History: Local: Chapter XLVII: Borough of Norristown - Part II : 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. 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 BEAN'S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 760 EARLY ROADS AND STREETS. -The road from North Wales or Gwynedd Meeting- house to Swedes' Ford was confirmed in March, 1738, and at September Sessions, 1756, was ordered to be opened thirty-two feet wide, most probably the earliest highway within the present limits of the borough. We know by William Scull's map of 1770 that the Egypt or Ridge road had then been laid out for several years, for it is denoted thereon as leading to Friends' Meeting-house in Providence. A petition was sent to the Court of Quarter Sessions "for a public road from the New Reading or Egypt road to John Bull's mill, and from thence across the river Schuylkill at or near the lower end of Barbadoes Island, and from thence to the most convenient public road to the Swedes' Ford." This road was laid out April 25, 1774, by Benjamin Jacobs, Thomas Rees, John Howell, John Murray, Benjamin Rittenhouse and Henry Pawling. The court confirmed the same in June, 1774, and it was ordered to be thirty-three feet wide. We ascertain from the aforesaid that the "new Reading or Egypt road" could not have been so long opened, or it would not have borne that name, and that "Crawford's Meadows" were then within the present limits of the borough, most probably a short distance above the mouth of the present Saw-Mill Run. Egypt road is said to have received this singular name from its going to the "Fatlands," a fertile section of country lying on the Schuylkill, below or south of the Perkiomen. Of the eleven commissioners appointed to sell stock for making this road a turnpike in May, 1811, Francis Swaine, John Markley and Levi Pawling resided in the borough; the former was elected president of the company January 6, 1812. The bed of the road was to be laid with stone, twenty-four feet wide, twelve inches deep, and to have good summer roads wherever practicable. It was finished in 1816 and cost seven thousand dollars per mile. This was a great improvement in its day, and afforded a good road to the city the whole year around. In the laying- out of the town, in 1785, the Egypt road formed the basis by which all the other streets were to be regulated, -namely, by being either parallel with or at right angles to the same. Mention is made in 1830 that "the streets of the town have lately been leveled and graded and some of them paved with bricks and flags." An act of Assembly was passed March 8, 1834, appointing Alan W. Corson, Evan Jones, Henry Scheetz and George Richards commissioners, "with full power to alter, vacate, widen and extend the streets, and lay out such additional streets as may be necessary." They met on the 20th of May and appointed Mr. Gill as their surveyor and engineer. Owing to the ungraded condition of the streets and their irregular widths, this was a delicate duty to perform with the several holders of the lands and tenements, but when properly carried out must have greatly tended to beautify and improve the place, of which the benefit conferred thereby has since become so apparent. In 1803 Swede Street was the only highway, excepting the Swedes' Ford road, over half a mile below, that also led to the Schuylkill. Thomas B. Hahn, in recollections of Norristown in 1816, mentions "the big teams and great wagons that made the fire fly coming down Chain's Hill," west of Stony Creek. In 1867 Swede Street was turnpiked beyond the borough limits on to Centre Square. EARLY INNS. -It is very probable that among the first houses erected within the present limits of the borough may have been public-houses for the accommodation of travelers. In 1758, Nicholas Scull mentions the Norrington House on his map as being on the east side of Stony Creek, where Main Street now crosses that stream. Archibald Thompson, Matthew Henderson and John Elliot, in 1766, were recommended to the court as proper persons for license, in Norriton township. In 1776 we find the former called an inn- holder and assessed for eighty acres of land. It is probable that he was the husband of Hannah Thompson, who kept the inn here in 1784, which was at or near the site of the Norrington House, Mr. Thompson was a colonel in the Revolutionary army, and died November 1, 1779, at the early age of thirty- nine years, and was buried in Norriton churchyard. For his patriotism his property here also was destroyed in the general conflagration by the British in September, 1777, for which Hannah Thompson was allowed by the State eight hundred and seven pounds damages. Six inns licensed in the township in 1786, were kept by Hannah Thompson, John Shannon, John Wentz, George Gilbert, Josiah Wood and Abraham Woolford. In 1790 three inns were kept here, whose signs were "General Washington," "Eagle" and "Rising Sun." In 1801, George Pflieger kept the "Golden Swan" then owned by Andrew Swenk, and the "Plough," lately kept by Jeremiah Wills deceased, that had stabling for forty horses. Lewis Shrack kept an inn nearest to the court-house, in 1803, which was owned by Seth Chapman. Michael Broadt kept the "New Moon" in 1804, to which stabling was attached sufficient for fifty horses, the house being built of stone, forty-five by thirty-two feet, with four rooms on each floor. This was the present "Pennsylvania Farmer" stand, on Main Street, below Stony Creek. Elisha Evans kept a public-house in 1802, where a traveling showman the following year announced to exhibit "a male bison from Louisiana, that resembles the ox, the bear and the jackass." Benjamin Rambo advertised, in 1810, that, "noted tavern-stand, sign of the 'Buck,' the nearest inn to the court-house, on the road to Correll's Ferry, a large two-story stone house," which was then kept by him. This stand may have been the present Rambo House. 761 The "Rising Sun" tavern in 1812 is mentioned as containing stabling and sheds one hundred feet in length. Morris Jones gives notice, in July, 1813, that he kept the "Norristown Hotel, corner of Egypt or Main and De Kalb Streets," and that "a constant supply of newspapers will be kept for the use of the house." This is interesting for giving an early mention of "hotel," which it would appear was now about being introduced as more pretentious than inn or tavern. It was a two-story stone house, forty by thirty-seven feet, with an adjoining kitchen. The stable was also of stone, fifty by twenty-seven feet, with sheds and outbuildings. This property was built by General Isaiah Wells about 1800, and kept by him until his election as sheriff, when be moved to the jail. It was long known as the most noted stage-house in Norristown. Mrs. Webb advertised, in the summer of 1816, that she bad taken the Washington House. At this date, according to David Sower, Jr.'s enumeration, the place contained five public-houses. Mrs. E. Rudd announced in 1834 keeping the White Horse Hotel, with a livery stable attached, where are "constantly on hand for hire, horses, sulkeys, dearborn waggons and close body carriages." Isaac Pritner at that date kept "the Rising Sun Tavern, on Egypt Street, opposite the Court-House." The Norristown Hotel was then kept by Levi Roberts, and was offered at public sale by the assignees of Isaiah Wells. The tavern property of John Branch in 1829 was advertised as being a three-story stone building, with five rooms on a floor, with ice-house, stabling and twenty acres of land attached. In 1831 the place was mentioned as containing eight public-houses; the most noted as stage-houses were kept by Jesse Roberts, Mr. Paxson and Mrs. Ann Webb. The latter we know was in the business in 1824. What is now known as the Farmers' and Mechanics' Hotel, on the north side of Main Street, east of Stony Creek, was formerly long kept by Abraham Eschbach. About 1828, Richard Richison kept it, when a number of cannon-balls were discovered in the back yard, that no doubt bad been left there in the Revolution. It was at this place that the mansion- house of Colonel Bull stood, which he occupied from 1772 until near the close of 1776. There is a tradition that the Washington House kept by David Heebner in 1858 received its name in consequence of Washington having stayed over night there in October, 1794, while on his journey to Carlisle during the Whiskey Insurrection, and that it was then also used as the headquarters of Governor Mifflin. In 1837 the public-houses had increased to nine. The "Washington" was kept by Abraham Markley, the "Rising Sun" by Samuel Sharpless, the "Eagle" by Henry Kerr, the Norristown Hotel by Jacob Spang, and the "Pennsylvania Farmer" by Daniel Emery. As indicative of the charges going on, we may mention that as public-houses the Washington House, the Rising Sun and Norristown Hotel have for some time ceased to exist. The "Eagle" is the present Rambo House, since greatly enlarged. EARLY STAGE LINES. In close connection with the history of inns comes the subject of travel in public stage lines. No doubt the first passing through the place was established by William Coleman in 1788, and on which lie drove for twenty-seven consecutive Years. It started from the "White Swan," in Race Street, every Wednesday morning at seven o'clock, and passed through Pottsgrove to Reading, making weekly trips. In 1804, having received the contract for carrying the mail, he made two trips weekly. A stage also passed through Norristown in 