History: Local: Chapters XLVI - XLVII: Boroughs of Lansdale and Norristown - Part I : Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters

USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals
               and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices
               and submitter information is included.  Any other use,
               including copying files to other sites requires
               permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to
               any other sites.  We encourage links to the state and
               county table of contents.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/montgomery/beantoc.htm 

URL of html Table of Contents and illustrations.

¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼

                           BEAN'S  HISTORY  OF

                     MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼¼

742 (cont.)


                            CHAPTER XLVI.

                        BOROUGH OF LANSDALE.

  THE.  borough of Lansdale was incorporated August 24, 1872, and is
situated on the line of the townships of Gwynedd and Hatfield, and close to
the angles of Montgomery and Towamencin.  It has an area of two hundred and
sixty-nine acres, of which one hundred and forty-five were taken from
Gwynedd and one hundred and twenty-four from Hatfield.  Its form is regular
and its principal streets are Broad, Main, Chestnut, Walnut, Second and
Courtland.  Nature and art have combined in beautifying this favored spot in
Montgomery County.  It is situated on a ridge and has every advantage of
pure air, easy surface drainage and a widely-extended view of the fertile
valleys, rolling uplands and distant woods of the surrounding country.  The
residents of the borough are progressive and industrious, and take a
laudable local pride hi the construction and beautifying of their homes,
many being built in the cottage style, while when surrounded with flowers,
trailing-vines, shrubbery and ornamental plants, present a picture of real
beauty and comfort.

    The town is supplied by water pumped from a three-hundred-foot artesian
well.  The water company is in a flourishing condition.

    The North Pennsylvania Railroad passes through the centre of the 
place and the station here is twenty-one and seven-tenths miles from
Philadelphia.  The Doylestown Branch of said railroad (opened October 9,
1856), ten and two-thirds miles long, commences, here, and the Stony Creek
Railroad, starting at Main Street Norristown ten and three-tenth miles
distant, forms a junction at this place with both of said roads.  These
lines meeting here make it an important railroad centre, and contribute to
its business prosperity.

    Several industries of considerable importance are located here, the
extensive agricultural works of Heebner & Sons towering above all the rest,
and owing to their enterprise and superior workmanship, they have carried
the name of Lansdale almost to the remotest ends of the earth.

    The present number of inhabitants of this borough is about twelve hundred
and the number of taxables three hundred and five, with a real estate
valuation of $478,765.

    There are
two drug-stores
two confectioneries
two stove-stores
one jeweler
one dealer in live stock
two in lumber
two in boots and shoes
two in coal
two in flour and feed
four in merchandise
three in meat
two in furniture
one in cigars and tobacco
one in hardware
two in agricultural implements.


    The first church edifice erected in Lansdale was the Methodist Episcopal. 
It was built of stone, thirty-six by fifty-five feet, in 1871, completed in
the following year and dedicated July 14th, in that year.  It at present has
ninety members.  The pastors who have served the church are as follows

Revs H. U. Sebring
Amos Johnson
Robert McIlwaine
S. 0. Garretson
William H. Smith
H. S. Isett
Eli E. Burrowes
William H. Shafer and the present pastor, 
Rev. J. G. Bickerton.

     THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH at Lansdale is located adjoining the borough
limits, and was built of brick, forty-six by sixty feet, in 1875.  The
church was organized in that year, and is united in charge with the
Hatfield Evangelical Church.  The pastors have been
Revs. Shoemaker
John Ziegenfuss
William Heil
F. Kracker
Rev. Leonard Noble, the present pastor.

The church has a membership of about forty.

    THE REFORMED CHURCH was organized in 1877, and in that year erected a brick
church edifice, forty by sixty feet.  The pulpit was filled for two years by
the Rev. Jacob Kehm and Rev. A. B. Koplin.  In 1879 the Rev. H. F. Seipel was 
called to the pastorate, and served until April, 1884.  The present pastor is 
Rev. J. J. Rothrock.  The church has about eighty members.

    THE ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, located about half a mile from
Lansdale, is of brick and was built in 1878.  It has a seating capacity of
about two hundred.  The pastors have been the Rev. Henry Stomel and the
present pastor, the Rev. Joseph A. Winter.  The church was supplied for two
or three years from Bethlehem.

    THE BAPTIST CHURCH at the place was built in the fall of 1884, from plans
and specification, furnished by Palissier, Palissier & Co., of Bridgeport,
Conn.  The society is under the care of the North Wales Baptist Church, of
which the Rev. J. A. Aldred is pastor.  The first service held in the church
was on Sunday, February 8, 1885.  The church edifice is built of brick,
thirty-five by forty-six feet, and cost three thousand five hundred
dollars.  The chapel was dedicated March 11, 1885.  The introductory sermon
was delivered by the Rev. Dr. William Cathcart, and the dedicatory sermon
by the Rev. Dr. John Peddie, of Philadelphia.

743

    THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, of Gwynedd, organized a mission in Lansdale
February 8, 1885, with twenty-six communicants.  A lot of ground has been
pledged and it is the intention to build as soon as possible.

    There are four public schools in the borough, with a term of nine months,
and two hundred and twenty-three pupils in attendance.  Four teachers are
employed, one at a salary of fifty dollars per month, one at thirty-eight
dollars and two at thirty dollars a month.  

    The first election for borough officers occurred in September, 1872.  The 
following is a list of the burgesses from that time to the present:

1872, A. B. Hickman

1873, David S. Heebner

1875, John Kindig

1876-79, David S. Heebner

1880-81, Oliver M. Evans

1882-83-84, William D. Heebner

1885, William H. Fuhr.


                          BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

                             JACOB S. GELLER.

    Jacob S. Geller is of German descent, his father, Henry Geller,
immigrating to this country when quite young, and locating at
Skippackville, Pa., where be died in the spring of 1874, aged sixty-one
years.  His wife was Mary Stoll, born in Trumbaursville, Bucks Co., Pa., and
is still living.  Mr. Geller was a farmer and dealer in wood and woodlands.




                  PICTURE OF JACOB S. GELLER, APPEARS HERE.




    Jacob S. Geller, the subject of this sketch, was born in Perkiomen Township, 
Montgomery Co., July 3, 1846.  Until young Geller was sixteen years of age he
lived at home, except two summers, when he lived with Anthony S. Heebner,
assisting his father on the farm and in the wood business, attending school
occasionally, and not caring as much for books as he did for a fine
Pennsylvania Dutch team of four or six horses.

    October 27, 1862, he engaged with D. H. Anders to take charge of what is
popularly known in this section of country as a "commission wagon," where
he remained about two years.  This was really his first schooling, for in
that business it became necessary for him to read and write and keep
accounts.  After serving two years he engaged with N. H. Anders of Palm
Station, in the same business, and remained two years, when Anders sold his
business, and Geller then engaged with A. K. Frick, a grocer of
Philadelphia, where he remained but a short time, and returned to the
parental roof.

    January 1, 1866, without any capital, young Geller purchased of D. H.
Anders his commission route, team and fixtures, and commenced business for
himself and on February 18, 1867, sold out, and on March 25, 1867, he
engaged with John Herst, of Pennsberry, to work on a commission wagon at a
good salary, but not satisfied with that, preferring a business of his own,
on July 9, 1867, purchased of Franklin Rodenberger, of Hoppinsville, this
county, his commission route, team and fixtures, which he operated for two
years, or until November 14, 1868, when he sold out to Charles Roth, and
established a route at Skippackville, which he kept for about one year,
when he met with an accident, having his arm broken by a runaway horse,
after which he sold out and engaged with Jonathan Wonsitler, of Doylestown,
where he remained but a short time, when he repurchased of Charles Roth
January 15, 1870, the old Hoppinsville commission route, which, by the
advice of a friend, who said, "If you do good, let better alone," he kept
till the spring of 1873, when he purchased the Hoppinsville store
property, together with eighteen acres of land of Mrs. David Cristman,
taking possession July 9, 1873.  Here he commenced the mercantile business
in a small way, in an old store building, twenty by thirty feet, purchasing
the stock and fixtures of B. H. Roth.

744

    March 17, 1875, he sold the stock and fixtures to B. H. Roth, and
purchased, April 1, 1875, the stock and fixtures of Lyman Rosenberger, at
Kulpsville, and here established another commission route.  In the spring of
1876 he purchased the Hoppinsville store property at sheriff's sale, and in
April of that year stocked the store, and run that and the Kulpsville store
till January, 1877, when he sold the Kulpsville store, stock and fixtures
to Messrs. Krupp & Cassel, and in Judy, 1877, sold the Hoppinsville stock
and fixtures to M. H. Massey, of Philadelphia.

    In July, 1878, he purchased of John Kindig his Lansdale property,
consisting of building lots, store and fixtures, and removed the old one-
story building and erected the present large and commodious three-story
store and dwelling, and in the fall of 1878 commenced the mercantile
business, with two clerks, and has continued to increase his business until
he now (1885) employs ten clerks in his store, and carries the largest
stock of goods found in any store in Montgomery County.

    In the spring of 1884, finding his mammoth store too small for the
increased business, he rented three floors and basement of the Godshall
block, adjoining his own store, and stocked the same with furniture,
carpets and undertaker's ware, which he still occupies.

    Mr. Geller is one of the progressive men of the age, giving his time and
means for the advancement of every enterprise or interest that has for its
object the growth and improvement of the borough of Lansdale or the
bettering, of the condition of his fellow-men.

    He is an active member of the Wentz German Reformed Church, and has been a
member of the Borough Council for two terms, and postmaster of Lansdale
since November 6, 1878, when be was appointed by Postmaster-General David M.
Key.  He was also postmaster at Hoppinsville and at Kulpsville while he had
a store it each of these places.  He was one of the original members of the
Lansdale Water-Works Company, and has been one of its directors since its
organization.  He was married, February 6, 1868, to Miss Isabella H.,
daughter of Washington and Margaret Crater, of Skippackville, Montgomery
Co., Pa.  They have one daughter, Mary Maggie, born March 31, 1870.


                                SETH L. SCHOLL

    In the year 1778, George and John Scholl emigrated from Germany and came
to America, John locating in Virginia, while George, who was a saddler and
harness-maker by occupation, enlisted in the Continental army as a saddler,
and served to the close of the war; his little family in the mean time
resided in the vicinity of Philadelphia.  At the close of the war he went
up into what was then called the wilderness, on Branch Creek, near where
Trumbaursville is now located, and took up a tract of three hundred acres
of land, and there raised a family of children, one of whom was Michael
Scholl, born December 1, 1784, and was the grandfather of Seth L. Scholl,
of Lansdale.

