History: Local: CHAPTER LV: Frederick Township : 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. บบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบ BEAN'S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA บบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบบ 831 CHAPTER LV. FREDERICK TOWNSHIP. By Henry S. Dotteror. FREDERICK TOWNSHIP is bounded on the northwest by New Hanover and Upper Hanover townships; on the east by Perkiomen Creek, flowing from north to south, separating it from Marlborough and Upper Salford Townships; on the southeast by Perkiomen township; and on the southwest by Limerick and New Hanover townships. It contains an area of thirteen thousand four hundred and forty acres, is about five miles wide on the northwest border, four and three quarters miles long on the southwest, and one and one-half miles wide on the southeast. Its centre is fifteen miles distance northwest from. Norristown, the county-seat, and thirty-two miles from Philadelphia. Throughout the township strong spring issue from the slopes and in the valleys, and are the sources of an umber of streams which flow through and enrich the land. Deep Creek falls into the Perkiomen in the north, and Swamp Creek from the north-west and Mine Run from the south enter it in the south. The tributaries of Swamp Creek are Old Goshenhoppen Run and Society Run. The surface of the township is decidedly rolling, verging to a hilly character; but it is well adapted to farming in all parts except in the north, where the Deep Creek hills attain considerable eminence, and in the southwest, between Swamp Creek and Mine Run, where rise the bold and rocky Stone Hills. The soil in the western portion, embracing the broad and fertile valley between Swamp Creek and Society Run, is red shale, easy of cultivation and free from stones; on the plateau between Society Run and Old Goshenhoppen Run, including the eastern slope of the last named stream, being the central part of the township, it is a white clay; and the eastern section, inclining towards Perkiomen Creek, is a yellow, sandy soil, somewhat encumbered with bowlders. All the tillable sections have been brought by the untiring industry and thorough husbandry of the inhabitants to a high state of cultivation and productiveness. Perkiomen, Swamp and Deep Creeks possess remarkably interesting and picturesque features. At their junctions the scenery is notably striking and rugged. The swift flowing waters of these streams, dashing over and between smooth worn stones and falling over the numerous dams, which check their free course, furnish beautiful views, worthy of the artist's pencil. In the past they abounded in fish, and they are yet frequented by lovers of fishing from near and far. The primitive forest has almost entirely disappeared. On the high grounds of the township grow oak, hickory, ash, walnut, chestnut, butternut, maple, gum, tulip-poplar, hemlock, pine and spruce, besides the smaller growths, sassafras, dogwood, wild cherry, persimmon, spice-woods, juniper, sumac, elder and hazel, and the blackberry, whole-berry, raspberry, sheep-berry and strawberry. In wet places the mottled-grinded button-wood or water beach may be found, towering to a great height. Along Swamp Creek grows a species of hickory bearing nuts of extraordinary size and of hard, thick shell. On Deep Creek and its affluents spruce and other evergreens grow to the exclusion almost of other trees. The land here is inclosed and devoted to grazing young cattle, which are driven into the pasture called in the Pennsylvania German, Baschtert -in the spring-time and left without further attention until fall. The villages in the township, none of which are incorporated, are Zieglerville, Frederick, part of Perkiomenville, Klein's or Frederick Station, Obelisk and Delphi or Zieglerville Station. Zieglerville, in the southern portion, is located on the Perkiomen and Sumneytown Turnpike, at the point where the Great road diverges from it to the west, while the turnpike continues towards the north. It was, before the building of the railroad, an important meeting point for stage lines. Here the passengers from Pennsburg and Boyertown met three times each week, and were transferred from small, antiquated coaches to the commodious and stylish omnibuses drawn by four or five horses; and here on the alternate days the returning passengers were again separated and sent their different ways. The inn, located on high ground in the forks of the road, and facing to the south, was an old time house of genuine entertainment to the traveler and drover; it was of breadth disproportioned to its two-story height, and a welcoming piazza extended before its entire front. A modern building of brick has taken the old tavern's place. At present the village contains one general store, a post-office, two blacksmith-shops, one wheelwright-shop, one tinsmithery, one tannery, one school-house, two clothing-manfactories, one shoe-making, one tavern, one saw-mill, one flour-mill, forty-four dwelling-houses and about two hundred inhabitants. A lodge of the Knights of Pythias meets here. A German weekly newspaper the "Wahrheits Freund," was published here in 1858. 