1802 for Pottsgrove, starting from "Hay's Inn," Philadelphia, every Wednesday at sunrise, and must have been an additional line. We possess no earlier knowledge of a stage terminating its journey at Norristown until in August 1808, when Hezekiah Jeffries established one, starting from Jesse Roberts' inn, sign of the "Rising Sun," every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at six o'clock, returning, on the intervening days at two o'clock P.M., from the "White Horse", kept by John Haines, on Fourth 'Street, below Race, The fare through was one dollar. In the beginning of 1812, Daniel Woodruff became the proprietor of the "Norristown Coachee," and changed it the following year into a daily line. Lewis Shrack became the owner in 1824, starting from John Branch's tavern, and returning from Robert Evans' inn, Race Street. Henry Styer and Levi Roberts, in the fall of 1827, established a daily line to the city, making the distance through in three and a half hours. This in 1829 became the daily mail line, and was then owned by John Crawford & Co., with the fare reduced to seventy-five cents. The packet-boat, "Comet of Norristown," in the spring of 1829, commenced five trips weekly to the city with passengers, but was originally started from Reading on the completion of the canal and navigation in 1825. In 1830 the travel had increased so that there was thirteen stages passing through the place, carrying daily from fifty to one hundred passengers. From the 1st to the 30th of April, inclusive, the number of stage passengers who stopped at Mr. Robert's hotel was 1194, at Mrs. Webb's, 946, and at Mr. Paxson's, 616, making a total of 2776 for the month. This travel must have added considerably to the business of the inns. Thomas B. Hahn, in his "Reminiscences of Norristown about 1816," thus humorously describes one of its stages, - "There were few such public, conveyances, but among the few was a line of stages between Norristown and Philadelphia, and I remember well how they looked. On the side of the vehicle, which resembled a Mississippi flat- boat, was inscribed in large letters the name of the proprietor. It left every morning for the city at 7 o'clock, and its departure and arrival were great event. It was open in from and drawn by four horses, and that important character, the driver, was furnished with a long tin horn, and also sometimes with another kind of a horn, that would occasion him to blow an extra and sufficient blast that it might be known that the great mail stage was about to leave for 'town.'" 762 Of course, with the introduction of railroads the business commenced to decline, and, in consequence, no longer assume the importance of the past; yet, as an adjunct to travel, it deserves honorable notice from what was thus accomplished when no readier or better facilities for more expeditious conveyance existed. EARLY MANUFACTORIES. -From its very beginning, through the favorable circumstances of its situation, Norristown became a manufacturing place, which has developed and kept pace with its growth. Charles Norris had built it grist-mill here, several years before 1771, propelled by the Schuylkill, by means of a dam erected from the northern shore to Barbadoes Island. In the latter year it came into the possession of Colonel Bull, who made additional improvements, so that, on the sale thereof to Rev. William Smith, in October, 1776, it was stated to embrace a grist-mill, powder-mill and other buildings, which were all burned by the British. This property came in possession of John Markley, in 1801, who mentions it as possessing a merchant flour-mill and saw-mill, besides two excellent mill-seats. James Shannon was assessed in 1776 on a saw-mill in Norriton Township; and in 1785, two grist-mills, four saw-mills and a tannery are mentioned. The latter stood on the river's bank, opposite Swedes' Ford, and in 1804 was owned by John Markley, who had inherited it, with forty-seven acres of land, from his father in 1800. Michael Broadt had a powder-mill in operation in 1800, and in 1805 an oil-mill twenty-five by thirty feet, plaster-mill and a carding-machine. The latter came into the possession of his son, Daniel Broadt, in 1810, who had additional machinery erected to pick and roll wool and cotton. A writer of the "Herald" stated in 1853 "that fifty years previously almost every house in Norristown contained a large and small spinning-wheel, and that the ladies dressed in linsey-woolsey and the boys ran about barefooted." At that time, Henry Freedly carried on quite successfully, in the rear of the present Montgomery House, a pottery and the manufacture of earthenware, in which he was succeeded by Enos Jacoby. Jonathan Taylor advertised in March 1807, at private sale his mills on Stony Creek, the grist-mill being four stories high, twenty-one by thirty-five feet in dimensions, a saw-mill and a plaster-mill built in 1801. This property, in the fall of that year, was purchased by David Shoemaker, of Whitemarsh. Mathias Koplin, from Providence township, carried on the grist-mill and saw-mill on the Schuylkill that had formerly belonged to John Markley, afterwards conducted by James Bolton and Levi Pawling. Mathias Holstein became the-proprietor of the merchant flour-mill at the foot of Mill Street about 1812, and had, here in operation in 1814 a machine to grind corn on the cob. In 1829 he stated his mill able to manufacture three hundred barrels of flour per week. David Sower, Jr., in his enumeration of Norristown in 1816, stated that there was then in operation two merchant mills, one woolen-factory, one pottery, one tannery and two hat- factories. Philip Hahn, Sr., in the spring of 1818, had in operation a fulling-mill on Stony Creek. In 1826, Samuel R. Wood carried on the manufacture of white lead, making from five to six tons per week. In that year he also erected an extensive mill for sawing marble. The manufacturing establishments of Norristown for 1830 were reported to comprise two saw-mills, four merchant grist-mills, one oil-mill, one brick- yard, one lime-kiln, one hatter and one tanner. A marble saw-mill with one hundred and seventy-four saws, had the capacity of sawing one thousand superficial feet per week. The cotton-mill of Bernard McCredy, the building of which was commenced in the spring of 1826, at the foot of Swede Street, one hundred and fifty by forty-eight feet, and five stories high, containing near seven thousand spindles. Mr. Freedley's cotton-mill also of stone, forty-seven by thirty-eight feet, two stories high, having one hundred and forty-three looms in operation, making thirty thousand yards of cotton goods weekly. According to the census of 1840, Norristown then possessed three cotton manufactories, with nineteen thousand one hundred and sixty-four spindles, and one dye and print-works; value of products, $454,958, and giving employment to five hundred hands. This brief sketch of early manufacturing industries is here offered as introductory to the greatly increased business of this day, for which it laid the foundation and opened the way for what may still lead to greater success. EARLY SCHOOLS. -Although Norristown in 1790 did not contain over eighteen houses, yet mention is made of a school-house. It is probable that in the laying out of the town in 1785 for a county-seat, a lot of ground had either been reserved or some time previously granted for this purpose. A writer, in giving reminiscences of the place in 1853, mentions in the beginning of the century here "a small schoolhouse." This statement does not appear correct, for on the completion of the academy a committee sold the school-building at public sale, January 11, 1805, and in the advertisement thereof it is described as standing on lot No. 3, "being on the main street, near the centre of the town, built of stone, two-stories high, one room and entry on the lower floor and two on the second." We certainly perceive here a fair-sized building, particularly for a village that then did not contain over fifty-five houses, and probably when first built did not comprise one-third this number; but it is possible that it may have been enlarged. The earliest teacher whose name we have been enabled to ascertain was the Rev. John Jones, a Presbyterian clergyman, who taught in the aforesaid schoolhouse in September, 1803, if not somewhat earlier. 