    Michael married, July 12, 1807, Mary, daughter of Conrad Hoot, of what
is now North Wales, then Gwynedd township, and died February 25, 1858.  Mary
Hoot was born October 7, 1789, and died March 25, 1870.  Michael Scholl and
wife, were both buried in Wentz Reformed Church Cemetery, on the Skippack
road, above Centre Point.  They had children,-
Jacob
Margaret
Catharine
Henry (born July 25, 1816, in Germantown, Pa.)
Matilda
George
Matilda
Elizabeth.

Of the above children, Henry married, December 1, 1839, Mary Ann, daughter
of Andrew and Eustina Lake, of the city of Philadelphia.  Mary Ann Lake was
born October 5, 1820.  Their children were,-
Maria, born Tenth Month 5, 1840, married John F. Ambler, and now a resident
of Lansdale.
Seth L. born Tenth Month 8, 1842, married, June 7, 1866 to Miss Ann
Catharine Ambler, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ambler, of Blue Bell,
Whitpain township.
Frederick, born April 23, 1644, married Louessa, daughter of Seth Good,
December 5, 1872; Louessa Good, born October 13, 1849.

Franklin, born February 9, 1846 married, May 16, 1874, Miss Sarah Beck, who
was born June 18, 1856.

Sarah born in 1848, died unmarried. ____ 1870.

Elizabeth born January 31, 1851, married October 6, 1870, to Henry L. Beck
Henry L Beck was born September 1850.

Henry L. Scholl was born May 1, 1854, married to Miss Letitia R. Pownall

745

    Seth L. and Ann Catharine Scholl are the parents of children, as follows:
Benjamin A., born April 7, 1867; 
Henry 0., born February 16, 1869; 
Horace Linwood, born January 12, 1871, died September 17, 1872; 
Ida May, born November 5, 1872; 
Mary Ella, born June 11, 1878.

    John Ambler, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Seth L. Scholl, was born Fifth
Month 8, 1783, died Fourth Month 9, 1859.  He married Ann Morgan, who was
born Fifth Month 8, 1784, and died Fourth Month 4, 1863.  Their children were 
Thomas, 
Benjamin, 
Chalkley, 
Joseph, 
John and 
David (twins), 
Septimus,
Letitia and 
Sarah, 
Benjamin Ambler, father of Mrs. Scholl, was born in
Montgomery township, Montgomery Co., Pa., Ninth Month 3, 1810, married,
Third Mouth 1, 1838, Mary, daughter of John and Catharine Fitzgerald.  Their
children are 
John F., born Seventh Month 12, 1840, married, First Month 28, 1864, Maria Scholl.  
Ann Catharine, wife of Seth L. Scholl, born Fifth Month 30, 1842.  
Thomas Elwood, born Eleventh Mouth 30, 1843, married, Sixth Month
20, 1867, to Harriet E. Makens.  
Benjamin Morgan, born Sixth Month 13, 1846, married, Third Month 5, 1868, 
to Elizabeth Street.

    John Fitzgerald, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Seth L. Scholl, was born
Seventh Mouth 4, 1791, died Twelfth Month 4, 1872.  His wife, Catharine, was
born Ninth Month 9, 1790, and died Seventh Month 14, 1872.

    Seth L. Scholl is what is commonly termed a self-made man.  He was born on
the farm then owned by James White, and occupied in 1885 by his grandson,
James Winfield White.  His educational advantages were quite limited,
although belonging to one of the oldest families of the vicinity of what is
now Lansdale.  At the age of eleven years he commenced his labors in a
brick-yard, and assisted in making the first brick made at Lansdale, now
one of the large industries of the town, and of which he is the most
extensive manufacturer in Lansdale.  By industry and perseverance he grew up
with the business, became master of the art and in due time became the
owner of a large landed estate in and adjoining the town of Lansdale, and
has thus far been prominently identified with all the progressive movements
of the young and thriving town.




                PICTURE OF SETH SCHOLL, APPEARS HERE.




    He was a member of the first Town Council of the borough of Lansdale, and
has been a member of its school board.  He is one of the original members of
St. John's Reformed Church of Lansdale, and for several years one of its
deacons.  He has been a

746

member of the order of I. 0. of 0. F. since 1864, passed through the chairs
and is also a Member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania; also
a member of the I. 0. of Red Men.  He has resided in Lansdale for forty-one
years, a much longer period than any other present resident of the town. 
He is the patentee and only manufacturer in the United States of the 
"Locomotive Snow Broom," made of hickory wood, and his sales extend to all
countries where railroads are in operation.  He is also quite an extensive
manufacturer of cigar-boxes of all sizes and grades.




                PICTURE OF WILLIAM RICHARDSON, APPEARS HERE.




                            WILLIAM RICHARDSON.

    William Richardson, son of William and Mary Richardson, is a native of
Philadelphia, Pa., and was born in that city January 1, 1822.  Prior to and
including his sixteenth year his life was spent at home, and for a short
time in what was known at that time as a "pay school" in Gaskill Street,
and subsequently at a public school in Front Street.  At the age of sixteen
years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and
faithfully served his time with his master in the old Southwark district. 
While serving his time as an apprentice he attended Mr. Benjamin Lewis'
school, at his own expense, where he learned, among other things, the art
or profession of drafting.

    After serving his time, or at the age of twenty-one years, he was engaged
as a journey-man carpenter for three years.  He then established business
for himself, which he conducted nearly or quite three years, then one year
at journeyman's work, when he again established business for himself, which
he continued till 1859, when be moved to Montgomery township, Montgomery
Co., Pa., where he purchased a farm.  Here he carried on both farming and
the carpenter and builder's trade for thirteen years, when his health
failed, on account of which he was compelled to relinquish the agricultural
branch of his business, sold his farm and removed to his present place of
residence, adjacent to the borough of Lansdale.

    Mr. Richardson has, since in active service for him, been one of the
progressive men of the age; first and foremost in any and all improvements
tending to advance the interests of the community in which he has dwelt.  He
was one of the originators, and one of the board of directors of the
Lansdale Water-Works, which is a lasting monument to its projectors.  When
there was a prospect for building up the town of Lansdale he became one
of the projectors of and president of two building associations.  Another
worthy enterprise found in him a strong supporter, viz.: "The Lansdale
Cemetery Association," of which he is president.  In 1875 he was elected a
justice of the peace for the township of Montgomery, a position he has
adorned and still occupies.

    He was married, January 23, 1849, to Miss Margaret (born October 24,
1831), daughter of Jacob and Mary Shields, of the old district of
Southwark.  Their children are
William E., born September 23, 1849, married, June 30, 1877, to Miss Mary
B. Thompson

Jacob Shields, born March 12, 1851, died November 1, 1851

George, born June 12, 1852, died December 4, 1852

Mary Jane, born July 17, 1854, married, January 21, 1879, to Daniel Koch, of
Lansdale

Anna Loage, born February 10, 1857, married, December 7, 1881, to Charles
J. Wheeler, of Lansdale

Maggie Shields, born June 9, 1859, married, December 8, 1883, to Samuel
Ryner, of Line Lexington, Montgomery Co., Pa.

Clara Virginia, born December 18, 1862

Harry, born April 24, 1866; Edmund, born September 23, 1869

Lilly May, born April 26, 1875, died January 18, 1876.

747


                              CHAPTER XLVII.

                          BOROUGH OF NORRISTOWN.

                              By Wm. J. Buck

    THE borough of Norristown is situated on the east side of the Schuylkill
River, about sixteen miles northwest of Philadelphia, and is the seat of
justice for Montgomery County.  Since the extension of its limits in 1853 it
is nearly two miles square, and contains an area of about two thousand
three hundred acres, divided into seven wards.  Its front on the river is
fully two miles, and extends back from the same a distance of from one and
a half to two miles, and is bounded on the north, northeast and northwest
by Norriton township southeast by Plymouth, and on the south and southwest
by the Schuylkill.  It was erected into a borough by an act of Assembly,
passed March 31, 1812, with an area of five hundred and twenty acres, and
all its territory has been taken from Norriton, with the exception of about
one hundred and fifty-eight acres from Plymouth township in 1853.

    Its surface is rolling, and that part on which the town is principally
situated enjoys an elevated site, from the rear of which an extensive view
is obtained of the fine scenery of the Schuylkill Valley.  Both adjacent to
and in the vicinity of the town the soil is excellent.  Norristown combines
from its situation great advantages, and in this respect few towns are so
favored.  It is remarkably healthy, its location beautiful, its water
excellent and its neighborhood unsurpassed in the quality and abundance of
its marble, iron and limestone.  Within its limits two streams enter the
Schuylkill.  The larger is Stony Creek, which has its source in Whitpain
Township, and is seven miles in length, two of which are in the borough. 
This stream, with its branches, propels six grist-mills, two saw-mills,
besides several manufactories.  Saw-Mill Run rises also in Whitpain, and is
four miles in length, and in its course propels a clover-mill, grist and
saw-mill, besides several manufacturing establishments.

    As may be expected from a town so advantageously situated, and, above
all, having an enterprising population, it has rapidly advanced.  According
to the census of 1820, it contained 827 inhabitants; in 1830, 1089; in
1840, 2937, in 1850, 6024; in 1860, 8848; in 1870, 10,753; and in
1880, 13,163.  The real estate for taxable purposes in 1882 was valued at
$6,310,263.  For that year 3934 taxables were returned, possessing property
assessed at $6,774,473, the average per taxable being $1722, while in
Norriton township it is $2834; Plymouth, $2804; Whitpain, $3443; and in
Lower Providence, $3553.  In May, 1883, the borough contained 281 licensed
retailers and dealers, besides 29 hotels, 13 restaurants, 8 liquor-stores
and two breweries.  The stores in 1840 numbered only 14; in 1858, 108
and in 1876, 193.  In 1790 it contained 18 houses; in 1832, 161; in
1850, 1006; and in 1860, 1662 dwellings occupied by 1673 families.  It has
also attained considerable importance as a manufacturing town, having 10
cotton and woolen-factories, 2 furnaces, 2 rolling-mills, 3 foundries and
iron-works, 2 tack-works, 2 shirt and 2 hosiery-factories, 3 lumber and
planing-mills, 2 merchant flour-mills, oil-works, glass-works gleaner and
binder-works, besides numerous minor establishments.