832 Frederick village, on the Great road, near the northwestern line of the township, is about half a mile long. It contains a post-office, one general store, one creamery, One blacksmith-shop, one, tannery, thirteen dwelling-houses and about sixty inhabitants. The Green Tree tavern is located at its lower end. The village of Perkiomenville is located in the northeast, on both sides of Perkiomen Creek, which is here spanned by a fine stone bridge. The larger part of the population is in Marlborough township. It consists, in Frederick, of a post-office, one general store, one tavern, an Odd-Fellows' Hall, a creamery, wheelwrightshop, eight houses and about sixty inhabitants. A lodge of the order of Odd-Fellows meets here. This vicinity is a favorite resort for camping, fishing and hunting-parties, and during the heat of summer the hotel here, kept by Isaac Rahn, is patronized by city residents, who come out to enjoy the bathing in Perkiomen Creel, and the natural attractions of the locality. Frederick Station, on the Perkiomen Railroad, is a compactly built village of about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. It contains a post-office (Klein's), a hotel, general store a lumber and coal yard one feed store clothing-manufactory planing mill blacksmith shop one. segar factory two grist mills one saw mill twenty-one dwelling-houses. Christian Allebach has lately fitted up a large hall for the purpose of holding religious services in this place. Obelisk, in the central portion, on the Great road, derives its name from the post-office established here. In it are contained Keeler's church one general store one tinsmithery one school-house one clothing-factory, twelve dwelling-houses and sixty-five inhabitants. Delphi is the name of the post-office at Zieglerville Station, on the Perkiomen Railroad. The village is on the Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike. It is located at the romantic point where Swamp Creek flows into the Perkiomen, at the foot of the rugged Stone Hills. The natural attractions here have made this a place of summer resort. A fine four-story hotel -the Weldon House- has been built for the accommodation of visitors. The village has one feed-store coal and lime yard haypress a saw, grist and oil-mill one tannery one brick-yard seven dwellings and about fifty inhabitants. The Perkiomen Railroad skirts the southeastern border of the township, following the course of Perkiomen Creek, a distance of about one and a half miles. Two of its stations -Zieger Station and Frederick Station -are in the limits of the township. The Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road was completed in the year 1847, and extends through the township from Schwenksville via Zieglerville to Perkiomenville, a distance of somewhat more than four miles. The company was incorporated February 14, 1845, by act of the State Legislature. At the first election of officers, held at Perkiomen Bridge, March 14 1846, the following were elected President, Henry Longaker Managers William Schall Jacob Snyder George Poley Jacob Johnson, Jr Abel Kerr Henry Ziegler Aaron Schwenk William Worral Abraham Hunsicker David Beard Joseph Hunsicker Abraham Steiner Secretary and Treasurer, John Steiner. John H. Steiner was secretary and treasurer from 1852 to 1862 Daniel D. Hunsicker, from 1862 to 1866 Abraham G. Schwenk, in 1867 George W. Steiner, 1867 to the present date. The capital stock is eighteen thousand and fifty dollars. This sum was not sufficient to build the road, and a debt burdened the company until about 1875, when the last of it was paid. The company declared its first dividend in 1876, and has paid dividends annually since that time. The road extends from Perkiomen Bridge to Green Lane, a distance of twelve miles. The present officers are President, Abraham G. Schwenk Secretary and Treasurer, George W. Steiner Managers Michael Alderfer Henry Snyder Gideon Fetterolf Thomas B. Hillegass John B. Landis Jesse Cressman Mark Hiltebeitel A. H. Seipt Jacob G. Schwenk William A. Welker Evans P. Koons J. A. Strassburger. The headquarters of the company are at Zieglerville, where the elections are held. ERECTION OF THE TOWNSHIP. Up to 1731 the territory now comprised in Frederick was without an official name and without a local government. It was known as Falkner Swamp, in common, with the remainder of the extensive region drained by Swamp Creek and its tributaries. With the influx of settlers the necessity of civil authority became manifest. The following petition was made as a remedy for this want: "To the Worshipfull the Justices at the Quarter Sessions held at Philadelphia, for the County of Phila., the first day of March, 1731. "The Petition of the Inhabitants living Between Limerick township and Perkiomy "Humbly sheweth. "That there Setteled a great many families on the North East side Limerick township, between the same & Bebber's township & Salford, are bounded on the northwesterly side with New Hanover township. The Tract of land on which your Petitioner's & many more are settled is Suppose to be about Seven miles long & five miles broad. "Now forasmuch as your Petitioners' case is such that they think it is too great a Circuit for a Constable out of any of the aforesaid township & also unconvenient in making and Repairing of highways, And your Petitioners living on the sd Tract of Land are humbly of opinion that it would be more Convenient for them that the same Tract of Land was laid out for a Township, "Therefore your Petitioners, both for the publick good & their own Conveniency, Earnestly Desire that you will be pleased to take the premises our Serious Consideration, and order a Township to be laid out & established Between the foresd Townships according as you shall think ht, And your petitioners shall thankfully acknowledge your favour, in the premises, and be obliged Ever to pray, as in the duty bound. "Georg Philib Dodderer Gotlieb Herger. William Frey Johann Ludwich Dederer. Andrew Frey Thomas Addis Han Ludwig Engelhart Hanns Michell Doderer Balthas Fauth Reurich Stetler Jacob Fauth Joseph Groff Friederich Reimmer Hans Crauss Michael Horricher." 