763 He kept an assistant teacher and gave instructions in English grammar and the Latin and Greek languages. It was about this time or a little later that John J. Audubon, of Lower Providence, afterwards the celebrated naturalist, was engaged to give pupils instruction in drawing, partly in exchange for lessons in English, and who, it appears, was then retained at intervals for several years thereafter. He was at this time about thirty- two or thirty-three years of age and unmarried. In the spring of 1803, Charles Fortman, a graduate of one of the German universities, came to Norristown, boarding with Michael Broadt, of the "New Moon" tavern, and advertised to give instructions in the English, German and French languages and vocal and instrumental music, especially on the piano-forte and organ. Among his pupils was the wife of General Francis Swaine, who was, probably, one of the first owners of a piano in Norristown. The instruction books of Mr. Fortman were all in manuscript, written by him in three languages, and are models of penmanship. The writer's father was one of his pupils and possesses several of these, which are now highly valued. Besides the academy was the opening of a boarding-school for young ladies and day scholars by Amelia Stokes, in September 1811. She announced to teach among the branches "English grammar, elements of geography and history, together with plain sewing, marking and embroidery." This year the teachers in and around Norristown organized a "Franklinian Society, for the purpose of disseminating knowledge in the most simple, expeditious and rational method, and for the better maintaining of brotherly affection among teachers of every denomination." The first quarterly meeting was held at the house of Samuel Patterson, in Norristown, the first Saturday in November, 1811, at three o'clock P.M. Francis Murphy, a noted teacher at this time, was the secretary. Nathan Smith, from the Gulf, in Upper Merion announces the opening of a boarding-school "for young gentlemen and ladies," January 20, 1814, in which he proposed to teach besides, the ordinary branches, book-keeping, elocution, English grammar, composition, geography, mathematics, astronomy and the Latin and Greek languages. Charge for tuition and boarding per annum, one hundred and sixty dollars; for day scholars per quarter, seven dollars; pupils limited to fifty. What success attended this effort we are unable to state. A meeting of the teachers of the county was called at Norristown May 21, 1814, when Hugh Dickson was called to the chair and Joseph Foulke appointed secretary. It was agreed by the meeting that pupils be chargeable from the time of entry until notice be given to leave the school; the charge to pupils advanced no farther than spelling and reading to be two dollars per quarter; from commencing in writing and arithmetic, two dollars and fifty cents; and in geometry, three dollars. In the summer of 1816, David Sower, Jr., stated that at this time there were four schools taught in the borough. "Two daily primary schools" were mentioned in 1830. William M. Hough, who was principal of Loller Academy in 1835, subsequently removed to Norristown, where he opened a select school for boys on the present site of Oakland Seminary, in which he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Aaron in April, 1841. This was the only private school in the place. In December, 1844, he opened Treemount Seminary, for young men and boys which he continued to conduct with considerable success until his financial embarrassment, when in September, 1859, he removed to Mount Holly, where he died in 1865. The Rev. James Grier Ralston opened a seminary for young ladies in October, 1845, with only four pupils, but it was attended with such success that before 1858 he had in use the most extensive school buildings that had heretofore been erected in the county, being four stories high and two hundred and twenty-five by forty-two feet in dimensions, known as the Oakland Female Institute. Mr. Ralston stated in 1876 that up to that date two thousand five hundred young ladies, had received instruction within its walls. He died November 10, 1880, and a short time before this relinquished the business, since which it has not been used for educational purposes. In 1857 the Misses Bush established the Adelphian Institute for young ladies, which was continued for several years. At the present time the only private seminary in the place is Treemount, for young men and boys, of which John W. Loch became principal in 1861, and has since successfully conducted the school. THE ACADEMY. -In taking a glimpse of the educational establishments of the past, the old academy should not be forgotten, for within its time-honored walls many now on the stage of action received their education. The school- house previously used in Norristown being deemed inadequate for the size of the place, and with a view of having higher branches taught therein, a meeting was held at the house of Elisha Evans, January 29, 1803, at four o'clock P.M., "for the purpose of establishing an Academy at Norristown." On this occasion General Andrew Porter was chosen chairman, and it was agreed to hold an adjourned meeting at the same place on the following Saturday. General Francis Swaine, Seth Chapman and Levi Pawling were appointed a committee to prepare a plan to be laid before the next meeting. Their report was approved, which suggested "that it is practicable to build an Academy in Norristown sufficiently large to accommodate those who may select it for the education of youth, and that the establishment of a seminary of learning will be advantageous to the citizens of Montgomery County generally, and that this meeting will use every reasonable endeavor to obtain so desirable an object." 764 Thirty-five persons were authorized to prepare subscription papers and distribute them for the purpose of securing, the requisite aid. The persons selected for this purpose were William Tennant John Richards Francis Nichols Philip Boyer Archibald Darrah Francis Swaine Seth Chapman Robert Hammill Isaiah Wells John Jones Robert Loller Samuel Malsby Samuel Henderson Thomas Potts Frederick Conrad Ezekiel Rhoads Joseph Potts Michael Broadt Slater Clay Peter Richards Benjamin Markley Israel Bringhurst Andrew Porter John Markley Morris Jones Levi Pawling William Henderson Samuel Miles Henry Scheetz Cadwalder Evans, Jr. David Lukens John Elliott Joseph Tyson John Wentz Benjamin Brooks. They were certainly a judicious selection; their being included in this list some of the most intelligent, public-spirited and influential citizens residing in the county. They were also instructed to prepare a plan for the building and to make an estimate of its cost for the consideration of the next meeting, in February of said year. An act was passed March 29, 1804, in vesting its thirteen trustees with the usual corporate power and authorizing them to sell the lot of ground and school- house thereon for the benefit of the academy. It is probable that the building of the academy was commenced in the spring of 1803, but not wholly finished until the summer of the following year. The Rev. John Jones was selected its first principal, and must have taught school therein at least in the beginning of 1804, for he held "a public examination of the students of Norristown Academy" in the court-house, April 14th of that year, in reading and pronunciation, English grammar and Latin and Greek classics." As a committee on behalf of the trustees, Francis Swaine, Levi Pawling and Isaac Huddleson sold the former school-building at public sale January 11, 1805, and the proceeds were applied to the academy. An additional let was passed February 11, 1805, by which the State appropriated five thousand dollars for its completion. In the order of time it was the tenth institution of the kind incorporated in Pennsylvania. It was built of brick, two stories high and forty by thirty feet in dimensions. The first floor contained one large room that could seat one hundred and twenty-five pupils, desks being provided for about half that number. The second story was divided into two rooms, reached by separate stairways at either end of the building. It was surmounted by a cupola which contained a bell of fine tone and considerable power. Its location was at the lower end of the present market-house and on the north, side of the intersection of Airy and De Kalb, partly extending, into the latter street, which did not extend any father, its front facing the Schuylkill. How long Mr. Jones was principal we are unable to state but it must been for several years. He is said to of formed the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church here in 1814, which held worship in the academy until the erection of the church building of the church in 1817, when the Rev. Joseph Barr succeeded him as principal of the school and pastor of the church. The Episcopalians also held there meeting for worship in it in 1811 and continued there until the completion of their church in 1814. The Baptists, Methodist, and Catholics also worshiped there until the erection of their churches. Thomas B. Hahn in his "Reminiscences of Norristown about 1816-17," states: "I remember the Academy on the hill, -pretty good reason to remember it, for old Joseph Barr, and another Barr, a son of his used to lay on the 'sprouts' in a manner that would be a caution to schoolboys nowadays. Judge Loller, of Hatboro', who was one of its first trustees, had the kindness to remember it in his will, dated June 4, 1808, by donating to its use the sum of fifty pounds. It is possible, that through this position, he had his mind first directed to the subject which led, five years later, to the foundation of Loller Academy. Mr. Barr, in the fall of 1813, was installed pastor of the Providence and Norriton Churches, and as his salary was inadequate to his support, was induced to assume the charge of the academy. The Rev. Robert H. McClenachan, also pastor of the Norristown Presbyterian Church, became principal of the academy, and likely succeeded Mr. Barr. In 1825, and for several years afterwards, Eliphalet Roberts was, principal and had charge of the English, and Mr. Howe of the classical department. About 1842, Rev. Samuel Aaron became principal, and retained the position until about the close of 1844, when he started the Treemount Seminary. About 1845 De Kalb Street was graded and extended northwards, leaving the academy standing some ten or twelve feet above the present grade. In order to carry out the contemplated improvements it was deemed necessary that it should be removed, and so in 1849 its walls were finally razed to the ground, and thus passed away forever this institution after all existence of nearly half a century, the nursery of tuition to many youth and young men under able instructors. Not a trace now remains of either the old academy or its famous playground of an acre in extent, for even the surface of the latter, too, has been removed, a sacrifice to modern improvements. But the reminiscences of both will long linger in tradition among the descendants of its pupils. Within this building the Montgomery County Bible Society of which the Rev. Bird Wilson was president held its first meeting in 1819. When the Cabinet of Natural Science was started about 1830, it was here that they held their meeting and kept their collections, which such men as Peter A. Browne and Alan W. Corson felt an interest to promote, and whose proceedings were maintained for some twelve years. As the property was held in trust for the benefit of the public, it became necessary to have an act of the Legislature passed to have it sold and the proceeds of the sale were placed to the credit of the borough school-fund. A small drawing of the academy was made in 1842, and is, perhaps, the only remaining memorial to convey some idea of its appearance. 