    Owing to the increase of population an act of Assembly was passed
February 8, 1847, authorizing the authorities of the borough to divide it
into what was called the Upper and Lower Wards.  It thus remained until the
passage of the act of 1852, when it was divided into the Upper, Middle and
Lower Wards.  According to the act of Assembly, passed May 12, 1871, it was
further divided into First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards.  This
power having now been vested in the Court of Quarter Sessions for the
county, the latter confirmed December 22, 1881, and an additional ward was
formed from the first three, to be called the Sixth Ward.  Three
commissioners were appointed by the authority of the Court, who on May 20,
1884, divided the First Ward and formed from it the Seventh, which is to
comprise all the territory within the borough limits westward of Chain
Street, as it extends from the Schuylkill northwards to Elm.

    PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.  -The various improvements leading to or through this
borough have contributed much to its prosperity.  In the order of time, the
first that may be mentioned is the Ridge turnpike, leading from
Philadelphia to Perkiomen bridge, twenty-four miles in length, and passing
through the borough on Main or Egypt Street for two Miles.  The Schuylkill
Canal and Navigation was commenced in

748

1816, and was sufficiently completed in 1818 to admit the descent of a few
boats; but it was not until about 1826 that the whole line went into
operation.  The company constructed a dam here of nine hundred feet width
between the abutments, which in 1830 was raised to its present height, and
is the means of furnishing valuable water-power to several manufacturing
establishments.  In consequence of the enlargement in 1846, boats of two
hundred tons burden pass through it and can unload coal, grain and lumber
in the place.

    The bridge over the Schuylkill at De Kalb Street was commenced in the
spring of 1829, and by September was so far completed as to admit persons
on foot to pass over.  It was built by an incorporated company in 1830, at a
cost of thirty-one thousand two hundred dollars, and commenced taking toll
January 9th of said year.  It is eight hundred feet in length, and, with the
abutments, ten hundred and fifty feet.  The first president was
Mathias Roberts
Joseph Thomas, treasurer
Thomas H. Jolly, secretary;
William Le Barrow, builder and contractor.
It has since been rebuilt, the County holding stock in it to the amount of
twenty-three thousand dollars.  Owing to the extensive travel over it and
the great amount of receipts derived from toll, the subject of making it
free or building a new bridge commenced to be agitated more than thirteen
years ago by numerous citizen, residing on both sides the river,
particularly those in Bridgeport and Upper Merion, who were from the force
of their circumstances the more interested.  Strange to say, through clever
ingenuity, an act of Assembly was passed in 1872, of general application,
prohibiting the building of any bridge across the same stream within the
distance of three thousand feet of a toll-bridge already erected.  When a new
bridge bad been proposed this act was brought to public attention, and,
as may be well expected, such legislation created no little astonishment.  A
Free Bridge Association was now organized, and after a long and severe
struggle triumphed, and the bridge declared free October 13, 1884, the
county taking it in charge.

    The State road in the borough, called De Kalb Street, was laid out in
1830, forty feet wide, from New Hope, on the Delaware, to the Maryland
line.

    The Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad Company was
incorporated by an act of Assembly passed February 17, 1831.  It was
commenced that year, and was opened from the city to Germantown June 6,
1832, in what would now be considered a novel manner: namely, by nine cars,
or rather carriages, each drawn by one horse in shafts, and containing
twenty passengers inside, and sixteen outside, making in all three hundred
and twenty-four guests.  This was in reality a passenger railway upwards of
fifty-two years ago.  What is equally singular, the road was opened in a
similar manner to Manayunk October 18, 1834.  Saturday, August 15, 1835, was
a great day in Norristown.  The road was now completed, and the opening was
to be duly celebrated.  Two trains of cars, each drawn by locomotive,
started from the depot, corner of Ninth and Green Streets.  Philadelphia, at
twelve o'clock, well laden with invited guests.  The locomotives were gayly
dressed with flag-sand a band of music enlivened the way, and the only
stoppage was made at Mannyunk.  The approach to Norristown, as well as the
ride along the entire way, was one continued triumph.  Cheers and shouts of
welcome were heard in all directions, while the waving of handkerchiefs
expressed the congratulations of the fair.  Thousands collected together to
behold for the first time the iron horses, and gazed on them with wonder. 
For this occasion the company erected a large tent in the borough, near the
river's bank, where three hundred and fifty guests sat down to a sumptuous
banquet.  This road, with its branch to Germantown, is twenty-one miles in
length, and cost one million eight hundred and eleven thousand dollars. 
About 1856 the company built a large depot in the borough, on the corner of
Mill and Washington streets, and laid the entire road with a double track,
and later built the Main Street Station.  This improvement extends through
Montgomery County somewhat over seven miles.  The Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad Company leased the road December 1, 1870, and also the works of
the Navigation Company, July 12th previously, since which time they have
operated both.

    The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, which is on the opposite side of
the river and extends to Pottsville, was opened the whole distance in 1872. 
The Swedes' Ford Bridge Company was incorporated March 30, 1848, and the
bridge completed in 1851, at a cost of forty thousand dollars.  It is
composed of four spans of two hundred and twenty feet in length.  The
Chester Valley Railroad crosses it, and forms a connection with the
Norristown road, and also with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Downingtown. 
Where Main Street and the turnpike cross Stony Creek a broad and
substantial stone bridge was built in 1854, by contributions front the
borough, turnpike company and several citizens.  A bridge must have been
here before the organization of the county, for in 1786 the grand jury
reported that they "found the foundation of the main abutment undermined
dangerously, and that the first stone of the arch had given away."  The
Stony Creek Railroad has a depot near Main Street, on the west side of the
stream, and passes through the borough nearly two miles and forms a
junction with the North Pennsylvania Railroad at Lansdale.  It was commenced
in 1871, and opened for travel January 1, 1874 and is nearly ten and one-
half miles in length.  This has also been leased and operated by the Reading
Company.  The Schuylkill Valley Railroad, leading from Philadelphia to
Pottsville, was commenced in 1883 and completed the following year, and
enters the borough on Lafayette Street.  The depot is at the intersection of
the aforesaid street with De Kalb.  This improvement follows the Schuylkill
and extend.  over half the length of the county.  A new depot was erected in
1884 on Franklin Avenue.  This railroad is now under lease to the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and is known as the Schuylkill Division.

749

    The Norristown Junction Railroad Company was chartered for the purpose 
of building a road to connect the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown
Railroad and the Stony Creek Railroad, and thereby save the transfer of
freight, by wagons, from one depot to the other.  The road was built in
1880, and extends from Marshall to Washington Street, along and near to
Markley Street.  After completion it was leased to the Philadelphia and
Reading and Stony Creek Railroads, by whom it is operated.

  The water-works were incorporated in 1847, under the title of "The
Norristown Insurance and Water Company."  They were erected that year, at a
cost of sixty-two thousand dollars.  After using the insurance privilege a
few years it was abandoned.  In 1875 the company erected a new engine-house,
with large pumps, to which they had the water conveyed from beyond
Barbadoes Island in 1876, at a considerable expense.  In 1879, the old basin
being found too small, another, also on Dekalb Street, was constructed on
higher ground, with a new ascending main, the whole costing eighty-five
thousand dollars more.  It is supposed that the company have now in use
about forty miles of iron pipe.  The water was first introduced in December
1847, and is forced from the Schuylkill to the basin, a distance of three-
fourth of a mile.

    The Fire Department consists of three steam fire engines and one Hose
Company.  The Norristown Hose and Steam Fire-Engine Company, No. 1, was
instituted in 1847.  After outgrowing two previous engine-houses, it is now
located in a large three-story brick edifice, at the corner of Dekalb and
Chestnut Streets.  The building was erected in 1883, at a cost of nearly
sixteen thousand dollars.  It has an Amoskeag steamer.  The company consists
of two hundred and fourteen active and one hundred and twelve honorary and
contributing members

   The Montgomery Fire Engine Company, No. 1, also instituted in 1847.  The
engine-house is a three-story brick building, erected in 1870, at a cost of
nearly fifteen thousand dollars, and is located on Penn Street, below
Swede.  They possess a Silsby steamer, of great power, that cost four
thousand five hundred dollars; they have also two hose-carriages with
eighteen hundred feet of hose.  They have in charge the old "Pat Lyon"
hand-engine, built by Patrick Lyon, of Philadelphia, in 1797.  This company
comprises two hundred active members.

    The Humane Fire Engine Company, instituted in 1852, owns a Button steam
fire-engine, with a full supply of hose.  They possess a large four-story
brick building, erected in 1854, with a cupola, bell and look-out, located
on Airy Street above De Kalb.  The horses are kept stabled on the premises. 
They own real estate and personal property valued at fifteen thousand
dollars.  They have about two hundred active members.

    The Fairmount Hook-and-Ladder and Hose Company was instituted in February
1852.  Soon after organization the company purchased a hand fire-engine,
built by Agnew, of Philadelphia, which they used until 1868, when they sold
it to the Keystone Fire Company, of Boyertown.  In 1869 the company
purchased the large hook-and-ladder truck they are still using.

    They have also a hose-carriage and fourteen hundred feet of hose.  In
1854 the company erected an engine-house on De Kalb Street, above
Lafayette, which was used until 1860, when a larger one was erected, on
Lafayette Street, above Cherry, and used until the completion of the
present three-story brick building, in 1880, on the corner of Main and
Astor Streets.  The real estate and apparatus is valued at fifteen thousand
dollars.  It numbers one hundred and twenty-five active and fifty honorary
members.

    Two engines, with stone houses, are mentioned in 1830, and in 1858 two
engines and two hose companies.

    The gas-works are located on Washington Street, below Arch, and were
erected in 1852, at a cost of forty thousand dollars.  Most of the streets
of the borough are underlaid with their distributing pipes.  Three market-
houses are in the place.  The De Kalb Street Market-house is owned by the
borough and extends from Airy to Marshall Streets, contains one hundred and
fourteen stalls and was erected in 1850-51.  The Farmers' Market belongs to
a company and is located at the corner of De Kalb and Marshall Streets, is
one story high, with a basement of brick, built in 1859; contains one
hundred and twenty-seven stalls

    The Western Market is located at Marshall and Chain Streets, built in 1875,
of brick, two stories high contains fifty-one stalls.  A Company has been
formed to build a street railway, and in July 1884, the route was located
to commence at the depot of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company,
on Mill Street, thence to Main, to De Kalb, to Brown, to Powell to Main, to
De Kalb, to Lafayette, at the depot of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad.