833 Appended to the petition was a draft of the township. The court granted the prayer, and made the following indorsement thereon: "The Petition hereunto annexed being taken into Consideration by the Court, the Prayer of the sd Petition is Granted, and the Township is now named Frederick Township." This simple record does not answer the question sometimes asked: After whom was the township named? The name was probably selected because it had been borne by the German emperors in the Middle Ages, and because the petitioners were, with perhaps one exception, of Teutonic stock. EARLY PURCHASERS. -The circumstances connected with the taking up of the large tract of twenty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres by the Frankfort Land Company, a large portion of which lies along the northwestern border of Frederick township, naturally brought that territory into special prominence. The powerful influences put to work by the German company, seconded most heartily by the proprietary, drew settlers, immigrants from Germany, speedily to that vast property; at first, to the banks of Schuylkill, at and about the mouth of Manatawny Creek, and soon after, in much larger measure, to the broad valley of Swamp Creek. The lower or southwestern part of this alluvial plain lies in Frederick township. As soon as the impetus given by the organized effort in Germany had somewhat spent its force, the immigrant now and then chose for himself' !and along the banks of the lower Swamp Creek and of Society and Old Goshenhoppen Runs. Here, beside the clear springs and sparkling stream, close to the green meadows, he dug a cave in the sloping banks or built a rude hut for a dwelling-place. Before the arrival of the actual settler, however, the choicest portions of land had passed from the proprietary into the hands of purchasers and speculators of England and Philadelphia, from whom the pioneers made purchases. By patent dated the 8th of Fourth Month, 1703, there, as granted to Nathanial Puckle a tract of four hundred and fifty acres, extending from, the northeastern end of Limerick into the Stone Hills. By virtue of a warrant dated the 21st of Tenth Mouth (December), 1716, there was laid out to James Shattick five hundred acres, part of a great tract which William Penn granted to Richard Pearce on May 4, 1682. David Powell, who, on the 8th of Eighth Month (October), 1683, was appointed deputy surveyor by Thomas Holme, the surveyor-general, had surveyed to him, as "part of three thousand acres of land back in the said province (Pennsylvania), near or on the Branches of Perkeawming," under warrant dated September 10, 1717, two tracts of two hundred acres each, and on December 7, 1717, a tract of one hundred and fifty acres. Before March 25, 1720, John Henry Hagerman purchased of David Powell two hundred Acres of the four hundred acres surveyed to the latter September 10, 1717; this was confirmed to him by the proprietors May 23, 1728. Henry Antes purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of this tract in 1735, at which date Hagerman was a resident of Lancaster County. March 25, 1720, James Steel, of the city of Philadelphia, purchased five hundred acres, near a "Branch of Parkeawning," from William Clayton, of Chichester, to whom it had been surveyed under a warrant dated April 14, 1718, "in full satisfaction of a demand by ye said William Clayton against the Proprietary in or about the year one thousand seven hundred, for part of the land granted by ye said Proprietary to the Swansons in lieu of the ground whereon the city of Philadelphia is built." On the 17th of December, 1728, the commissioners of property confirmed this sale. October 26,1720, Hans Neues bought of John Budd and Humphrey Morrey seven hundred and twenty-five acres (part of the five thousand acres granted by William Penn, on the 12th of October, 1681, to William Bacon), of which five hundred acres were surveyed and located on the 1st day of November, 1720, in Frederick township, on both sides of Society Run, and facing the Frankfort Land Company's tract. September 1, 1727, the proprietaries granted by patent to Henry Pannebacker, of Bebber's township, six hundred and twenty-two acres, located at and about the junction of Swamp Creek and Society Run. PIONEER SETTLERS. -John Michael Herger, weaver, on the 7th of February, 1717, purchased of James Shattick five hundred acres. On the first of March, 1726, he sold to his son, Gottlieb Herger, eighty acres; and on the. same date, to John George Sprogell, one hundred and twenty acres. Previous to this date he had made sales to Martin Funk and Joseph Groff. Michael Herger was naturalized by act of Assembly May 19, 1739. He moved to Conewago, where he died in 1740. His wife's name was Anna Margaret. Gottlieb Herger was a resident of Frederick Township as late as 1755, or later. John Herger, a resident of Frederick township, was born in America on the 6th of May, 1721; married Maria Salome, daughter of Frederick Reimer; died December 5, 1795, and is buried as is also his wife, in Leidig's private cemetery. 834 Andrew Frey, mason, on August 5, 1718, purchased two hundred acres of David Powell. Henry Grubb, on the 27th of September, 1718, bought one hundred and fifty acres, of David Powell. This land was located on the banks of Society Run, below the five hundred acres bought by Hans Neues in 1720. He died in February 1726, leaving, his real and personal estate to his wife, Catharine. On the 22d of March, 1737-38, the widow, who had in the meantime married Jacob Frick, conveyed to her oldest son, Henry Grubb, the plantation formerly of the deceased, which, by a resurvey, was found to contain but one hundred and forty-nine acres. On November 11, 1734, there was surveyed to Henry Grubb, Jr., a tract of sixty-two and one half acres adjoining the plantation lately owned by his father. On the 26th of April 1743, Henry Grubb, Jr., and Anna Maria, his wife, conveyed to Conrad Grubb one half of each of the aforementioned two tracts. Conrad Grubb and Henry Grubb were naturalized at the April term of court in 1743. Susanna, born November 30, 1752; Henry, born March 26, 