765 LUMBER AND COAL. -About the beginning of the century John Markley bad established a lumber-yard in Norristown, where he advertised sixty thousand feet of one and one-half inch pine boards for sale in June 1804. Thomas & Holstein, in connection with their store, announced, in May, 1808, having on hand and for sale one hundred thousand feet of boards. George & J. Righter established this year a lumberyard, "having a lot of well-seasoned boards of almost every description." At this period the principal carpenters and builders were Samuel Crawford and Thomas Stroud. The former erected the courthouse and Presbyterian Church, the latter the Episcopal Church and McCredy's cotton-factory. David Sowers, Jr., in his enumeration in 1816, states that the borough then contained one lumber-yard, one brick-yard and four master-carpenters. Benjamin Davies, in his "Account of Philadelphia," published in 1794, makes the following remarks respecting the increasing scarcity of fuel: "The price of firewood, which advances year after year with the increased demand for it, would be an alarming circumstance to those who wish well the prosperity of the city were it not well known that there are many rich bodies of pit-coal near the banks of the Susquehanna, Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, the most distant not above one hundred and fifty miles from the city, which will, when opened, afford an inexhaustible source of fuel, in the interim, to lessen the expense of this item in house-keeping, many of the inhabitants have introduced the use of stoves, a custom borrowed from the Germans, a frugal and industrious people, who compose, a numerous class of citizens of Philadelphia." Joseph Pastorius announced having received in the fall of 1824, at his lumber-yard, in the borough of Norristown, "several arks of Schuylkill coal. Families and smiths call be supplied with any quantity on reasonable terms." The "Herald" of October 26, 1825, states that "we are pleased to find that a number of our enterprising citizens have commenced the burning of stone-coal. Grates and stoves are now fixed up in several of the offices, bar-rooms and private dwellings in this borough. It is generally admitted that coal at seven dollars per ton is cheaper than hickory wood at five dollars per cord." In October of this year Joseph Pastorius advertised having on hand "a regular supply of Schuylkill coal of the first quality at seven dollars per ton." The aforesaid items, collected from several sources, possess at this time considerable interest, and go to show the remarkable changes that time has brought about. For that early date the remarks of Mr. Davies exhibit a remarkable knowledge of the extent, quality and uses of coal, which William Scull had denoted on his map of the province, published in 1770, which exposes considerable error respecting later discoveries on the subject. The information clearly demonstrates that coal was known considerably earlier than what has been generally supposed; the difficulty of bringing it to market alone prevented its earlier introduction for all the purposes of a fuel. EVENTS FOLLOWING THE BOROUGH INCORPORATION. -Three months had not passed away after the incorporation of Norristown before war had been declared by the United States against Great Britain for the many injuries done to our commerce and the repeated insults offered us as a nation. Thomas Mahon, of the Sixteenth Regiment United States Infantry, was stationed as commanding officer here in the fall of 1812, to enlist men for the service. Captain Horatio Davis, in the spring of 1813, was sent in the place of the former, and at his rendezvous posted up the following notice: "All patriotic young men are invited to come forward who are able and willing to serve their country and engage only for twelve months. Each recruit shall receive $16 bounty and $8 per month. A corporal will be entitled to $9, and a sergeant to $11 per month. Plenty of good rations will be provided and excellent clothing furnished." On hearing of the news of the capture of Maiden by General Harrison, Norristown was illuminated on the evening of October 1st of this year. Lieutenant Samuel Ladd was made the recruiting officer here at the latter date, and in the following March offered "$124 bounty and 160 acres of land to those joining the service at $8 per month. For procuring the enlistment of a recruit, $8 will be paid." While the office was established here five of the recruits ran away, for whom a reward of ten dollars each was offered, and" all reasonable charges when committed to any officer in the service of the United Peace was concluded December 24, 1814, when enlistments ceased. Charles Norris, a great-grandson of Isaac Norris, the original proprietor of the Manor of Norriton, died at his country-seat, near the borough, December 14, 1813, his wife, Eunice, having preceded him but little over a year. They were both respected members of the Society of Friends. His will, from which we glean the following family history, was dated but little over four months before his death. To his daughter Mary he leaves the farm of 170 acres in the tenure of David Shrack, to be struck off on the easterly side of land in the tenure of John Miller. To his daughter Deborah he leaves 229 acres in the tenure of Robert Getty, likewise 80 acres to be struck off of the plantation in the tenure of John Bartleswa, to run in a straight line from the Schuylkill to the township line-road. To his daughter Hepzibah, 30 acres where he now dwells, with all the out-buildings, and 30 acres now in the tenure of John Bartleswa, after 80 acres are taken off to his daughter Deborah, and 100 to his daughter Mary. To his daughter Hepzibah fifty dollars per annum as long as she lives. To his sister-in-law Keziah Gardner two hundred and forty dollars per annum arising from the Library Company as a ground rent as long as she remains single. Albanus Logan and John Jacobs were appointed his executors. Will proved January 15, 1814. It appears he had male descendants and that the family had still retained considerable land in the vicinity of the present borough. 766 A lot of ground containing one acre and ninety-six perches was purchased by the borough authorities from John Markley, May 13, 1814, "in trust for the use of the inhabitants of Norristown, for a public landing, under and subject to such rules and regulations as the Town Council or their successors in office may, from time to time, ordain and enact." This public wharf is situated on Stony Creek, below Main Street. John Markley, whom we have mentioned as sheriff from 1798 to 1805 became the owner here of five hundred and forty acres, with valuable improvements, purchased from William Moore Smith, who had obtained it from the university; it had previously belonged to Colonel John Bull. On account of his prominency, he deserves a further notice in this connection. In 1803 he was appointed one of the trustees of the academy, and in the following year he was engaged in the lumber business. In 1805 he erected the present buildings on Barbadoes Island, probably the first erected there. In 1809 he advertised the island for sale, but subsequently exchanged it for a heavily timbered farm to the rear of the borough. In the spring of 1811 he was appointed one of the commissioners for the sale of stock for the construction of the Ridge Road Turnpike Company. He was appointed recorder of deeds and register of wills for Montgomery County January 8, 1824, which he retained until 1830. He resided in the old Smith mansion, on the north side of Main Street, above Swede, where he died July 28, 1834, in his seventieth year. His ancestor, Jacob Merkle, residence in Perkiomen Township in 1734, where he was the owner of a farm rated for two hundred acres. Besides the offices mentioned, he was also a collector of the United States taxes and a county commissioner. David Sower, Jr., in his enumeration of the borough in the summer of 1816, states that it then contained one church an academy a fire-engine four schools about one hundred houses three physicians five lawyers one clergyman two magistrates two printers of weekly newspapers one apothecary two cabinet-makers