    MANUFACTORIES. -Norristown has attained considerable importance as a
manufacturing town, and we shall only attempt now to give but brief notices
of its principal establishments.  The extensive iron-works of James Hooven &
Sons are located at the foot of Barbadoes Street.  A portion was erected in
1846, at which time Mr. Hooven had entered into partnership with Mr.
Moore, whom the former bought out in 1853, and in 1862 associated with him
his two sons, Joseph Henry and Alexander.  In 1869 they erected here one of
the most complete blast furnaces in the county, the ore used being from
their own mines in Montgomery and Chester Counties.  The annual capacity is
ten thousand net tons.  The chief manufacture is skelp-iron and gas-pipes.

    The Lucinda Furnace and Rolling-Mill was erected in 1853, at the mouth of
the Stony Creek, by William Shall & Sons.  The former is now conducted by
Samuel Fulton for the production of pig-iron.  The latter is in charge of J.
H. Boone, for sheared, skelp and plate-iron, and was originally erected in
1849, but rebuilt in 1879.  The rolling-mill of the Standard Iron Company
(Limited) is located on Washington Street, below Ford, and manufactures
heavy plate-iron.  Its annual capacity is fourteen thousand net tons; this
was also originally erected by William Shall in 1857.  The Eagle Foundry and
Machine-Works are conducted by R. S. Newbold & Son, who manufacture all
description of heavy machinery.  Christopher Rittenhouse & Sons, at Main and
Arch Streets, pursue a general foundry business, and are extensively
engaged in the manufacture of agricultural machinery, such as horse-powers,
threshers and winnowing-mills.  About 1850 the proprietor entered into the
business, and the works were enlarged in 1868.

750

    The Norristown Iron Company (Limited) have erected new machine-works at the
corner of Washington and Market Streets.  The Lowe Manufacturing Company
produce machinery for "water gas-works," of which Professor T. S. C. Lowe
is the patentee.  The works were erected in 1878, and are located between
Main and Lafayette Streets, on the line of Saw-Mill Run.  The Pennsylvania
Tack-Works, founded in 1870 by C. P. Weaver & Co., is an extensive
establishment, located at the corner of Penn and Markley Streets, for the
production of tacks and fancy braids.  The Globe Tack-Works, near Oak and
Arch Streets, owned by Thomas & Kenworthy, manufacture the same articles. 
J. & G. Gibbons are extensively engaged in the production of steam-boilers.

    Among the extensive manufactories in textile fabrics is the large cotton-
spinning and weaving-mill of William Simpson & Sons, originally founded by
Bernard McCredy, at the foot of Swede Street, in 1826, the motive-power
being derived from the Schuylkill.  Mr. Simpson purchased this property June
20, 1865 to which belong seventy dwelling-houses occupying two squares of
ground.  Samuel Jamison's extensive spinning and weaving-mill is situated at
the foot of De Kalb Street, a portion of which was erected in 1837.  In 1858
it was conducted by William & Samuel Jamison, and has been in the
family for a considerable time. 

    The woolen-mill on the river-front in the First Ward, founded by William
Hamill in 1840, was considerably enlarged in 1861 by P. M. Hunter.  Since
1868, William Watt has been proprietor; the principal product has been
Kentucky jeans.  George Bullock carries on the manufacture of fine broad and
Union cloth at his factory, located on Main Street and Saw-Mill Run.  The
Blue Mill, on the same stream, we, erected about 1850 by Joseph H. Bodey,
and has recently been carried on by Shaw & Kenworthy.  J. Y. Cresson has it
woolen-mill at Ford and Lafayette Streets.  The Good-Intent Mill, erected in
1863 on Barbadoes Street, is now carried on by Brown & Haines.

    There are several manufactories of hosiery in Norristown.  Probably the
most extensive is the Keystone Hosiery Company's establishment, conducted
by Morgan Wright & Son, on Penn Street, above Barbadoes, in a new three-
story brick building.  The next is that of the Norristown Hosiery Company,
in charge of Yost, Hengie & Roop, who have a large factory in the rear of
the county prison.  Both of these are propelled by steam-power.  The Quaker
City Shirt-Factory is owned and carried on by Chester L. Smith, and is
located on Corson Street, near Marshall, erected in 1879.  John C. Hathaway,
on George Street, near Airy, also carries on the aforesaid manufacture
extensively by steam-power.

    The Star Glass-Works, owned and carried on by J. Morton Albertson & Sons,
are located on Washington Street, below Ford.  This enterprise was started
in 1865, but did not prove successful.  The present proprietor purchased the
works in March, 1871.  The buildings are about two hundred and fifty by
three hundred feet in dimensions; the capacity is one hundred boxes of
window-glass per day.  Glass is produced here as large as forty by sixty
inches.  Articles from this material are produced in great variety and its
manufacture is carried on extensively.  The oil-works of William Slemmer &
Co., are located at Main and Ford Streets, extending to Lafayette Street. 
An extensive business is done here in distilling and refining petroleum for
illuminating, but more especially for lubricating purposes.  Buildings were
commenced here in the fall of 1861 by Jacob C., William and Dr. Henry T.
Slemmer, sons of Adam Slemmer.  A patent was secured in 1866 for the
lubricator.

    The manufacture of Hubbard's gleaner and binder is carried on by George
A. Singerly in extensive buildings located at Oak and Astor Streets,
erected in 1878.  There are two large flouring-mills.  The first is known as
the Egypt Mill (late Heebner's), situated at the foot of Mill Street, and
is propelled jointly by the waters of Saw-Mill Run and the Schuylkill.  It
has conveniencies for doing a large business

    The other is owned by George Morgan, occupying a new stone building at
Marshall and Barbadoes Streets, and is propelled by Stony Creek and steam-
power.  Three lumber and planing-mills are in the place.  Two are located
near Main Street and Stony Creek.  The first, on the right bank, is
conducted by Botton's Sons, and the Other, on the opposite side, by Bodey &
Livingston, formerly Wentz & Co.  Guest & Longaker carry on the business at
the corner of Main and Arch Streets, in which they have been engaged since
1858, if not before.

See chapter "Manufactures."


    CHURCHES.  -The borough at the present time contains seventeen churches,
belonging to the following denominations: One Episcopal, two Presbyterian,
one Baptist, three Methodist Episcopal, one Catholic, two German Reformed,
two Lutheran, one Friends, one Evangelical Association, one German Baptist
or Dunkard, and two Colored Methodist.  In 1830 the only two churches were
the Episcopal and Presbyterian, which at this date maintained Sunday-
schools.  In 1842 the churches had increased to five, in 1849 to eight, and
in 1858 to thirteen.  According to the census of 1860, the church property
in Norristown was valued at one hundred and sixty-eight thousand nine
hundred dollars.

751

    ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH was the first erected in the place, and was
commenced in 1813 and dedicated for worship April 6, 1815.  The building
committee consisted of Henry Freedley, Mathias Holstein and Levi Pawling. 
It was located on Airy Street, and built of stone in the Gothic style,
fifty feet front by eighty feet deep.  The congregation had been organized
December 17, 1812.  Its first rector was Rev. John Curtis Clay, succeeded by
Revs. Thomas P. May
Bird Wilson
John Reynolds
Nathan Stem, D.D.
John Woart
Eaton W. Maxey
George W. Brown
Charles E. McIlvaine and
Isaac Gibson,
the present incumbent, who became rector in 1872.  Rev. Thomas Potts May
died in 1819, and was interred near the vestry-room door.  Dr. Stem had the
charge from 1839 until his death, in the fall of 1859, in which period
several important improvements were made.  A handsome rectory was built
about 1845.  In 1856 and the following year the church was enlarged to the
extremes of fifty-six by one hundred and nine feet, buttresses and a belfry
were added, besides extensive interior improvements, costing eight thousand
dollars.  A new organ was placed in the church in March, 1858.  During Mr.
Maxey's rectorship, in 1861, a spacious and ornamental chapel and other
extensive improvements were added, at an expense of nine thousand dollars. 
Adjoining is a large cemetery, still used for burial purposes.  In 1869 a
bequest of about twenty-two thousand dollars was left to the church by John
Boyer, three thousand dollars of which was specially to the poor fund of
the church.  The present membership is three hundred and twenty, with two
hundred and eighty pupils attending the Sabbath-school.


    THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was built in 1819, of stone, thirty by sixty
feet in dimensions, at the northwest corner of Airy and De Kalb Streets. 
Its first pastor was the Rev. Joseph Barr, who also had at this time the
charge of the Norristown and Providence Churches and also taught a school
in the academy.  The Rev. Charles E. Nassau was next succeeded by Rev.
Robert Adair, to whom, in 1834, was given this church alone.  The next was
Rev. Samuel M. Gould, from 1838 to 1850;
Rev. Randolph A. Smith, until 1836
Job Halsey, D.D., became minister until 1881.  The present incumbent is Rev.
William B. Noble, D. D.  In 1839 the front was demolished, the side-walls
underpinned and twenty-five feet added to the depth of the building, thus
providing a basement.
The whole structure was torn down in 1854, when the present handsome
edifice was erected and completed the following year on its, site, at an
expense of thirty thousand dollars.  Its steeple attains an elevation of two
hundred feet, being the highest in Norristown.  Attached in the rear is a
cemetery and a cottage parsonage fronting on Airy Street.  Its membership is
three hundred and twenty, and Sunday-school attendance three hundred.


    THE BAPTIST CHURCH, corner of Swede and Airy Streets, was originally built
in 1833, at a cost, including the ground, of seven thousand dollars, the
congregation having been organized December 12, 1832.  It was a plain stone
structure, of medium size, the first pastor of which was Rev.
William Jordan, who retired from the charge in 1834, succeeded by Revs.
Hiram Hutchins
William E. Cornwell
Roswell Cheney
Alfred Pinney
Hardin Wheat
George Frear D.D.  Rev. Samuel Aaron was pastor from March 1841 to 1844.  A
gallery was added in 1841, and in 1850, a legacy having been left for the
purpose, a new front was added, with a cupola, in all about one hundred
feet high; at the same time the whole exterior and interior was improved,
at a cost of about four thousand dollars.  During the pastorate of Dr.
Frear, from 1871 to 1875, the edifice was torn down and a new brownstone
Gothic structure erected, with buttressess of cut-stone and surmounted with
a belfry, the whole costing twenty-five thousand dollars.  Rev. Simeon
Siegfried, who was chosen in 1875, died in 1879, and was succeeded in 1880
by the present incumbent, Rev. Nelson B. Randall.  Its present membership is
five hundred and sixty-seven, and five hundred and eighty teachers and
pupils in the Sabbath-school.  A capacious and elevated cemetery belonging
to the church is situated in the eastern suburb of the borough.  Before the
erection of the church, in 1833, the congregation worshiped in the
academy and court-house.

    THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Was originally built of stone, on Main
Street, below Arch, in 1834, of which the Rev. John Findley had charge as
preacher on the circuit, who was succeeded by Revs. John Woolson and
William K. Goentner.  In the summer of 1857 this property was sold, and the
present large two-story brick edifice erected in a place, on De Kalb
Street, below Marshall, and dedicated in November 1858, to which a
parsonage has since been added, the ground having been originally part of a
lot belonging to the First Presbyterian Church.  The present pastor is Rev.
S. H. C. Smith.  Membership, three hundred and twelve, and three hundred and
seventy-two pupils on the Sunday-school roll.

    THE OAK STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH congregation was organized July
11, 1854, and the building completed the following year.  It is a brick
edifice, to which belongs a neat parsonage.  Its first pastors were Revs J.
F. Meredith, J. Y. Aston.  The Rev G. W. F. Graff has present charge. 
Membership, one hundred and eighty-four; teachers and pupils in
Sabbath-school, two hundred and seventy-five.

    HAWS AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is a stone building, erected in
1875, standing at the corner of Marshall Street.  Membership, eighty;
teachers and pupils in Sabbath-school, one hundred and fifty.

[See chapter, "Religious Denominations, Methodism".]

752

    ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Situated on Washington Street, below
Barbadoes, was originally built in 1837, of stone, three-stories high, the
congregation having been organized the previous year.  The pastors have been
Revs. Michael O'Connor
Patrick Nugent
Jeremiah O'Donohue
Dennis O'Hara
Pierce Maher
John Monahan, the present incumbent, assisted by Rev. James Monahan.  The
church becoming too small, another was erected, of stone, in 1859, sixty-
five by one hundred and forty-five feet in dimensions, of which the
corner-stone was laid by Bishop Neuman in August of that year.  It is in
modern style, with a belfry and large basement-rooms.  Adjoining is a large
brick rectory and three dwellings, in which schools are taught by the
Sisters.  The congregation is estimated at three thousand and the Sunday-
school attendance seven hundred, The parochial school was started in 1875
and the pupils now number about five hundred.  Two cemeteries belong to the
church, one of which is on the south side of Main Street, beyond Stony
Creek, the other on De Kalb Street road, a quarter of a mile from the
borough line.

    THE REFORMED CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION was built in 1847, and its
congregation organized the previous year.  It is a stone edifice located on
Airy Street, below Swede.  In 1869 it was enlarged and adorned with two
handsome towers, surmounted with spires.  The first pastor was Rev. J. R.
Kooken, succeeded by
Revs. George D. Wolfe
J. T. Ermentrout
P. S. Davis
D. Gans
E. 0. Forney
Henry M. Keiffer.
Rev. J. 0. Johnson, the present incumbent.  Membership, two hundred and
forty-five, and attendance at Sabbath-school, about two hundred and
seventy-two.

    TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH is a stone edifice erected in 1876 at the corner of
Marshall and Cherry Streets.  Its first pastor was Rev. Daniel Feete,
succeeded by Revs. A. B. Stoner and W. H. Hendrickson, the present
incumbent.  In 1883 the church was greatly improved.  The membership is
eighty, with about one hundred and fifty teachers and pupils in the
Sabbath-school.

    TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH.  Was erected on DeKalb Street, above Penn, in 1849. 
Rev. F. G. Miller was its first pastor, succeeded by Revs.  McCrow, Schultz
and Charles A. Baer.  During the charge of the last the church was rebuilt,
of stone, and enlarged in 1863, with the addition to its front of a portico
with four Ionic columns.  The pastors since have been Revs. L. H. Bork and
A. J. Weddell.  The membership is about four hundred, and attendance at
Sunday-school four hundred and forty.  A parsonage was built in the summer
of 1884 in the place of the one removed.

    ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH was built of brick on Oak Street, below
De Kalb, in 1872.  The first pastor was Rev. Henry Reiff, succeeded by Revs.
Frantz Badenfeldt
Engel
Pracht
Pohle
Gerlach.
Its membership is eighty, and teachers and pupils in Sabbath-school one
hundred and fifty.


    CENTRAL OR SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is located on the north side of Main
Street, above Swede.  The congregation was organized November 28, 1855, the
corner-stone laid August 9, 1856, and the church dedicated in February,
1858.  It is a large brick edifice, with a portico in front containing six
Corinthian columns, has circular pews and ample rooms in the basement; it
cost thirty-five thousand dollars.  Its pastors have been
Revs. Daniel G. O'Mallery
Robert Adair
J. T. Ford
William Jenks
Rev. Joseph McAskie has present charge.  Membership is two hundred and
twenty-five, and teachers and pupils in Sunday-school three hundred.

    FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE is a plain brick building located within a large
shady lawn, at the corner of Swede and Jacoby Streets.  It was erected in
1852 as an indulged meeting, under care of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting.

    THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION, OR GERMAN METHODISTS, erected a brick house 
of worship in 1859 on Cherry Street, above Airy.  Its first pastor was Rev.
Seneca Breifogle, succeeded by
Revs. E. Batz,
Thomas Harper
James 0. Leihr
S. G. Rhoades
R. M. Lichtenwalter
B. F. Boulaer
W. T. Black
Francis Leihr
Membership, one hundred and sixteen; teachers and pupils in Sunday-school,
one hundred.

    THE DUNKARDS, OR GERMAN BAPTISTS, possess a small brick meeting-house on
Barbadoes Street, above Airy, erected in 1869.  No stated or regular worship
is held therein.

    THE COLORED ZION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, on Chain Street near
Lafayette, was erected in 1845.  A larger one having been built on Powell
Street in 1853, the former one was vacated.  Its first pastor was Rev.
Thomas Gibbs; the present one in charge is Rev. Amos Wilson.  Membership,
about one hundred, with an attendance of seventy-five in the Sunday-school.

    THE COLORED EBENEZER PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH was organized in June,
1849, and a stone building erected in the autumn of 1853, at a cost of
eight hundred and seventy-five dollars, at Arch and Basin Streets.  In 1872
it was rebuilt of brick and enlarged.  Its pastors have been
Rev. Samuel N. Amos
Isaiah Taylor
Charles Williams
Membership fifty-six, and Sunday-School attendance about forty.

    PUBLIC SCHOOLS.  -The schools of Norristown, both public and private,
have a high reputation, and are probably not excelled by those of any other
borough in the State.

753

    Its inhabitants from an early period have bestowed considerable attention
upon the matter, and the result has been a continual progress in their
condition.  Schools, particularly in towns, perform a more important part in
the affairs and duties of life than is generally accredited them.  By this
we mean, more especially, their influence on order and morals.  What would
be the condition of any town of this size if its schools were closed for
one year?  In this borough about one-fifth of the whole population attends
school; if this number instead of being there and preparing for future
usefulness, should be let loose in the streets, its character would soon
change.

    The public schools are forty-four and are taught by this number of
teachers.  For the year ending June 1, 1884, the whole number of pupils
enrolled was two thousand three hundred and thirty and the average daily
attendance one thousand six hundred and eighteen.  Joseph K. Gotwals is
superintendent of the borough schools.  Those outside of these limits, but
within the county, are in charge of the county superintendent, the
positions being independent of each other.  The public-school system was
accepted July 27, 1835, but did not go in operation until March 2, 1836. 
The first directors' meeting had been held September 24, 1834.  In 1832,
strange to say, there were but two primary schools in the place.  In 1857
the number in the borough had increased to twenty public schools, in which
were employed two male and eighteen female teachers attended by two
thousand and ninety-one scholars.  The schools were kept in three buildings
erected expressly for the purpose and a one-story frame building for
colored children.  The public schools in 1872 had increased to thirty-one,
and in 1875 to thirty-eight, taught by this number of teachers and attended
by two thousand four hundred and one scholars.  The High School was
established in 1870, when A. D. Eisenhower became principal.  In 1878, Anne
Y. Gilbert (Mrs. Dr. C. Z. Weber) was chosen assistant; upon her
resignation, in 1884, Miss Ella Detwiler and Miss Bertha Limebach became
assistants.




              PICTURE OF HIGH SCHOOL, NORRISTOWN, APPEARS HERE.




    The public school buildings are now six in number, and can all be
considered as comparatively new and of modern construction.  The High School
building is on De Kalb Street, fronting on Oak, the lot of ground
containing several acres.  It was erected in 1880, is built of brick, three
stories high, with handsome stone facings to all the windows, doors and
basement.  The furniture and apparatus is of modern and approved
construction.  It contains accommodations for five hundred and twelve
pupils.  All the higher branches are taught, including Latin, Greek and
German.  The principal is A. D. Eisenhower, with ten additional teachers;
the grammar department being in three divisions.

754

    Oak Street Public School building was originally erected in 1849, on a
large lot fronting on said Street.  It is built of brick, three stories
high, and was enlarged in 1859, and again in 1868, and contains
accommodations for one thousand pupils.  It is divided into numerous class
and recitation-rooms.  William J. Wells is principal, assisted by fourteen
teachers in five divisions.  Chain Street School is located at the corner of
Airy and Chain Street, in the south-western part of the borough.  It is a
two-story stone building erected in 1870, with eight school-rooms, and has
capacity for four hundred pupils.  The lot embraces half a square of ground. 
Joseph V. Bean is principal, assisted by five teachers in six divisions.

    Sandy Street School is located at Walnut and Sandy Streets.  It is a two-
story brick edifice, originally built in 1851 and enlarged in 1874, and
contains accommodations for four hundred and fifty pupils, George H. Coe is
principal, assisted by seven teachers in three divisions.  Cherry Street
School is located at the corner of Penn, is built of brick, three stories
high, erected in 1851.  It has capacity for one hundred and fifty pupils,
and is used as a secondary school, with two teachers.  Powell Street School,
at the corner of Willow, is a stone building, erected in 1874 for colored
pupils, with capacity for accommodating one hundred and twenty scholars,
and is now unused.