1755; and Jacob, born July 16, 1757, were children of Henry Grubb, Jr., and Anna Maria his wife. In the private burying-ground of the family, beside Society Run, are the stones marking the graves of Conrad Grob, who was born February 9, 1715, and who died March 20, 1798; and of his wife, Anna Maria Grob, who was born in 1714, and who died in 1778. John George Schietz was one of the appraisers of the estate of Henry Grubb (deceased) early in 1726. He owned land on the banks of Society Run previous to this date. George Philip Dodderer, of Falkner's Swamp, carpenter, bought of Hans Neues, of the Northern Liberties, on December 22, 1722, one hundred acres, and on February 2, 1725, fifty acres, the two tracts adjoining and being located on the banks of Society Run. On the 29th of May 1734, he bought from the proprietaries one hundred acres additional and adjoining his previous ownings. He made a will on the 19th of October, 1741, and he died on the 6th day of the following month. His wife, Veronica, survived him until 1752. Their children were Michael Bernhard, who settled in New Hanover township Anna Elizabeth, who married (first)Michael Zimmerman and (second) Jacob Koerr Hieronimus Barbara, who married Jacob Markley, of Skippack Conrad. Hieronimus, son of George Philip Dodderer, died in November 1727. He left a widow, Catharine, who shortly afterwards married Michael Krause, and two daughters,- first Veronica, born January 7,1725, married Philip Yost, died December 7, 1798; second, Agnes, born February 14, 1727, married Jost Bitting, died November 2, 1785. Conrad, youngest son of George Philip Dodderer, was born in 1712, and died in January, 1801. He succeeded to his father's estate and lived upon it all his life. His wife, Magdalena, to whom he was married in January 1732, died August 21, 1797. Their children were Christian, Jacob, and Conrad (who, it appears from the best information at hand, married Margaret Pannebacker, daughter of Peter Pannebacker, of Skippack, and migrated to Frederick County, Md., and there founded an influential family) John (a citizen of Frederick township for many years, who was born November 26 1751, and who died February 1, 1835). Abraham Catharine Christina Susanna Elizabeth Magdalena (who married, February 23, 1786, Peter (Esterlein, of New Hanover township). George Philip Dodderer and his sons were naturalized by act of Assembly passed May 18, 1739. John Nyce, on the 21st of September 1724, bought of his father, Hans Neues, of the Northern Liberties, two hundred acres on the West Bank of Society Run, and fronting on the German tract. He made a will on the 5th of February, 1738-39, which was probated on the 22d of June, 1743, in which he appointed as his executors his wife, Mary, and Henry Antes. His plantation consisted of two hundred and ninety acres, and his entire estate, real and personal, was appraised at ฃ913 6s., Pennsylvania currency. The children of John and Mary Nyce were John Joel Zacharias, born December 25, 1735 William George Susanna, who married Peter Fedelee Mary, who married, March 29,1748, John Ringer John Nyce, Jr., about the year 1747, married Catharina Hahn, and settled at Indian Creek; their children were Elizabeth Philip John Abraham; he died about the year 1756. Zacharias Nyce married, in 1756, Margaret Hahn ; their children; were Maria, born December 13, 1758 Catharine, born April 20, 1760 Susanna, born March 9, 1762 Elizabeth, born February 15, 1764 Johannes born June 3, 1767 Margaret, born November 30, 1777. They lived in Frederick township; he died at the age of fifty-six years and four days; his wife was buried September 7, 1798. George Nyce, who succeeded to his father's estate, was a tanner in Frederick Township. He married (first) Anna Dotterer, daughter of Berhard and Gertrude Dodderer, of New Hanover township; their children were John, Maria and Joseph. He married (second) ____ Fuhrman; their children were George (born February 15, 1760) Jacob Nancy Mary Elizabeth Catharine He died December 5, 1789, aged sixty-four years. The name of this family is variously spelled, Nice, Nyce and De Nice. George S. Nyce resides upon a portion of the original homestead. Michael Dotterer, of Falkner Swamp, son of George Philip Dodderer, on the 24th of January, 1726, bought of Hans Neues, of the Northern Liberties, one hundred and fifty acres on the east bank of Society Run, and facing the German tract, and on the 8th of November, 1734, the proprietaries granted him, by patent, fifty acres adjoining the foregoing. His wife was Anna Maria Fisher, daughter of Jacob and Sophia Fisher, an early settler of New Goshenhoppen, in Hanover Township. Their children were Anna Sophia, born, March 5, 1726 Anna Veronica, born September 5, 1727 George Philip, born August 30 1729 John Conrad, born May 10, 1731 Maria Margaret, born June 27, 1733 Michael, born October 31, 1735 Jacob born July 4, 1737 a son, born January 22, 1739 twins, born November 18, 1741, who died in infancy Anna Maria, born January 4, 1745. 