three tailors one cedar-cooper one coach-maker three butchers five stores five taverns two plasterers one watch-maker one mason one chair-maker three blacksmith two hatters one saddler two oak'coopers one milliner one tanner one barber four carpenters four shoemakers. Before the year 1818 Norristown was a dull, quiet, dreamy place. No important public improvements had yet been completed, except the turnpike to Philadelphia, in 1816. Outside of politics, the great event was the holding of the courts four times in the year. The boatman's horn was not yet heard; no noise or smoke from furnaces, forges and, factories to disturb its tranquillity; the rumbling sounds from long trains of cars and the shrill whistle of the locomotive had not then even been dreamed of. The ark, the raft and the Reading boat, with the catching of shad, herring, rockfish, and the leaping into air of the sturgeon, gave some animation every spring to the waters of the Schuylkill, as well as to the fish-hawk, as he rapidly descended to strike his finny prey and convey it to his nest near some tall tree-top, sights that have passed away, and will not soon be witnessed here again. General Andrew Porter, of West Caln township, Chester Co., "purchased, May 10, 1786, of Alexander McCaman and Mary, his wife, of Norriton township, their plantation of one hundred and fifty-five acres, in two tracts, which they had obtained of Mary, widow of Charles Norris, deceased, September 3, 1770. On the death of General Porter, November 16, 1813, this property was advertised at public sale the following December 24th, and is described as being "on the Ridge turnpike road, eighteen miles from Philadelphia and one from Norristown, containing one hundred and twenty acres; a large stone dwelling-house, fifty feet front by thirty-six deep; stone barn, sixty by forty-five feet; a stone tenant-house; containing forty acres of woodland and twelve of meadow." We perceive here, that the buildings were quite commodious for that time, the house having been built by its then late proprietor, in 1794. Owing to the insufficiency of the bids offered, the place was not sold. The property was purchased from the heirs by Andrew Knox, Jr., in 1821, who made it his residence and died there in 1844, his widow surviving until 1858. His son, the late Colonel Thomas P. Knox, who became the proprietor in 1851, died there May 29, 1879, in his seventieth year, and it still remains in possession of his family. On this place David R. Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1838 to 1844; James M. Porter, Secretary of War under President Tyler; and George B. Porter, Governor of Michigan, sons of the first named, were born and reared. By the enlargement of Norristown in 1853 the Porter property was included in the borough limits. The visit of Lafayette in 1824 created an unusual excitement throughout the country. A meeting on this account was called by the officers of the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Pennsylvania Militia at the public-house of Mrs. Ann Webb, in Norristown, August 25, in that year. General Philip Boyer was appointed chairman, Colonel George W. Holstein and Colonel John E. Gross secretaries Colonel William Powell Colonel J. E. Gross and Lieutenant Richard B. Jones were appointed a committee to draft resolutions, which were adopted. Colonel G. W. Holstein, Colonel William Burk, Colonel William Powell, Major William Matheys, Captain Philip S. Markley and Lieutenant R. B. Jones were appointed "a committee of arrangements to wait on General Lafayette on his arrival in Philadelphia, and respectfully invite him to visit the county of Montgomery, particularly Whitemarsh, Barren Hill and also Valley Forge, -scenes that must be endeared to his recollection by events that tried men's souls." Among the military present at the reception in Philadelphia, September 30th, from Montgomery County, were two companies of cavalry, under the command of Captains William Matheys and George W. Holstein and the Norristown Guards, Captain P. S. Markley. Two canal-boats, called the "Lafayette" and "John G. Cosler," each twelve by sixty-five feet, and capable of carrying nearly one hundred tons, joined the three boats from Reading filled with military. The papers of the day stated that on this "joyful occasion would be identified three most interesting and important subjects for congratulation and triumph ever witnessed in Philadelphia, namely, the visit of Lafayette, the opening of the Schuylkill Canal and the arrival of the boats laden with coal from Mount Carbon." The deputation from Montgomery County waited on Lafayette at the State House September 29th. In reply he stated that owing to his several engagements, more particularly at Yorktown, October 19th, it was, therefore, not in his power to comply at present, but on his return it was his intention to visit those places. 767 For a few years after the completion of the Schuylkill Navigation, the stagnation of the water in the dams caused considerable alarm, on account of the increase of fever and ague. Twenty-four persons died in the borough during the year 1824, being equivalent to one in every thirty-seven of the population. Samuel Jamison, Sr., came to the borough in 1828 to superintend the starting of the first cotton-factory in the place, which had been erected by Bernard McCredy, in 1826, at the foot of Swede Street. After getting it in operation, owing to the prevalence of the disease, he was induced to leave, and removed to Holmesburg. It appears that after 1830 the fever gradually abated along the valley, until it has for years almost entirely disappeared throughout this section. By the act of September 13, 1785, the county was divided into three districts. The townships of Norriton, Plymouth, Whitpain, Upper Merion, Providence, Worcester and Perkiomen comprised the First District whose elections were ordered to be held in the courthouse at Norristown. The act of 1797 increased the number, and Perkiomen was attached to another district, whose elections were ordered to be held in the courthouse at Norristown. The First District, in October, 1802, polled 859 votes. In 1824 the district was composed of the borough of Norristown and the townships of Upper Merion, Plymouth, Norriton, Whitpain, Worcester and that part of Lower Providence east of Skippack Creek. In 1838 the district was reduced to Norristown, Upper Merion, Norriton, Plymouth and that part of Lower Providence mentioned. As to the manner of voting where several townships thus met together, it is explained that to each was assigned a window, with its own officers, instead of the whole district being confined to one ballot box. It is probable that before 1850 this method was entirely done away with, and every township had its designated election place within its own limits. Thus, instead of seven townships voting at one place in Norristown, as they did a century ago, we find now the borough itself divided into seven districts, each having its own polls. Owing to the increase of its population, an act was passed March 26, 1853, to enlarge the borough to its present dimensions. Philip Super, Charles T. Jenkins and John Thompson, residents of the county, were appointed commissioners to carry into effect the provisions of the act of Assembly. The prison erected in 1787 stood upon the site of the present courthouse, while the one in its place was built on a lot of ground two hundred and twenty-four by one hundred feet in extent, fronting on Airy Street, west of De Kalb. It is of red sandstone, in the castellated Norman style. The front building is one hundred by forty-four feet; the rear addition, containing the cells, is one hundred and thirty by sixty feet, the whole being two stories high. The cells are nine by thirteen feet each, in which the prisoners work at various employments, chiefly weaving and shoemaking. The criminals were removed from the old prison to the present structure on its completion, in the latter part of 1851. Its cost was about eighty-six thousand dollars. N. LeBrun was the architect. Its builders were Raysor & Templeton, the county commissioners at the time being Messrs. Dotts, Quillman and Major. The courthouse is one of the finest buildings of the kind in the State. It is built of native white marble, procured within a few miles of its site, as was also the lime used in its construction. It was erected during the years 1853 to 1856; N. LeBrun was the architect. The front on Swede Street is one hundred and ninety-six feet, with a central width of sixty- four feet, the wings being sixty-six by forty-seven feet. The massive portico in front is supported by six Ionic columns. The steeple was originally two hundred feet high, and was placed to rest partly on the portico. Being deemed unsafe, it was reduced, prior to 1876, to its present height, which somewhat mars the general harmony of the parts. It contains a clock and a bell weighing three thousand two hundred and thirty-two pounds, cast at Troy, N. Y. The various county offices, the Law Library, and other rooms for the use of court proceedings, arbitrations, etc., are in the building. The cost was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of which nineteen hundred and seventy dollars was allowed the architect for his services. The old courthouse built in 1787 was torn down in 1855, and the, grass of the public square grows over the spot where justice was administered for sixty-seven years, and where the elections for all the neighboring townships were held for more than half a century. 