    CEMETERIES.  -The Montgomery Cemetery Company was organized in September,
1847, and was incorporated April 4, 1848.  It contains thirty acres of land,
and is located on the Schuylkill, adjoining Norriton township.  The first
interment made therein was March 16, 1819, and up to April 1, 1859, the
number bad reached six hundred and fifty-two, but since has greatly
increased.  Here the dead repose amidst shady lawns, shrubbery and flowers. 
It possesses a diversified surface, and the ground descends towards the
river.  Norris City Cemetery is situated outside the borough limits, beside
its northern boundary, and is, approached by Swede Street.  The company was
incorporated in November, 1857, and the first interment made the following
spring.  This tract was previously known as the Rossiter Farm.  St. Patrick's
Burial-Ground is situated on the south side of Main Street, beyond Stony
Creek.  A tract was purchased of Levi and Elizabeth Pawling May 14, 1809, as
a public burying-ground, at the corner of Swede and Violet Streets.  It is
known as Potter's Field, contains thirty-three perches, and is under the
control of the Borough Council.  Respecting its condition, a public-meeting
was called in June 1809, probably with a view of having it inclosed.

    PUBLIC HALLS.  -The earliest hall in the place of any pretension was that
in the Odd Fellows' building, which was erected by a company in 1850, and was
three stories high, built of brick.  The first story was occupied by stores,
the second by the hall, and the third for the purposes of the lodge-rooms. 
In 1877 it was sold to Philip Quillman, who placed a mansard roof on its
fourth story and vacated the hall.  In 1812 a company was formed who erected
Music Hall, on the north side of Main Street, above De Kalb.  It is a
handsome three-story brick structure, faced with marble, fifty feet front
and one hundred and forty feet deep, and cost sixty thousand dollars.  The
first story in front is occupied by the post-office and stores.  The second
story contains the hall, fitted up for concerts, lectures and exhibition
purposes, and has a capacity for seating one thousand persons.  It possesses
in addition a stage, scene-fixtures and a dressing-room.  The third story is
finished up and used as a Masonic lodge-room.  There are several other halls
fitted up for such purposes in the place, as Acker's, Fisher's, Albertson's
and Meech's, and others of less note.

    The Norristown Library is kept in the second story of a brick building
erected by the association, commenced in October, 1859, into which it was
removed in the following April.  The building was thirty by forty feet in
dimensions, situated on De Kalb Street, above Airy.  It is open every week-
day, and contains at present about six thousand volumes.  It was founded in
1794, and incorporated April 30, 1796, and its charter signed by Thomas
Mifflin, Governor.  The original members were
Henry Pawling
Andrew Porter
John Pugh
Seth Chapman
Dr. Isaac Huddleson
Dr. William Smith
Joseph Potts
Ezekiel Rhoades
Robert Brooke
John E. Allen
James Adams
John Davis
Samuel Maulsby, 
having been its earliest friends and incorporators.  In
January, 1801, Andrew Porter, Levi Pawling, John Davis, Robert Kennedy,
David Lukens, Isaiah Wells and six others were elected trustees.  At this
time it contained about seventy members, with an annual payment of one
dollar from each.  The treasurer reported that there were due one hundred
and forty-four dollars, besides a considerable sum for fines, and requested
the same to be paid so as to enable the purchase of additional books.

    For many years the library was kept in a building upon a site belonging
to the Bank of Montgomery County, on Main Street, which was afterward
removed to the corner of De Kalb and Penn Streets.  A one-story frame
building, fifteen and a half feet square, was erected for it in 1835, where
it remained until the completion of the present building.  In January 1825,
it contained six hundred and eleven volumes for which a building that cost
$153.43 had been erected by private subscription on the leased lot.  The
members at this time were twenty-four.  In 1836 the annual meeting was
engaged from the first Saturday in January to the first Tuesday of the same
month.  The first catalogue was printed in 1836, containing forty pages.  In
1832 the library had increased to eleven hundred volume, and in 1858 to
about two thousand eight hundred.  The last catalogue was printed in 1883
containing one hundred pages.  The annual payment is now two dollars, the
price of shares five dollars and of life memberships twenty dollars.  Miss
Irene Hallman is the present librarian.

755

The Historical Society of Montgomery County was founded February 22, 1881,
by a call from fourteen prominent citizens.  They have held several meetings
and have had papers read before them on historical subjects of local
interest and commenced the formation of a library and a collection of
manuscripts.  It was incorporated in May, 1883.

  The officers of the society from the first have been
President: 1881-85, Theodore W. Bean
Vice-Presidents; 1881-82 Reuben Kriebel
Professor R. T. Hoffecker; 1883
Dr. Hiram Corson; 1884-85
Dr. Hiram Corson
Hon.  Hiram C.  Hoover
 Recording Secretary: 
1881, J. S. Shrawder, M.D., 
1882-85, F. G. Hobson.  
Corresponding Secretary: 
1881-84, S. M. Corson; 
1885, Isaac Chism, Esq., 
Treasurer: 
1881-85, Major William H. Holstein.  
Librarian: 
1881-85, Nathaniel Jacoby. 
Stenographer: 
1881-85, William N. Clift.
Trustees: 1884-85
Benjamin P. Wertsner
William McDermott
Hon. William Henry Sutton
Charles F. Corson
Hon. William A. Yeakle
Professor Joseph K. Gotwaltz
Hon. James Detwiler
Mrs. Jacob L. Rex
Mrs. Caleb R. Howell.

    The post-office is kept in the first-story front of Music Hall building,
on Main Street.  It has been fitted up under government authority, the
office being now of that rank that the appointment is made by the President
of the United States.  Robert Iredell, the present incumbent, except a short
interval from 1866 to 1868, has held the office continuously since 1861,
while his deputy, William Acker, has officiated therein a still longer
time.  The post-office was established in Norristown before 1799, when John
Davis was postmaster, It wag the second in the county, the Pottstown office
having preceded it near the close of 1793.

The first postmaster of Norristown was John Davis, in 1799; since 1820 the
following have served
James Wells
Isaiah W. Davis
Philip Hahn
John Sutlee
Henry G. Hart
Dr. E. L. Acker
Robert Iredell 1861 to 1866
Henry Quilinan
Samuel Brown
Robert Tredell.

    An advertisement of the several letters remaining in this office uncalled
for in October, 1799, is a curiosity.  Several of the names mentioned are 
stated from their address to reside in
Nockamixon
Chester County
Great Valley
Montgomery township
Lower Merion
Trappe
Horsham
Upper Hanover.

This, of course, was then owing to the comparatively few post-offices in
the country.  Indeed, in Pennsylvania, in 1796, there was but thirty-three,
and even in the county, as late as 1827, only twenty.  John Coates was
postmaster in 1816.

    EARLY HISTORY.  -By reference to the history of Norriton township it will
be seen that the land on which Norristown is situated was part of the tract
owned by Isaac Norris.  The greater part within the present borough came in
possession of his son, Charles Norris, who erected a mill [See NOTE below.] by 
the side of the Schuylkill, a few yards above the present dam, and made other 
valuable improvements.  After his death, Mary, his wife, sold, September 17, 1771 
the mill and five hundred and forty-three acres on the river-side to, John
Bull, of Limerick township, for the sum of four thousand six hundred
pounds, which, in our present currency, would be twelve thousand two
hundred and sixty-five dollars.  Included in said purchase was Barbadoes
Island, which is stated in the conveyance to contain eighty-eight acres. 
Nicholas Scull, in his map of the province, published in 1759, mentions an
inn called the "Norrington House" situated on the southeast side of where
the Ridge road or Main Street now crosses Stony Creek.  This, no doubt, was
the first site of the earliest settlement anywhere within the present
limits of the borough, and which subsequent researches seem to confirm.

    As both the township of Norriton and Norristown received their names from
Isaac Norris, of Philadelphia, some account of him in this connection may
not be amiss.  He was a native of England, where he was born about the year
1671.  With his father he went to Jamaica in 1678, where he established
himself as a merchant, and after a residence there of fourteen years
arrived in Philadelphia, where he commenced a successful business career. 
During his life he was a leading member of the Society of Friends.  With
William Trent, in 1704, he purchased all of what was called Norriton
Township, and in 1712 became its sole owner.  He was elected to the Assembly
in 1700, and was continued in the same for many years.  He resided chiefly
at Fair Hill, his country-seat that was in the present vicinity of Broad
Street, below Monument Cemetery.  He was married, March 7, 1694, to Mary,
the youngest daughter of Governor Thomas Lloyd.  He was very active and
influential in civil and religious matters.  In 1715 he became one of the
justices of the Philadelphia County Courts, a member of the Governor's
Council and was, at the time of his death, was chief justice of the
province.  He died suddenly in the beginning of June 1735, of an
apoplectic fit, while attending Germantown Meeting.  At the time of his
decease, he was about sixty-four years of age.  His will is dated January
17, 1731, and appointed Mary, his wife, and his sons Isaac, Charles and
Samuel, jointly, his executors.  His eldest son, Isaac, one of the aforesaid
executors, was also distinguished as a merchant and for his services in
public life.  He was long an alderman of the city, and for twenty years
Speaker of the Assembly.  He died July 13, 1760, aged sixty-five years. 
William Trent, alluded to, was also an early merchant of Philadelphia,
speaker of the Assembly and one of the judges of the Supreme Court from
1705 to 1716.  He shortly after removed to where Trenton, N. J., now is,
where he commenced the first settlement, by the erection of several mills,
in 1719.  He died there in 1724; chief justice of the province, and after
him Trenton was called.

[NOTE:  Since the aforesaid was written, we have learned from the report of the
road survey from Swedes Ford to Gwynedd Meeting-house, in March 1738, of a
mention made in this vicinity of "Norris Mills".  The question arises, -were
those mills beside the Schuylkill or on Stony Creek?  Most likely on the
latter stream.]

756

An act having been passed by the Assembly, February 26, 1773, for 
"clearing, scouring and making the river Schuylkill navigable, and for
putting in execution all and every other the purposes in the said act
mentioned," the commissioners appointed to carry out the aforesaid state
that they

    "Did agree with Charles Norris, Esq., late deceased, that he, should be
permitted and suffered from time to time, as occasion shall require, to
repair, keep up and maintain a certain mill-dam running across the eastern
channel of the said river, from the main eastern shore thereof to
Barbadoes Island, which, before the date of the said agreement, had been
made and directed by the said Charles Norris, for the use of his mill, on
condition that he should and would build, erect and carry out, from the
upper end of the said island, a dam, or wall, of at least twenty perches in
length, and inclining in some degree to the eastern side of the said river,
and of such height am should be above the waters at all times, other than
in freshest, so as to direct the waters into the western channel, and also
should and would, in the building of the said wall or dam, make use of the
stones lying in the said western channel.  And whereas, since the agreement
aforesaid, the administrator of the said Charles Norris did convey and make
over the said mill, with the appurtenances, to John Bull, Esq.  Be it
therefore enacted, that the said John Bull, his heirs or assigns, shall,
and he or they are hereby enjoined and required within the space of eight
months from and after passing this act, to build the said dam or wall as
mentioned, and in case he shall refuse or neglect it, then the commissioners 
to prostrate or remove the said mill-dam, which, should they be
compelled to do, then the said John Bull to have a reasonable compensation
therefore and forever thereafter to keep open the said eastern channel of
the said river, free and clear from all manner of impediment and
obstructions to the navigation thereof."