835 George Michael Kuntz arrived at Philadelphia on the 24th of September 1727. He made in entry of the circumstance in his Bible (which is still in the possession of his descendants in Frederick township), in these words "Der 24sten September im Jahr 1727 in ich George Michael Kuntz gesund in America in der Stadt Philadelphia ankommen". He settled on lands along Swamp Creek, and married Eve Engelhart, sister to Ludwig Engelhart, on the 1st day of April, 1732. Their children were Mary, born November 12, 1734, who married John Stetler Maria Catherine, born May 14, 1738, who married John Reimer Susan, born October 24, 1740, who married Ludwig Remier George Michael, born July 7, 1742 Frederick, born July 6, 1744 John, born June 26, 1747 Catharine, born February 9, 1750, who married first, Michael Krebs, and, second, John Richards Elizabeth, born January 12, 1754, who married Jacob Zieber George Michael Kuntz died August 10, 1759; Eve his widow died June 27, 1772. John Ludwig Dederer arrived in the ship "Molly" from Rotterdam and signed the declaration on September 30, 1727. He settled in Frederick Township. In the book of New Hanover Lutheran Church is recorded the confirmation of three of his children on the 8th of April, 1750 viz: Zacharias, aged eighteen Maria Barbara, fifteen Anna-Maria, fourteen. Balthas Fauth was an early comer. In January, 1728 he was one of the bondsmen on the bond given by Catherine Krauss, administratix and widow of Hieronimus Doderer, deceased. Jacob Fauth on the 25th of February, 1728 bought fifty acres of Henry Pannebacker part of his tract of six hundred and twenty-two acres and on October 9, 1728, fifty acres of Humphrey Morrey and John Budd. Joseph Groff, "of Parkeyoming weaver" on the 25th of February, 1728 purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of Henry Pannebacker part of the latter's tract of six hundred and twenty-two acres. Previous to March 1, 1726, Joseph Groff had acquired a portion of the five hundred acres purchased by Michael Herger on February 7, 1717. April 20, 1734 Joseph Groff obtained by patent two hundred acres on the west side of Perkiomen Creek, upon which he erected a grist-mill for a petition was made on July 7, 1737, for a road from "a grist-mill lately erected by one Joseph Groff at ye upper end of sd township of ffredick." May 1, 1728 Ludwig Engelhart obtained from Andrew Frey one moiety or half part of two hundred acres. On May 25 the same year the commissioners of property confirmed the title. At the Supreme Court held in April, 1743, Engelhart was naturalized. He moved afterwards to Germantown where he died in 1783. Michael Krauss on the 9th of October, 1728, bought of Humphrey Morrey and John Budd one hundred and seventy acres on the banks of Swamp Creek. His wife was Catharina, widow of Hieronimus Doderer. Their children were George Mary, married Peter Smith Elizabeth Salome, married Michael Renn Catharine, married Jacob Beltz Daniel Michael. Henry Stetler was granted on December 20, 1728, by patent of the proprietaries fifty acre of land. On June 7, 1729, he purchased of James Steel one hundred and nine acres and on July 30, 1735, from the same party one hundred and thirty-two acres. He was naturalized at the September court, 1740. Henry Stetler was twice married. The name of his Second wife was Anna Mary Mayer, widow. His children were Anna-Maria, married Joseph Kolb Magdalena, married George Kolb Barbara, married Peter Binkes John, died December 30, 1812 Jacob Henry, born in 1732, died May 9, 1780 Christian. born February 3, 1741. and died December 5, 1813 Abraham Samuel Susanna Sophia. Henry Stetler died on the 16th of September, 1763, aged fifty-seven. He owned a plantation in New Hanover township which in his will he ordered to be sold, and his plantation in Frederick township, upon which he lived in his lifetime, he gave to his sons, Jacob and Christian subject to the payment of certain legacies. Henry Stetler, the son, was a potter, as the following codicil to his fathers will shows: "I give to my son, Henry Stetler, one-quarter of an acre of land that is to say it is the place where he fetches the potters clay ever since he followed the potters trade for his own; he is to have two perches broad and ten perches long, to begin at the clay-pit, or corner-posts, which I do set, and so forwards ten perches along the clay ground; and that he in to have during his life, not longer; after his death it is and shall fall back to the other land Which I give to my sons Jacob and Christian, or to any one that dwells upon the land lawfully and agreeable to my testament; and my son Henry is to fill up the clay holes after he digged the clay, fit for the meadow, to mow or to be mowed." Henry Stetler, Jr. left no male children. Christian Stetler son of the elder Henry, was born February 3, 1741; married March 4, 1765, Catharine Kurtz; died December 5, 1813. He was the progenitor of the Stetlers now residing in Frederick ownership. His wife died November 3, 1826. Their children were Hannah, born in January 1769 Henry, born August 9, 1771 Philip, born November 22, 1773 Abraham, born June 11, 1780 Adam, born October 9, 1787. 836 May 22, 1729, "William Frey, of Parkeawming, yeoman" bought of James Steel two hundred acres part of the latter's purchase of December 17, 1728, located in the western portion of the township. Bertolet's Mennonite meeting-house stands upon this tract. He was the son of Henry Frey and Anna Catharine Levering, who were married on the 26th of April, 1692, at Germantown before Francis Daniel Pastorius, justice of the peace. It is stated that Henry Frey came to Pennsylvania before the arrival of Penn. William Frey married Veronica Markley. Their children were Henry, married January 25, 1756, Anna Maria Buerstler William Catharine, married John Gesel Magdalena, married October 16, 1745, Christopher Baus Veronica, married Joseph Miller Jacob, born January 1, 1726 Christina, married February 16, 1748, Johann Heinrich Seegner Matthias Salome, married Christopher Hensel Elizabeth. April 5, 1768, William Frey conveyed to his son Jacob Frey one hundred and fifty-seven and one-quarter acres and about the same time to Zacharias Nyce the remainder of about forty-three acres. He died in the summer of 1768. He took part in the religious movement which grew into the Moravian Church and his sons and daughters took positions of usefulness in the educational and mission work of that society. He is buried beside his wife at Bertolet's Mennonite meeting-house. Many years after his death, when the correct date of this occurrence had been forgotten the plain dwellers of the country side, void of