768 In the public square adjoining the courthouse a soldiers' monument has been erected, composed of white and blue marble, nineteen feet high, dedicated September 17, 1869. It contains the names of five hundred and forty-seven soldiers who enlisted in the county and died in the service during the late great Rebellion; the total number furnished for the same in Montgomery being nearly eight thousand men. PICTURE OF SOLDIER'S MONUMENT, NORRISTOWN, APPEARS HERE. Among the most notable events that have occurred in Norristown was the late celebration of the centennial of the county. The association that brought it about originated at a meeting of the Montgomery County Historical Society held February 22, 1883, when a joint committee of the Society and of the county officers appointed one person from each election district to prepare and arrange the necessary plans. The association held a meeting the following September 10th, when several gentlemen were called upon to offer remarks and suggestions for its success, which was responded to by Colonel T. W. Bean, Rev. C. Z. Weiser, William J. Buck, J. J. Morrison, Dr. C. N. Mann, George N. Corson and Dr. S. Wolf. A committee of eight was appointed on permanent organization. A president and other officers, with a chairman of the executive committee and of finance, antiquities, programme, literary exercises, parade and the Rittenhouse memorial were also duly chosen. The four principal rooms in the courthouse and a portion of the yard were secured, in which the antiquarian exhibition was held the following year from September 9th to 12th, inclusive, and which was visited by probably twenty thousand persons, exhibits having been sent in by almost every district, embracing all matters bearing on the history and progress of the county since its first settlement. In the departments of early and rare books, manuscripts, family Bibles, coins, paper money, minerals, wearing apparel, Indian and revolutionary relies and agricultural implements the exhibit was particularly excellent. On the first day the opening address was made by Joseph Fornance, the president of the association, after which the Rittenhouse meridian stone was dedicated in the courthouse yard, with an address by Hon. B. M. Boyer. On the second day the memorial exercises were held in Music Hall, which was crowded to its utmost capacity. Music was furnished by a chorus of more than one hundred voices accompanied by an orchestra. The historical address was delivered by William J. Buck, the poem by George N. Corson and the general address by Rev. C. Z. Weiser. On Thursday, or the third day, the parade in honor of the occasion came off, Colonel John W. Schall being chief marshal, about five thousand being in the line, embracing military, firemen, fraternal and benevolent organizations, trades, manufactures and industrial pursuits. It is supposed that it was witnessed by not less than forty thousand persons not residents of Norristown. The expense under the circumstances was considerable, but was all met from what was realized from the admission fees to the four days' antiquarian exhibition. BARBADOES ISLAND. -The island in the Schuylkill at Norristown is mentioned in a warrant from William Penn to Ralph Fretwell, a merchant from Barbadoes, as early as August 16, 1684, as " the Long Island called Barbadoes." They were both at this time in the country, the latter having arrived in Philadelphia, according to his certificate, from Friends' Meeting there in the beginning of that year. But the grant, it appears, was subsequently withheld, and another tract assigned him, a matter common in those days, and showing that the country, at least along the great watercourses, was quite early and closely examined. It is represented with tolerable correctness on Thomas Holme's map of original surveys, having probably been entered upon it before 1695. It became attached to the Manor of Williamstadt, granted to William Penn, Jr., October 2, 1704, and a few days afterwards sold by the latter to Isaac Norris and William Trent. The former, in 1720, purchased the right of his partner, and thus it was retained in the Norris family. [See NOTE] Shortly after the decease of Charles Norris it was sold by Mary, his widow, September 17, 1771, with five hundred and forty-three acres, to John Bull, of Limerick township. The deed describes "Barbadoes Island" at this date to be four hundred perches in length and at the broadest part sixty perches wide, containing eighty-eight acres. [NOTE: Since the above has been written, additional research has disclosed the following interesting document, that now obliges the writer to make here a slight correction: "In pursuance of a Warrant from the Proprietaries, to me directed, December 17, 1733, I certify I have surveyed unto Isaac Norris, of Fair Hill, Esq., all that Great Island lying in the River Schuylkill, opposite the Manor of Williamstadt, situate in the County of Philadelphia, the said Island being in length about 400 perches, and in breadth in the broadest place about 60 perches, containing 88 acres. Returned into the Secretary's office, 8th of l2th month, 1733-34. " BENJAMIN EASTBURN, Sur.-General."] 769 During the lifetime of Charles Norris, which was previous to 1770, he erected a dam from the northern shore across to Barbadoes Island to propel his grist-mill, which has led to the origin of the waterpower secured here from the Schuylkill. The commissioners that bad been appointed under an act of Assembly passed March 14,1761, to improve the river navigation, in consequence of the decease of Mr. Norris, applied to John Bull, in 1773, requiring from him, as the owner of said mill, water-power and island, to "erect from the upper end of the aforesaid 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 as should be above the water at all times, other than in freshes, so as to direct the waters into the western channel, and also in its building would make use of the stones lying in the western channel." If this was not done the said commissioners would prostrate or remove said dam altogether, so that the channel should "forever thereafter be free and unobstructed to navigation." Colonel Bull sold his property here, October 30,1776, to Rev. William Smith, for the use of the University. After 1784, William Moore Smith, son of the aforesaid, became the owner, who sold it, with the remainder of his real estate, to John Markley, of Norristown, about 1800 or not long before. In the summer of 1804 the latter erected upon it the two-story stone house now standing, and which was very probably the first one built there. At that time the greater portion of the island was covered with forest, and in October of that year Markley advertised for hands to cut thereon one hundred and fifty cords of wood. In December 1805, it was advertised for sale, and was described as containing forty acres of standing timber. With the prosperity of Norristown and vicinity, Barbadoes was becoming more and more a place of resort. The Federal Republican Troop of Horse, commanded by Captain Joseph Price, was ordered to meet at the public-house of Elisha Evans, in Norristown, May 2, 1803, and from thence precisely at three o'clock, proceed to parade on Barbadoes Island. In the spring of 1804 handbills and advertisements were issued over the county and in Philadelphia announcing that the "Barbadoes Island Races will commence on the 8th of May, when a purse of four hundred dollars will be run for four- mile heats; the day following for three-mile heats, for a purse of two hundred dollars, and the third day, one hundred dollars for two-mile heats." According to tradition, races were continued there more or less at intervals for several years. Mr. Markley advertised the island again in November, 1809, and stated it as then containing about one hundred acres, the soil equal to any in the county, consisting of a black loam of unquestionable quality," thirty acres of woodland, two-story stone dwelling- house and other improvements. We know that he still owned it June 27, 1820, when a public meeting was held, of which Captain P. S. Markley, son of the proprietor, was chairman, the object being to have a committee purchase from John Markley the right of way across the lower end of Barbadoes Island, that the communication from Norristown with the canal on the opposite side of the river be not impeded. It was no doubt owing chiefly to the opposition of the latter that this improvement was not located along the borough, and which induced Elisha Evans by his liberal offers to exercise his influence to have it where it now is. The Schuylkill Canal and Navigation Company began its improvements in 1816, and two years later began building a dam across the river at the lower part of the island, which, by raising the water, was the means of considerably reducing its area. To avoid the expense of litigation, the company purchased, and still own it. Its length, in consequence, is now about three-quarters of a mile, or only about one-half of what it was at the time of Colonel Bull's purchase. Just below its lowermost extremity was the famous Swedes' Ford crossing place, known by this name at least as early as 1723. The dam was not, however, raised to its present height until 1830, the year that the De Kalb Street Bridge was completed which has since washed away the remaining portion of the island that had been left below it. On the 4th of July, 1825, the Norristown Guards, commanded by Captain Philip S. Markley, paraded through the streets of Norristown, after which, at twelve o'clock, they proceeded with a band of music, accompanied by a number of citizens, to Barbadoes Island, where the day was duly celebrated. This military company we know had also spent July 4, 1820, here in a similar manner. Lewis Shrack, a noted stage proprietor of Norristown, in 1824, announced to the public the "Barbadoes Island Floating Baths" in the summer of 1828, as being moored in the river Schuylkill, safely anchored in eight feet of water, and divided into five compartments, varying from six to sixteen feet, and a depth of from two to five feet, with a floor at the bottom. "The centre apartment is handsomely fitted up, where visitors can be accommodated with refreshments. Pleasure boats and fishing tackle may be had by those who wish to amuse themselves with sailing, or fishing. Within a few yards, in a beautifully retired spot, is a fountain of pure, sweet water, shaded by a thick cluster or grove of trees. Between the spring and the, river there is a fine green lawn, which adds much to the beauty of the landscape. In fine, the subscriber invites his friends and fellow-citizens to come, see and be convinced." 