 
of the round iron flew like wind to england and the marked Soon over Stoked and 
Rentgens works are idle eversince Rentgen then invented the making of Cannon and 
crape Shot of as Smooth as ever a Small Shot was factored He sent two boxes to 
Washington for examination and inspection The war department approved of them, 
but he got no further incoragement, and of this process the world is ignorant of 
excepting the two Surviving Sons Christian and Peter Rentgen, So these 
inventions all had their origin of this one man in the neighborhood of Vincent 
at French creek in Chester County and the old Lady lives with her three children 
in Vincent and the owner of all the old gentleman's property and here the old 
gentleman deceased. A Mr. Voigt or Vocht; The head of the United States Mint at 
Phila. pronounced the Steel that was made here better as ever any had com from 
urope They then used none but german Steel for the die to coin. Mathew Davis his 
request continued and by the request made to him by Dr. Andrew Bush, by an Note 
hanted by him to me to State That in the year 1810 general William Brooke of 
Darby Delaware County had called at his house, David'es and desired him to take 
a walk with him the general, to Pidgon creek a Short distance from his house and 
when we came to where Custards mill now Stands he the general tould me that, 
That was the place where his grandfather had intented to Settle his family Then 
lived at Roxborrough Township Phila. County That then left home with a pair of 
horsies and a man to assist him falling timber to erect a Sawmill on this Spot, 
they becan cutting and as they were cuting at a tree The man quit cuting Mr. 
Brooke asked him why he quit cuting, he Said that he was afraid the tree would 
fall on him and kill him, he was tould that he could See how the tree would 
fall, he then cut a few Strokes and quit and expressing himself in the Same 
manner Mr. Brooke tould him to go out of the way and he would fall the tree 
himself, he whent as he thought out of danger The tree fell and Sprung a Saplin 
which throwed a limb and killed him, So Mr. Brooke left the place and never 
returned again to Settle here but afterwards Settled in Limrick Township. I had 
Says Mr. Davis related this circumstance to Some of my neighbors and when D. 
Custard was diging out for his works, the bones of a person been found and some 
thought that they probable been the bones of that person, end of Mathew Davis 
Esqr. Here i now give the promised anecdote of page 17. The fall of when general 
Jackson the first time run for president, about two weeks before the Election I 
been at West Chester and wile there general Barnhard came thrice to me to 
converse with me and in the thirth conversation, he made mention of how much he 
had assisted tp improve West Chester and made mention of the number of houses 
and builtings he caused to been erected and made mention of the Sum of his tax 
amounted to a year And then Said to me That he had understood that i was 
contributing a great 'ell to improve the country that i lived in I answered him 
that i thought was doing my Share and then asked me how much tax I was paying 
per year i answered, i had not counted up, but was double that he had Said that 
he pays Then asked how many builting I had erected i answered him that i would 
have to count first and counted twenty two with roofs on besides others that had 
no roofs on them; The time i been with Jesse Brumback and when he hanted me the 
Coppy of his great grandfather's will, he the same time tould me that he would 
let me have his fathers Journall That he had kept when out in the western 
expedition, I refused exepting of it by telling him that i had allways had 
considered that A disgrace to the State and the less observation would be made 
of The better, and likewise tould him that whenever i had been in conversation 
when this Subject came to be a topic That then i had allways in the following 
manner expressed myself: That good democrats Should to never from that time out 
Tasted a trop of wisky; I been the first church man in these parts of the 
country That refused giving liquors to workmen as i could persive no good derive 
from giving it and never made it a custom to use it out in the field in 
haymaking and harvasting but the paid the hands 12½ cts. more wages to buy it 
themselfs But i never followed that custom when i quit I did quit, Then at times 
when i asked hands to help me harvesting Some would ask me, do you give liquor 
No was the answer Then the reply was Than i Shant help you And then reasoning 
with him on the Subject that, That was leading the working folks to their 
destruction here and to come, and so got a maney a one confess and others could 
not, See or at least did pertend not to See and to them i Said that if i could 
not git my hay and grain in without wisky That then i would Sooner See it rot on 
the field, and from time to time It was abandoned giving liquor in the fields 
and i believe there are but two in these parts that give it to this day. I never 
begrudged a man taking a dram as is generally termed But making beasts of 
themselves I could never approve of, and can Safely Say that i never brought one 
quart of any kind of Liquor to my house for my own use and allways cautioned 
those that made a general use of it, to desist of using it, when i first Settled 
here i may Safely say that one thirth of the inhabitants of this Township did 
not attent to any worship but baccus bacchanels, but must Say to the Credit of 
but few That a great change has taken place in my time respecting refinement and 
where we meet at numborous gatherings we observe but few blooding faces like 
wild bullocks as in former times, in those times people could hardly gather 
anywhere but some had to go home with brased and bloddy faces They did not 
considered a meeting honorable where was no fighting took place to have 
Something to talk about thereafter and even in tghe harvastimes there was no 
funn to talk about if it came off without a fight, or from one two or three 
laying in the fance corner long before night and when came to Supper to take 
first a dram when even they had too much allrady and then again after Supper to 
take a Starting dram we read that after god had created all and cast over it 
all, he had formed he pronounced it all good and then gave direction how people 
to make use of all he had made and created and all to their benefit, but not to 
their destruction.
      Now as to give you an account of the number of Inhabitants &c., You can 
best be furnished with, by making application to the County Commissioners which 
would be more correct as i could be able to do; And if anything in this report 
is represented reprehensive, then draw a black lime over the Same and if 
anything lacking as to intelligibly if you inform me of I will try to rectify 
the Same.

      Respectfully yours &c.,

                                          Frederick Sheeder

      East Vincent, at Sheeders industry, February 18the 1846

Transcribed from:
     The Pennsylvania Gazette
             of the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
               by
     George S. Robinson, Jr.
      West Vincent Township
       1 September, 1993