sentiment, yet sensible of the respect due an even, upright walk, placed a stone to mark his grave bearing the epitaph, couched in the dialect spoken there,-- "Zum Andenken en WILHELM FREY Der erste ansitler von diesem landgud er starb 1770 seyn alter ist uns unbekand doch war er hoch beijahrt." Veronica Frey, who afterwards was the wife of Joseph Miller, sailed from New York on the 9th of January, 1743, for England in the ship "Jacob," which carried a Moravian company and she afterwards, with her husband, was stationed at the Brethren's institution in Germany. Jacob, son of William Frey, was a carpenter. On December 17, 1749, Jacob Frey was one of twenty-two single brethren, who left Bethlehem for Christian's Springs, in Northampton County. He married Susanna Sophia Bertolet, daughter of Jean Bertolet, a Huguenot refugee, who came to Pennsylvania in 1726, and settled in 0ley. Their children were: Esther, first wife of Samuel Bertolet Elizabeth, married January 26, 1790, Samuel Bertolet (his second wife) Magdalena, married, November 5, 1792, Johannes Schlichter. Henry Antes, an influential settler, came to the township early in 1730. His career is sketched elsewhere. Frederick Reimer came from the Palatinate. He arrived in the ship "Thistle," and the declaration at Philadelphia on the 29th of August, 1730. On the 22d January, 1731, he purchased of Henry Pannybacker one hundred acres, and on the 6th of August, 1736, of Joseph Groff, forty-one acres, one hundred and six and a half perches, both tracts on Society Run. On the 29th of March, 1735, he was naturalized by act of Assembly. He died early in 1758. His wife's name was Elizabeth. Their children were Elizabeth Salome, born April 15, 1719, in the Palatinate, married John Herger and died November 24, 1800 Susanna Barbara John Peter, married, November 28, 1752, Rachel Zieber Johannes, married, January 23, 1760, Maria Catharina Kuntz Ludwig, married, September 11, 1763, Susanna Kuntz Anna Margaret Catharina Elizabeth, married, Solomon Grimley. Andrew Bayer arrived in the ship "Philadelphia Merchant" and signed the declaration September 11, 1731. He came from Gruenstadt, in the Palatinate. He was naturalized on the 11th of April, 1749. He lived on the Perkiomen, near the present Zieglerville. Thomas Addis, farmer, of Frederick township, died early in 1732. By his will, made January 2, 1731-32, and probated on the 14th of March of the same year, he bequeathed five pounds to "Saint James' Church, between Scheepack and Perchoorman, on Manathana road side." He left a widow, Catharine, six married daughters the eldest of whom, Catharine, was the wife of Henry Grubb, and one daughter, Elizabeth, under eighteen and unmarried. John Miller, husbandman, on the 10th of August, 1732, bought of Humphrey Morrey and John Budd one hundred and twenty-five acres between Swamp Creek and Society Run at the confluence of these streams. He was a practitioner of medicine. He was married, in 1732, to Elizabeth Frey, born in 1717, and a daughter of Henry and Anna Catharine Frey, maiden name, Levering. Their children were Catharine, born November 8, 1733, married Henry Happel Salome, born September 7, 1735, married Daniel Knauss Elizabeth, born January 24, 1737, married Jacob Eckel John, born February 7, 1738 Anna, born November 2, 1739, married John Marburger Joseph, born November 2, 1740 Henry, born May 8, 1742 Anna Maria, born in November, 1744 ______, died in infancy Magdalena, born November 12, 1747 Jacob, born November 17, 1749 John Philip, born November, 1751 Christian. Dr. Miller died September 16, 1755; his widow died in 1758. George Trumbauer, by virtue of a warrant dated 6th of October, 1714, had surveyed to him on the 6th of November, 1734, a tract of one hundred acres bounded by lands of George Philip Dodderer, George Haan and Gottlieb Herger. Old Cowissioppin Creek (Old Goshenhoppen) ran through it from the northwest to the southeast. Balthasar Heydrick came in 1734; he is one of the colony of Schwenkfelder refugees who came in the ship "St. Andrew," and arrived at Philadelphia on the 11th of September, 1734, O.S. and signed the declaration on the next day. On the 26th of June, 1735, he bought of John Jacob Fauth two tracts of land of fifty acres each, which were located between Swamp Creek and Society Run, extending from their junction along the former about one hundred and seventy perches, and along the latter about two hundred and sixty perches. He was naturalized in April session of Supreme Court, 1743. Balthasar and Rosina, his wife, had two children,- Christopher, died December 28, 1756 George, born September 22,1737. Rosina Heydrick died October 23, 1738. Balthasar Heydrick married, (second) Maria, daughter of Christopher Hoffrichter, May 15, 1741. Their children were Abraham, born November 5, 1742 Susanna, born October 5, 1745 Melchior, born October 23, 1747 Balthasar, born December 29, 1750 (was a captain in the Revolutionary War). Balthasar Heydrick died January 12, 1753. 