770 The only improvements on the island are its farm buildings, and it is not used for any other purposes. Its probable area is now about fifty acres, with very little remaining woodland. A fine view of it is presented from the western abutment of the De Kalb Street Bridge. It has been suggested that the borough of Norristown should purchase it and have it made into a public promenade and park, for which purpose it would be most excellently adapted. The advantages of a park would be to help maintain the purity of the water, and from its insular position the breezes would always prove inviting during the sultry heat of summer. The following is a list of the burgesses of Norristown from its organization to the present time. 1812, Gen. Francis Swine 1813-16, Levi Pawling 1817-18 Matthias Holstein 1819, William Henderson 1820-21, Thomas Ross 1822-23, Robert Hamill 1824, Charles Jones 1825, Levi Pawling 1826, Frederick Conrad 1827-28, George Govett 1829, Alexander Moore Jr. 1830, John Freedley 1831, Samuel D. Patterson 1832, Philip Kendell 1833-34, William Powell 1835-36, James M. Pawling 1837, John H. Hobart 1838, William Powell and Enoch C. Frye, tie vote 1839, William Powell 184l, Benjamin F. Hancock 1842, Henry Freedley 1843-44, James Boyd 1845, John Potts 1846, William Rossiter 1847, John R. Breitenbach 1848, John H. Hobart 1849, Israel Thomas 1850, Benjamin E. Chain 1851, Thomas W. Potts 1852, Joseph W. Hunsicker 1853-55, Zadok T. Galt 1856, R. T. Stewart 1857, Charles T. Miller 1858, Enoch A. Banlis 1859, Charles H. Garber 1860-61, Edward Schall 1862, Franklin March 1863, William H. Griffith 1864-65, Edward Schall 1866, William Allabaugh 1867, Daniel Jacoby 1868-69, William Allabaugh 1870-72, Henry S. Smith 1873-74, Jones A. Reiff 1875-76, George Schall 1877, William J. Bolton 1878, Irwin P. Wanger 1879, Wallace J. Boyd 1880-82, George W. Grady 1883, F. J. Baker 1884-85, John H. White. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. SELDEN T. MAY. The progenitor of the May family in America was John May, who emigrated from Mayfield, County of Sussex, England, and settled about 1640 in Roxbury, Mass. His two sons, John and Samuel, came with him, from one of whom, in the direct line of descent, was born, the 11th of March 1733, Eleazar May, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch. He married Sibyl Huntington, and had children, - John Sibyl Cynthia Anna Elizabeth, Eleazar Prudence Clarissa Huntington Hezekiah 771 Of this number, Hezekiah, born December 26, 1773, married Margaret White, a descendant of the first white child born in New England, whose children were Clara, Hannah W., Benjamin, Hezekiah H., Selden T., William W., Mary Ann and Helen S. The birth of Selden T., occurred in Brownville, Me., from whence, in early youth, he removed to the western part of Pennsylvania, and received very modest advantages of education. In 1821 he accompanied his parents to Venango County, in the same State, and there engaged in the lumber business, continuing thus occupied until 1866, when, having retired from active commercial life, he made Norristown his place of residence. Mr. May was in politics a Republican, and while manifesting an intelligent interest in all the public questions of the day, never participated in the annual political contests of the county or State nor aspired office. He, however, held the position of school director of the borough of Norristown. Mr. May married Miss Cynthia Elizabeth Selden, of Chester, Conn., whose death occurred August 11, 1880. In his religious belief Selden T. May was a Presbyterian, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Norristown. He died on the 4th of June, 1884, in his seventieth year. PICTURE OF BENJAMIN F. MAY, APPEARS HERE. DAVID Y. MOWDAY. Mr. Mowday is of English descent, and the grandson of Christian Mowday. The latter was born at the Pine Iron-Works, Douglas township, Berks Co., Pa., and having at an early age been left an orphan, was bound out until twenty-one years of age. He then began the business of teaming, which was continued, during his active life. His children were David William Elizabeth David was born at the Pine Iron-Works in 1805, and followed milling for a limited time, after which he worked at the forge. He was, in 1826, married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Christian Yergey, of Berks County, and had children Mary Ann (Mrs. John Rynard) Wilhelmina (Mrs. Israel Jones) George W. (who died in youth) John R. David Y. William Y. Sarah Ann (Mrs. Nathan Swabeley) Susan (Mrs. Daniel Eagle) David Y., of this number, was born May 13, 1834, at the Pine Iron-Works, Berks Co., where his youth, until fourteen years of age, was spent. He was then after having received very limited advantages of education, placed it work upon a farm, and remained until his seventeenth year. 772 He early manifested a desire to render himself independent by becoming master of a trade, and with that end in view, started with a very meagre supply of worldly goods for Norristown. His frank and manly hearing soon secured for him a friend and employer in Reuben C. Titlow, of Norristown, with whom he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and undertaker, serving four years as an apprentice, and afterwards as journeyman. In 1858, with small capital, but good credit and strict integrity as a business man, he began his mercantile career. He was obliged, in 1861 owing to the increase of business, to enlarge his shops and ware-rooms, and still again to extend their dimensions until his growing trade rendered necessary the erection of a block of buildings embracing twelve thousand eight hundred square feet, known as Nos. 240, 242, 244 and 246 Main Street, Norristown. Here he still continues the business, employing eleven men, eight horses, eight business wagons, one clerk and two salesmen, and giving his personal attention to every detail of this large and successful establishment. Mr. Mowday was, on the 8th of August 1858, married to Miss Eliza S., daughter of Jacob Hummel, of Norristown, their children being David T. Daniel W. Howard J. George W. Walter S. Orella E. now living, Mary Ella Franklin E. Joseph A. William H., deceased. Mr. Mowday has devoted his time and attention exclusively to his business, and had no leisure for matters of a political or public nature. He is president of an influential organization known as the Liveryman's Association of Norristown. He is a member of Curtis Lodge, No. 239, I. 0. 0. F., and also connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has been for thirty years connected by membership with the Central Presbyterian Church of Norristown, Mrs. Mowday being also a member of this church. PICTURE OF DAVID Y. MOWDAY, APPEARS HERE. DANIEL LONGAKER. Daniel Longaker is the son of Isaac and Catherine Longaker, of Lower Providence, and was born August 6, 1813. After such opportunities as were obtainable at the school nearest his home, he engaged in active labor as a mechanic, and in 1842 removed from Plymouth township to Norristown, baying two years before purchased an interest in a grocery-store in connection with Jacob T. Moore, under the style of Moore & Longaker. He, the same year, secured a lot and erected a dwelling, which was occupied as a family residence. The capital and energy which Mr. Longaker brought into the business soon made itself 773 In 1847, Mr. Moore retired, having sold his interest to Jacob Childs, the firm becoming Longaker & Childs. The senior partner at this time turned his attention to real estate operations and erected several buildings, which have since been intimately associated with the business interests of the borough. Still another change was effected by the retirement of Mr. Childs, when the firm was known as Daniel Longaker & Co., his son George being admitted as a partner in 1860. After a career of uninterrupted prosperity, covering a period of thirty-three years, Mr. Longaker retired from active business, devoting his attention to his various investments. He was largely interested, and a director, in the Norristown Gas Company, the Norristown Water Company, the Montgomery Cemetery, the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad Company, the Montgomery