    This important statement goes to show under what circumstances the first
mill was erected here and in what way its motive-power was secured for the
river.  It may have been possible that on the breast of this dam at certain
times the island may have been reached by persons crossing on foot; a
matter that occasioned some speculation when it became somewhat of a resort
for racing, bathing and military trainings.

    Only two days after the defeat of Washington at Brandywine he dispatched
General Armstrong, with a portion of the militia, along the Schuylkill to
throw up redoubts; at the different fords which were to be occasionally
occupied, that in case the British should attempt to cross they might the
opposed.  At that time the principal crossing-place was at Swedes' Ford, and
on this account it was expected that they might pass there, and for this
reason, under the direction of Chevalier Du Portail, an engineer, formerly
in the French army, Armstrong's men threw up entrenchments and breast-works
opposite that place, and now in the borough, and it is said that they were
scarcely completed before the British made their appearance on the other
side, but in consequence changed their line of march towards Valley Forge. 
Remains of these works were still visible forty years ago.  While Washington
was near Pottsgrove the enemy crossed the Schuylkill at Fatland Ford, five
and a half miles above Norristown, on the night of September 22, 1777, and
proceeded leisurely on their march to the city.  On the 23d a portion of
their army was overnight in or near the present borough, on which occasion
they set fire and burned down nearly all the buildings in the place.  So
great was the damage done that on a valuation being made, the State allowed
to Colonel Bull for his loss £2080, to the University £100, to Hannah
Thompson £807 and William Dewees £329, -the whole equivalent to $11,240 of
our present currency.  The aforesaid may be depended on as accurate, being
derived from official manuscripts on the subject.  The result may be arrived
at from an advertisement in the "Pennsylvania Packet" of October 27, 1778,
and bearing the Rev. Dr. Smith's name, -

    "To be let for a term of years, that valuable plantation at Norriton, on
Schuylkill, lately occupied by Colonel Bull.  Such persons as desire to
lease the same are requested to make their propositions to the subscriber,
at the College, as soon as possible, as the farm and meadows now suffer for
the want of a tenant."

    Colonel Bull continued to reside here from 1771, making extensive
improvements, and most probably until the destruction of his property.  He
was assessed in the spring of 1776 for holding in Norriton five hundred
acres, two negroes, two bound servants, five horses and seven cows.  In 1768
he bad been appointed one of the justices of the Court of Quarter Sessions
for Philadelphia County, which office he continued to hold until the
Revolution.  He had been in the service as a captain in the French and
Indian war, and was commissioned, November 25, 1775, a colonel of the First
Pennsylvania Battalion of eight companies, afterwards De Haas regiment,
which position he resigned January 20, 1776.  He was appointed adjutant-
general of Pennsylvania June 17, 1777, and when General James Irvine was
taken prisoner, near Chestnut Hill, was appointed, in December of that
year, to the command of the Second Brigade of Pennsylvania Militia.  In 1780
be was appointed to purchase horses in the county for the use of the army. 
In January, 1775, he was one of the county members that met in provincial
convention to prohibit the importation of slaves.  He, with three others
represented the county in the convention that trained the Constitution of
the State, which was adopted September 28, 1776.  We see by these several
positions that he had become an active partisan in the war, and it was for
this reason and his carrying on the manufacture of powder that the British
were induced to burn his property here September 23, 1777, while on their
march to take possession of the city.  He was continued by the Assembly,
August 31, 1778, as one of the Justices of the County Courts.  Colonel Bull
sold all his real estate here excepting about fifty-five acres, to Rev. Dr.
William Smith, of the city of Philadelphia, October 30, 1776, for the use
of the university of Pennsylvania, of which he was provost, for six
thousand pounds.  The tract is mentioned as containing a grist-mill, saw-
mill, powder-mill and other buildings.  The deed for the same was not given
until the following November 2d.  These were the buildings that the British
in the following year destroyed.  Benjamin Rittenhouse, brother of the
celebrated philosopher, who was commissioned by Governor Mifflin in 1791,
one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery
County, was married to a daughter of Colonel Bull.  William Bull, who was
assessed in Norriton in 1776 for holding three hundred acres and two
negroes, was probably a brother of the aforesaid.  He had purchased a farm
here of Henry Conard in 1770.

757

    While the British army was destroying property in this neighborhood, we
learn from the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg's journal that the American light
cavalry captured five English soldiers, who at this time, we presume, were
out marauding, and brought them through the Trappe on their way to the
American army.  When Washington broke up his camp at Whitemarsh, and
proceeded with the army to Valley Forge, for winter-quarters, it was on
the banks of the river at this borough that they encamped for about two
days, suffering severely at this time, Colonel John Laurens, states, for
the want of provisions.  On the afternoon of December 13th they crossed at
the Swedes' Ford by making a bridge of wagons backed to each other, on
which were laid fence-rails as a substitute for plank, and which formed
very unstable footing, This novel mode of crossing was witnessed by the
late Mathias Holstein, then a boy, accompanied by his father, which fact
has since been corroborated by the letters and journals of several who were
then present.

    FROM A COUNTY-SEAT TO A BOROUGH.  -At that time, where is now the large and
populous borough of Norristown, the land chiefly belonged to the trustees
of the University of Pennsylvania, to whom it had been transferred by the
Rev. Dr. Smith, who had been the provost of the same.  His son, William
Moore Smith, became agent for the trustees of this institution, and under
certain reservations, final owner, and thus had it laid out as the town of
"Norris" into streets and lots.  The latter were divided into a width of
fifty feet front, but of different depths.  Those most advantageously
situated brought as high as four dollars per foot, while others less
desirable were sold as low as $1.40.  There were in all at this little
(1785) sixty-four lots, bounded on the north by Airy Street, east by Green
Alley, south by Lafayette and west by Cherry Street.  This may be considered
the original size of the town.  In the deeds to the several lot-holders
mention is made that they are conveyed by the "trustees of the University
of Pennsylvania," and are situated "in the town of Norris."  A lot on Egypt
Street was sold to Henry Roosen, February 28, 1785, for seventy-seven
pounds and the singular feudal reservation of "an acorn annually to be paid
to them and their successors."  Abraham Landis purchased a lot in that year
for eight pounds, on De Kalb Street, and David Lloyd one for twenty-five
pounds, fronting on De Kalb and Swede Streets, in which this tribute is
also a condition.  A copy of the original town draft may be seen in Deed
Book No. 2, page 465, at the recorder's office, in which the "Mansion
House" is described as being on the north side of Main or Egypt Street,
near the present Barbadoes.  Egypt Street is mentioned therein as eighty
feet wide De Kalb sixty-six, Swede sixty-six, and Penn Street extending
eastwards front the court-house lot.  The latter is mentioned as being three
hundred and forty-four by one hundred and forty feet in extent, and that
"the Public Square to remain open for ever" towards Egypt or Main Street.

    As the court-house and jail were not built for several years after the
formation of the county the courts had to be held wherever they could get
the most suitable accommodations.  The first court was held at the public-
house of John Shannon, December 28, 1784.  Frederick A. Muhlenberg, James
Morris, Henry Scheetz and William Dean were the justices, the first being
president.  To show the spirit of the times, we learn from the records of
the court that one person, for committing two larcenies, was sentenced,
September 28, 1785, to receive on his bare back fifteen lashes, well laid
on, and on the following October 8th the same number to be repeated for
the second offense.  "Negro William" was sentenced, at the same time, to
receive nineteen lashes.

    The ground upon which the court-house stands, with much the greater portion
of the present public square, was virtually presented to the county by the
trustees of the University, expressly for the public buildings.  It was
conveyed through the commissioners in accordance with the provisions mentioned
in the act of Assembly.  The consideration therefor, was five shillings, and
the transfer was made in 1785.  The deed thus describes the boundaries:

    "Beginning at the north west corner of Airy and Swede Streets, thence, along
the west side of Swede, south 28 degrees, west 344 feet to a corner, thence
along the open square, south 62 degrees, east 140 feet to a corner lot
marked No. 1; thence by a 40 feet court and lot, No. 30, north 28 degrees,
east 344 feet to Airy Street, thence along said Street north 62 degrees
west to the place of beginning."

    It will be observed no mention is made of the present Penn Street; probably
the court referred to was a portion of the same that may at this time have
been only partly opened.

    The court-house and jail were both commenced in 1787, and were built of
stone.  The dimensions of the former were seventy by forty feet, two stories
high, and surmounted by a cupola and bell.  It stood upon the south side of
Penn Street, near the corner of Swede, with its front towards Main Street. 
The stairs were placed on the outside to reach the second story, similar to
those of the old court-house in Philadelphia, which was common at this
period, even with churches and private houses when two stories high.  The
prison stood upon the site of the present court-house and was a two-story
rough-cast building.  In 1801 four hundred and twenty-one dollars were paid
for fuel used in it which the auditors said would have to be in the future
considerably reduced or the amount would not be allowed, while the expenses
for boarding the prisoners was one hundred and ninety-seven dollars.  The
following year the fuel charge was one hundred and sixty-four dollars.  The
cost to the county for erecting these buildings was £4774 11s. 9d.  Of this
amount, £1828 19s. was received from Philadelphia County, as the share
coming to Montgomery from the proceeds of the sale of the old prison there,
according to the act of Assembly in establishing the county.  The building
containing the county offices was not erected till 1791.  Several years
after it was enlarged to fifty by thirty-six feet.  Colonel Thomas Craig,
an officer of the Revolution, was appointed in 1784 associate judge,
prothonotary, clerk of the courts, and the following year recorder, all of
which offices he actually held until 1799.