837 George Heebner, also a member of the Schwenkfelder colony of 1734, settled immediately in Frederick. On January 28, 1736, jointly with Henry Antes, he purchased twenty-eight acres of land in New Hanover Township for the better accommodation of a grist-mill which had been erected upon the adjoining land in Frederick Township, of Henry Antes. November 3, 1736, he bought seventy-five and three-quarters acres in New Hanover Township on the Frederick Township line. February 24, 1741, he purchased one hundred acres in Frederick township previously held by George Haan. He was naturalized May 19, 1739. January 14 and 15, 1742, a religious conference, led by Count Zinzendorf, was held at his house. He died November 3, 1773. He left a legacy of forty pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania to the son of his sister Mary, in Germany, for a remembrance of his uncle." His sister was married to one J. Christopher Nicolai, at Goerlitz, in Lusatia, gardener. One-tenth of the remainder of his estate he gave "to the school erected among the Religious Society called Schwenkfeldians, to be paid to the trustees of the school, to be applied by them to such purposes as the plan and articles of the school direct." One-tenth of his estate was also "to be paid into the alms-box of the people called Schwenkfeldians towards the relief of the poor among said people." George Heebner and Rosina Kriebel were married November 22, 1738, and had Melchior, born July 2, 1742, died December 21, 1744. Rosina Heebner died July 25, 1745. He married, May 16, 1749, Susanna Schultz, who died November 2, 1772, without issue. John Heebner, a brother of George Heebner, also came with the Schwenkfelder colony. Before March 22, 1738, he acquired land in Frederick Township, near Society Run. His wife's name was Maria. Their children were Hans Melchior (who married February 11, 1752, and settled in Worcester township). Anna. John Heebner, while assisting his son, Melchior, in taking in the second crop of hay, fell from the wagon, and of the injuries received he died September 17, 1754. Daniel Christman, who arrived in Pennsylvania September 5, 1730, bought of Martin Funk and Magdalena, his wife, in March 27, 1735, one hundred acres, and the following day sixty acres. These tracts were located in Frederick Township and had been purchased by Martin Funk previous to March 1, 1726; they were part of the five hundred acres bought by Michael Herger, February 7, 1717. Daniel Christman belonged to the Lutheran Church; he contributed five shillings towards paying for a bell for New Hanover Lutheran Church in 1748. His children were Anna Ella, married in December, 1749, Johannes Grob, who lived in Coventry township, Chester Co. Felix, born in 1733, who moved to Vincent township, Chester Co. Elizabeth, born in 1734 Jacob, born in 1737, died in Frederick township February 27, 1804 George, born 1739, a joiner, lived in Frederick township Henry, born 1741, a saddler, lived in Vincent township. The early settlers were mostly Germans. Their descendants and the present inhabitants retain the German language in the modified form known as the Pennsylvania-German dialect. STATISTICS. -The first official list of taxables of Frederick township is furnished in the return made by the proprietaries' agent, in 1734, as follows: Adam Barsteller, 25 acres Michael Bastian Ludwig Dotterer Johan Dilbeck George Philip Dotterer, 150 acres Michael Dotterer, 100 acres Ludwig Englehart, 100 acres Baltus Fauth, 100 acres Jacob Fauth, 100 acres Daniel Frantz, Wilhelm Frey, 150 acres Jacob Fuchs Martin Funk, 160 acres Joh. Geo. Ganser Christian Getzendonner Joseph Graef, 100 acres Joh. Hein. Hageman, 100 acres Michael Hendicrks Johannes Herb Gotlieb Herger, 80 acres Michael Herger, 200 acres Adam Hill Michael Hill Paul Hipple Martin Husacker Johannes Kraus, 150 acres Joh. Geo. Kraus, 22 acres Michael Kraus, 150 acres Jacob Mecklin Christian Mueller Johannes Neus (Nice) 200 acres Abraham Pfenning Frederick Reymer, 100 acres Henrich Schmidt, 80 acres Christian Schneider Joh Geo. Schwenhart, 100 acres Joh. George Sprogell, 120 acres Henrich Stettler, 140 acres Christian Stottler, 50 acres Henrich Stover, 100 acres George Trumbauer. In 1741, Frederick township had seventy-six taxables. In 1785 the taxables were Francis Bard Jacob Bernger Samuel Bertolet Conrad Bickhard Anthony Bitting George Boyer Henry Boyer Jacob Boyer Leonard Boyer Philip Boyer William Boyer David Broog Philip Brown Valentine Buff Joseph Butterweck Jacob Christman John DeHaven Jacob Detweiler Conrad Dotterer John Dotterer Michael Dotterer Philip Dotterer John Faust Peter Faust John Ferer Jacob Fingenbiner Charles Fox Peter Gable Mathew Geist Godshall Godshall Isaac Goschin Michael Gougler Conrad Grobb Henry Grobb Abraham Groff Henry Groff John Groff Jacob Groner Jacob Grubb Conrad Haffenger Elias Hartenstein Henry Hartenstein John Harterstein Jacob Hartman Jacob Hauck John Heebner Philip Heebner Anthony Herb John Herger John Hiltebidle Peter Hofstat Adam Hollenbush Henry Hollenbush Joseph Hollenbush Balthaser Keiser Michael Koons Nicholas Koons Christian Krause Daniel Krause Henry Krause Michael Krause, Jr Michael Krause, Sr Adam Kugler Jacob Kugler Francis Leidig Philip Leidig John Ley Martin Lightly Thomas Mayberry George Michael Henry Miller George Moore George Nyce, Jr George Nyce, Sr Zacharius Nyce Michael Esterline Jacob Pennybacker John Reimer Ludwig Reimer Henry Roschon Peter Roschon John Rotenbacher Henry Sassman George Scheffey Michael Schillig William Schlottrer Ludwig Schuettler Frederick Schwartz Abraham Schwenck Daniel Schwenck George Schwenck Henry Smith Jacob Smith Benjamin Snyder Valentine Snyder Abraham Solomon Christian Stettler Jacob Stettler John Sutton David Underkoffler Jacob Underkoffler, Jr Jacob Underkoffler, Sr Adam Wartman Godfried Wisler Nicholas Wollinger George Wooslley? Daniel Yost John Yost Jr. John Yost Sr Peter Yost Jobn Zieber Martin Zieler Gottlieb Zink Tobias Zink. - 114. 838 In 1800 the population was 629, which included 1 slave; the number of taxables was 132. In 1810 the population was 828; taxes assessed, $450. The taxes assessed in 1816 were $475.29. In 1820 the population was 927, including 17 free colored persons. In 1830 the population was 1047. In 1832, the township contained 215 horses, 478 cattle 10,989 acres under cultivation, valued at an average of $20 per acre. In 1840 the census showed a population of 1217. Of these, 229 were employed in agriculture, 8 in commerce, 106 in manufactures and trades, 3 in navigation of the ocean, 5 in the learned professions; 2 persons were blind and 4 of unsound mind. In 1850 the census returned 1431 inhabitants, of whom 17 were free colored; number of families, 268; number of dwellings, 232; taxes assessed, $862.54. In 1860 the population was 1783: taxes assessed, $915.82; farms, 220; dwellings, 220. In 1870 the population was 1818. In 1880 the population was returned as 1944. The persons who were appointed to offices in Frederick township prior to the beginning of the present century are given below,- CONSTABLES. 