National Bank, the Norristown Bridge Company, etc. He was never actively identified with the politics of the county, and did not confine his vote strictly within party lines, voting independently and with special reference to the fitness of candidates. He was in his religious views a Lutheran and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norristown, filling the office of trustee at the time of his death, which occurred August 7, 1880. Mr. Longaker possessed no advantages at the beginning of his career either of capital or education, and may be regarded as a remarkable example of what industry, energy, frugality and sagacity may accomplish when employed in a single direction. Daniel Longaker was, in 1834, married to Elizabeth, daughter of George Boyer, of Norriton. Their children are George W. Kate (deceased) Anne E. Bertha (Mrs. D. W. Moore) Ella (Mrs. L. K. Evans) Sally Lizzie (Mrs. Howard) Harry Clara Bell Mary (deceased) Daniel (deceased). PICTURE OF DANIEL LONGAKER, APPEARS HERE. WILLIAM STAHLER. Elias Stahler, the father of William Stahler, was born in Lower Milford Township, Lehigh Co., where he resided during his lifetime, and was actively interested in the cultivation of his farm. He married Catharine Broug, and had one son, William, and a daughter, Sarah, who became Mrs. Jonas Huber. William was born February 5, 1826, in Lower Milford, and at the age of thirteen, having been deprived of a father's care, became a member of the family of an uncle in Philadelphia. He received a plain English education in the latter city and became a clerk in the drug-store of Jenks & Ogden in 1845, and remained until 1854, meanwhile becoming proficient in chemistry and the various branches of the business. He then removed to Norristown and embarked in the drug business in connection with Amos W. Bertolet, with whom he continued for a period of eighteen months, when Philadelphia again became his home. Circumstances influenced his return to Norristown in 1856, when he became sole owner of the store in which he was formerly interested, and has since that date had been its proprietor. 774 Mr. Stahler was, on the 3d June 1856, married to Miss Savilla Eshbach, daughter of Abram Eshback. Their children are Eugene A., a druggist in Bridgeport; William E., a Lutheran clergyman at Mount Jackson, Shenandoah Co., Va.; Harry L., associated with his father in business. Mr. Stabler is one of the representative business men of Norristown and foremost in promoting its prosperity. PICTURE OF WILLIAM STAHLER, APPEARS HERE. He is a director of the Montgomery National Bank, as also of the Norristown Insurance Trust and Safe Deposit Company. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been for many years a member of the Council of the borough of Norristown. He was also made a presidential elector in 1884. He is an active member of the Masonic order and connected with Charity Lodge, No. 90, and with Norristown Chapter, No. 190, and with Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, all of Norristown. He is a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran in which he has been for twenty years a deacon and for ten years treasurer. SAMUEL YEAKLE. The subject of this biographical sketch is the grandson of Christopher Yeakle, the pioneer and progenitor of the family in America, and his wife Maria, daughter of Balthasar and Susanna Schultz, The children (six in number) of this worthy couple were Susanna (Mrs. Abram Heydrick) Maria (Mrs. George Dresher) Regina (Mrs. Abram Schultz) Abraham Anna Christopher. The last-named and youngest was born October 7, 1757, and married Susannah Kriebel, daughter of Rev. George Kriebel, on the 4th of June, 1782. Their children were Lydia, born in 1783 Agnes, in 1785 Daniel, in 1786 Anna, in 1789 Sarah, in 1791 George, in 1793 Rebecca, in 1795 Samuel in 1798. Mr. Yeakle resided on the place inherited from his father, which is the present site of the Pennsylvania Railroad depot at Chestnut Hill, where his death occurred July 10, 1843 and that of his wife April 24, 1830. Their son Samuel was born August 25, 1798, at Chestnut Hill, in Philadelphia County, where his, youth, until twenty-four years of age, was spent He was early taught the value Of industry and with the exception of the winter months 775 devoted his youth to the various pursuits of a farmer. In November 1823, he married Lydia daughter of Abraham Anders, and had children, - William A., born in 1824 Charles A., in 1826 Abraham A., in 1830. PICTURE OF SAMUEL YEAKLE, APPEARS HERE. His wife having died on the 26th of December 1846, he married a second time, on the 19th of November 1850, Susanna, daughter of Samuel Dresher. In the spring of 1824, Mr. Yeakle removed to Whitemarsh township, and engaged in farming employments, which were continued until 1853, when Norristown became his residence. Mr. Yeakle was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican in politics. He has been school-director of Whitemarsh, and was twice elected to the Borough Council of Norristown. He is in religion a member of the society of Schwenkfelders, and worships with them when not prevented by the infirmities of age. MOSES AUGE. Moses Auge is the second son and fifth child of Bennett and Ann Auge. He was born at Centreville, New Castle Co., Del., November 11, 1811, and removed soon after to Pennsburg, Chester Co., near by. His ancestry are briefly recorded as follows: His father was the son of Daniel Auge, a wine and shipping merchant of Bordeaux, west of France, but of Dutch or Belgian extraction. When a boy of twelve years Bennett, with an elder brother, Nicholas (1790), came, to Cape Francois, Hayti, the former to serve as a clerk on a sugar plantation, and while so employed (in 1791) at the age of thirteen, he barely escaped assassination during the famous insurrection of the slaves. After lying hid, however, two days and nights among the sugar-cane, he was rescued, taken into the city and placed in the white and mulatto, army of defense, and after a time transferred to the city of Port au Prince, where, after serving two or three years longer in the army, he, with other white inhabitants, fled the island, and with his brother came to Philadelphia about 1797 or 1798, and soon after the former was placed at school in Wilmington, Del. After leaving school he engaged a short time in business in that town, and soon after (1801) was married to Ann, eldest daughter of Moses and Mary (James) Mendenhall, of Pennsburg, Chester Co., who lived a mile west of the battle-ground of "Brandywine". The Mendenhall family were Friends, and came to Pennsylvania about 1685 from Wiltshire, England, the progenitor settling at Concord, Chester (now Delaware) Co., Pa. 776 The subject of this sketch is of the seventh generation from this original settler, Benjamin Mendenhall. He received a very limited education in primary branches, such as country schools imparted seventy years ago, only supplemented by a few months' instruction at West Chester Academy, under Jonathan Gause and Barbara Fuller. In 1827, when sixteen, be apprenticed himself to his brother, then in the hatting business at West Chester, to learn that trade, and, after working for him, boy and journeyman, ten years, came to Norristown (1837) to conduct a hat-store for his brother. The next year he entered a partnership, under the firm-name of M. & S. Auge, which existed five years, after which he continued it alone, and afterwards, for some time, in connection with Florence Sullivan, and, finally, alone until 1877, when he retired from mercantile business altogether, having managed one concern and lived in the same adjoining dwelling about fifty years. PICTURE OF MOSES AUGE, APPEARS HERE. In March 1839, he connected himself with the First Presbyterian Church, Norristown, and in the spring of 1842 married Mary, second daughter of Thomas and Hannah Cowden, of Plymouth township. They have had four children, one son and three daughters, the first and one of the latter deceased. The public service of Mr. Auge consists of the following: in 1857, in addition to his other business, be assumed the editorial management of the "Olive Branch," a newspaper formerly conducted by Franklin P. Sellers, Dr. Joseph Moyer and Lewis H. Gause, which changed its name to the "Norristown Republican," advocating temperance and "Republicanism," the latter then a very unpopular party name, and this publication continued until August, 1862. Mr. Auge served his country with the emergency men of 1863, carrying the musket as a private soldier. In 1871 he started a small weekly sheet to advocate temperance and other moral reforms, publishing it also while continuing his hat and clothing business until November, 1874. In 1877-78 he collected materials and prepared his volume, -"Lives of the Eminent Dead and Biographical Notices of Prominent Living Citizens of Montgomery County." He also published a pamphlet of essays on reform subjects, covering sixty-four octavo pages. His moral and mental make-up, consisting of positive and unyielding qualities, place him out of the range of "available" men for public place. He has never sought or obtained any political preferment or the emoluments of public office. Mr. Auge is an apt writer, aggressive and critical in all reformatory measures. A plain, truthful and eccentric man, he lives in the enjoyment of his own convictions, sound in mind and body at the age of three-score years and ten, and in the expectancy of "post-mortem" fame and rewards.