758

    General Francis Swayne, a resident of the Trappe and son-in-law of the
Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, while sheriff of the county, on the 12th of April,
1788, executed John Brown, who had been sentenced to death for burglary,
and who, it appears, was an old offender.  He was hanged in the rear of the
jail on Airy Street.  This affair for some time after was the occasion of
considered controversy, if not excitement, between the sheriff and several
citizens of the town.  It originated chiefly through the execution having
been performed on the highway, and in the most public manner.  The sheriff,
on the other hand, defended himself on the ground that he could not get the
permission of any land-owners in or near the place to permit him, as an
officer, to fulfil the due performance of that which was required of him by law.

    Norristown, in 1790, contained a court-house, jail, three or four inns,
eight or nine houses, a mill and a school-house in all about eighteen
buildings.  An intelligent lady of nearly eighty years, some time since
deceased, who was raised in the place, furnished the writer with, the
following reminiscences in 1858: That the town in 1793 contained three or
four taverns, -one was the "General Washington," kept by Alexander Moore;
the "Rising Sun," kept by Jesse Roberts; the "Eagle," by a person by the
name of Rudolph; that there were two stores, one kept by John Young, and
not a house within the present borough limits south and southeast of Main
and De Kalb Streets.  She remembered when shad, herring and rockfish were
caught here in abundance and canoes and flats navigated the river.  On one
occasion she went with her father to Philadelphia in a canoe and was
considerably frightened in going through the falls above Manayunk.  Scott,
in his "United States Gazetteer of 1795," speaks of Norristown as then
containing about twenty houses, besides the county buildings.  An aged
gentlemen, now for some time deceased, furnished the writer in 1854 with
his recollections of the place in 1803.  He says it then contained about
fifty houses and that most of them were but one story high and built of
frame or logs.  Besides these were a court-house, jail, three taverns, one
store and Rod a small school-house, two or three lawyers and one doctor. 
Back of Airy Street, in the vicinity of the present prison, was the old
Jail Lane, which was a favorite place for horse-racing and playing long
bullets.  In the spring and fall, when the condition of the roads became
impassable, the people hauled tan from the old tan-yard carried on by
Philip Markley before 1790, and made walks of it before their doors.  Swede
Street at this time was the only road that extended to the river, and there
was then a fine road along its banks from the mouth of Stony Creek to
Swedes' Ford, well shaded by buttonwood and beech-trees.

    John Markley, an enterprising citizen of the place, in the fall of 1798,
was elected sheriff of the county, to which position he was elected for
three consecutive years.  Having purchased all the real estate here that had
formerly belonged to the university, he was induced to offer it for sale in
an advertisement of December, 1801:

    "All the estate called Norristown Mill and Farm, lately like property of
Wm. Moore Smith, Esq., adjoining the town of Norris, and bounding on the
river Schuylkill, containing 540 acres, including Barbadoes Island.  It is
the intention of the subscriber to divide this estate into lots and small
farms.  To then farm-lots will be added a sufficiency of woodlands, and
commodious dwelling-house.  Also the merchant mill, saw-mill, with ten acres
of land.  The mills are pleasantly situated on and worked by the river
Schuylkill, within a few poles of the road leading from Philadelphia to
Reading, and are in complete repair.  There are on the premises two other
mill-seats on streams of water sufficiently strong for any kind of power,
which will be sold separate, with a sufficient security of the water-right. 
The richness of the soil, the pleasantness of the situation and the present
flourishing prospects of the village renders the purchase of this property
an object worthy the attention of the farmer, the mechanic or the
gentleman of leisure."

    An attack on a national vessel, in our own waters in time of peace,
made an unusual excitement throughout the country which even extended to
Norristown, where a call was issued against "British tyranny and
oppression," and a public meeting held at the courthouse, July 22, 1807
"for the purpose of expressing their sense of the late unwarrantable and
dastardly outrage committed by one of the British ships of war on the
American frigate, "Chesapeake."  General Francis Swaine was appointed
president and Samuel Patterson secretary.  Levi Pawling, William Henderson,
Israel Bringhurst, George Weaver, Mathias Holstein, John Markley and James
Whinard reported seven resolution, wherein, they state

    "That the outrage committed by the British ship-of-war 'Leopard' on the
American frigate 'Chesapeake', and the murder of our seamen, whether it be
considered as an act of the British government, or of individuals who
committed it, requires rigid retribution or honorable reparation.  That we
will, at the hazard of our lives and properties, support the proclamation
of the President of the United States, and any other measures that may be
adopted by the constituted authorities to obtain redress from the British
government for the reparation of our national honor and insulted
sovereignty.  At this crisis it is the duty of every citizen who is not
conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms to arm in defense of its
injured country, and to prepare for the event of a war."

    As a result, notice was given by John Richards, brigade inspector of New
Hanover township, to the enrolled persons; between the ages of eighteen and
forty-five years, and not exempted from military duty, that an election of
the First Brigade, Second Division of Pennsylvania Militia, would be held,
July 31, 1807, for one brigadier-general, one brigadier inspector, one
lieutenant-colonel for each regiment and one major for each battalion in
the county; for the Thirty-sixth Regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel
Henderson, at the house of Frederick Dull, Hickorytown; for the Fifty-first
Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Wentz, at Frederick
Conrad's, Esq., in Worcester; for the Fifty-sixth Regiment, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Snyder, at Jesse Kirk's, in Horsham; for the
Eighty-sixth Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Davis, at
Henry Krebs', in New Hanover; the commanding officers to appoint suitable
persons to conduct the election and make returns thereof according to law;
the company officers to appoint the day and place of meeting for the
election of the officers of companies .

759

    A draft of upwards of six hundred men having been ordered as Montgomery 
County's quota who were required to report at Norristown and to there enter 
the service, at eleven o'clock on December 16th, that year, the line was 
formed in a field adjacent to the town to carry out the aforesaid object.  
The right was flanked by Captain Pawling's dragoons, Captain Shives' 
artillery, Captain Bucher's rifle company and Captain Gross' infantry; the 
left by Captain Weber's dragoons, and Captains Holgate's, Welist's 
Mintzner's And Barn's infantry; the sixteen companies of drafted militia 
being placed in the centre.  The whole was placed under the command of 
Colonel Reed, to whom was allotted the command of the detachment.  The 
cavalry who were all uniformed and mounted, had considerably exceeded the 
quota, and all the volunteer corps was neatly equipped, and the militia 
generally armed.  Major-General Swaine and Brigadier-General Scheetz, 
attended by their aids, and Major Norny, the brigade inspector, reviewed 
the line and received a general salute.  The whole marched in regular order 
through the town, and then returned to the former ground, where the 
volunteers were dismissed.  On this occasion several of the companies had 
come a distance of twenty-five miles.

    Among the early and enterprising improvers of Norristown, can be 
mentioned Michael Broadt, a name we believe, that has since been changed to 
Broades.  Concerning his history at this writing we possess little beyond 
what is fragmentary.  He constructed a drying-house and powder-mill in 
Norristown about 1799, and while conducting a series of experiments with 
his newly-made powder, nine hundred pounds of it became ignited and, blew 
up one of the buildings, injuring one of his employees, while he 
fortunately escaped injury.  He was a well-educated German and took an 
interest in educational matters, being one of the founders of the academy, 
and was elected in 1803 one of its first trustees.  This same year he 
secured the services of Charles Fortman, a graduate of one of the German 
universities, to give instruction in the English, German, French and Latin 
languages, and also on the piano-forte, on the latter, no doubt, the first 
teacher in the county.  At this date he also advertises building lots for 
sale.  It is probable, that in addition to carrying on several manufactories 
he also kept a public-house, for on December 6, 1806, he advertises "all that 
noted old Tavern Stand, known by the sign of the 'New Moon' and thirty 
acres of land, with stabling for twenty-horses, oil-mill, plaster-of-
Paris mill, powder-mill and carding-machine."  On September 20th of this year 
his daughter Sarah was married to William Chain, also of Norristown.  
In June, 1807, he informs the public "that his machinery for picking and 
rolling wool is in complete order.  Persons living at a distance are 
required to bring in their own wool soon in order that they may have it done 
while they wait for it to take back with them."  Whether he died about this 
time we are unable to state, but know that he was succeeded in the spring of 
1810 by his son, Daniel Broadt, who, in the summer of 1811, advertises that 
after several years' experience and instruction under his father, he was 
prepared to pick and card either cotton or wool in quantities of from 
twenty or thirty pounds in two or three hours.

    Application was made by a number of the citizens of Norristown to have it 
incorporated with the rights and privileges of a borough.  The act was 
passed March 31, 1812, and its bounds set forth: -

    Beginning at the river Schuylkill, at the corner of Levi Pawling and 
Mathew Chain's land thence along the line of Mathew Chain and Miles Abbet's 
land, on the one side, and the land of Levi Pawling, Philip Hahn, Jr., 
Robert Hamel, George Righter and John Miller, on the other side, to a 
corner of said Miller and Joseph Crawford's lands; thence on the line of 
the said Crawford and William Deal's land, and on the one side, and John 
Miller, Thomas Ross, John Markley, Thomas Stroud, William Boyd and Simon 
Kesey's on the other side, to the Plymouth township line ; thence along the 
said line to the river Schuylkill; thence up the several courses thereof to 
the place of beginning."

    The act of incorporation required that the burgess, Town Council and high 
constable be elected annually.  Section Fourth stated, "That if any persons 
duly elected as burgess or a member of the town Council or constable, and 
having received notice thereof as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to 
take upon himself the execution of the office to which he shall have been 
elected, every person so refusing or neglecting shall forfeit and pay a sum 
not exceeding twenty dollars."

    As laid out at this time, the borough was wholly taken from Norriton 
township, and contained an area of about five hundred and twenty acres, 
being nearly a mile square.  It extended on the river from the mouth of Stony 
Creek to the Plymouth line, somewhat over a mile.  The population probably 
did not exceed five hundred, as by the census of 1820 we know it only 
contained eight hundred and twenty-seven inhabitants showing an unusually 
slow growth, after having been laid out as a town and a county-seat twenty-
seven years, and withal possessing such unusual advantages to help to 
promote its prosperity.  It was the first borough incorporated in the 
county, and at this time Saw-Mill Run divided it into nearly two equal 
portions.  The first election under its charter was held on Friday, May 1, 
1812, when Francis Swaine was elected burgess;
Mathias Holstein
John Coates
David Thomas
Robert Hamill
James Winnard
Lewis Shrack
Philip Hahn, Jr., Town Council; and 
Wendle Fisher, high constable.

End Part - I