1754, Henry Kraus and Henry Hartweek were, appointed 1755, Henry Kraus 1756, John Umstat 1757, ____ Schmidt 1758, John Herger 1759, John Herger, Michael Renn 1767, John Jost 1768, George Nyce 1769, Peter Hauck 1770, Conrad Grubb 1772, Anthony Houser 1773, George Michael 1775, John Rymer and George Wateman 1776, Henry Stetler 1777, Adam Hollobush, Jr 1780, John Heebner, Henry Hollobush 1781, Henry Kraus, Charles Zellner 1782, Ludwig Reimer 1783, Henry Sassaman 1784, John Zieber 1785, Philip Boyer 1786, Christian Stetler 1787, Matthias Geist 1788, David Underkoffer 1789, Philip Leidig 1790, Peter Roshun 1791, John Gougler 1792, John Yost 1793, John Nyce 1794, ____ Bartolet 1796, Francis Leidig 1798, Jacob Underkoffler 1799, Michael Dotterer. OVERSEERS OF HIGHWAYS. September 1754, Andrew Boyer and Jacob Whiteman were appointed 1755, Felix Lea, Peter Ettleman 1757, John Jost, George Michael 1758, George Nyce, Jacob Underkoffler 1759, Casper Achenbach, Peter Werner 1760, Henry Smith, Wendel Hoch 1767, Henry Boyer, Michael Dotterer 1768, Barnet Tyiele, Peter Hollobush 1769, Ludwig Schuettler, George Boyer 1770, Philip Boyer, John Yost 1773, Christian Stetler, George Weickert 1775, Jacob Christman, William Boyer, Henry Boyer, George Schwenk 1776, Michael Koons, John Heebner 1779, Henry Sassaman, Philip Boyer 1780, Jacob Detwiler, John Ziber 1790, Abraham Graff, Michael Gougler. OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. March, 1768, Zachariah Nyce and Jacob Underkoffler were appointed 1769, George Deal, Christian Hollobush 1770, Jacob Christman. Christian Stetler 1772, Ludwig Reimer, Ludwig Schuettler 1773, Michael Dotterer, Jacob Steller, John Fried, Andrew Trumbauer 1775, Adam Hollobush, William Boyer 1776, John Hildebeidel, Henry Kraus, Jr. 1779, Mathias Geist, George Zellner 1780, Jacob Zieber, Jacob Underkoffler 1795, Martin Detwieler, Henry Seipel. The township officials at the beginning of 1855 are Justices of the Peace George W. Steiner, John H. Gottshalk Constable Ambrose S. Keeler Supervisors of Roads Henry Bolten Jacob Welfly Assessor Isaac G. Grimley Judge of Elections N. W. Underkoffler Inspectors of Elections James Bernhard Jacob D. Daub. In politics the views of the citizens of Frederick accord with the principles, enunciated by Jefferson and Jackson, and held by the Democratic party. For many years after the establishment of our present form of government and the erection of the county the voters of a group of a townships held their elections at one polling-place. Frederick township was attached to that district which voted at Krebs' tavern, in New Hanover township. The vote for candidates for President of the United States since Frederick votes by itself, from 1832 to the present time, was,- 1832: Jackson, 113; Clay, 22 1836: Van Buren, 109; Harrison, 34 1840: Van Buren, 156; Harrison, 69 1844: Polk, 207; Clay, 73 1848: Cass, 216; Taylor, 69 1852: Peirce, 216; Scott, 47 1856: Buchanan, 274; Fremont and Fillmore combined, 34 1860: Breckinridge, Douglas, and Bell, (Fusion), 258; Lincoln, 65 1864: McClellan, 289; Lincoln, 55 1868: Seymour, 290; Grant, 96 1872: Greeley, 219; Grant, 95 1876: Tilden, 310; Hayes, 118 1880: Hancock, 321; Garfield, 151 1884: Cleveland, 307; Blaine, 100. CHURCHES AND BURYING-GROUNDS. -The early settlers were, with few exceptions, Germans, who were in most cases driven hither by the scourging wars, and religious persecutions then raging in Europe. Being pious men and women, they soon formed themselves into religious societies. John Philip Boehm, a schoolmaster, as early as 1720, "maintained the ministry of the Word, to the best of his ability and to the great satisfaction of the people," among the Reformed inhabitants of Falkner Swamp. From his efforts, grew the Falkner Swamp Reformed congregation, which still exists in New Hanover township. In 1729, Boehm was ordained to the ministry and he continued until 1748 to exercise spiritual care over this congregation. In 1728, George Philip Dodderer, residing in the territory afterwards erected into Frederick township, was a member of the consistory of the Falkner Swamp Church. In 1742, Frederick Reimer, and John Jacob Kraus, of Frederick township, were elders. In 1747 an event important in the history of this church, occurred at the house of John Miller, who resided near the mouth of Society Run. On the 17th of March of that year Rev. Michael Schlatter superintendent of the Reformed Churches in Pennsylvania and adjoining colonies, came, by invitation, from Philadelphia, and administered the sacrament of baptism to the wife and eight children of Dr. Miller, in the presence of several hundred person assembled to witness the solemn service. Dr. Miller in this times an elder in the church, and continued to hold office until his, death, in 1755. In 1748, Rev. John Philip Leydich came from Europe, and began to labor here and continued to do so until 1765. The Reformed people in the eastern portion of the township connected with the Old Goshenhoppen congregation, in Salford Township, near Perkiomen Creek, which was formed as early as 1732. Christian Hollobush and Peter Hollobush were among the earliest who did so. 839 The Lutheran people of Frederick Township worshiped in the New Hanover Lutheran Church, located in the heart of Falkner Swamp. This congregation was organized about the year 1720. It is stated the Rev. Justus Falkner, a Lutheran minister, preached here in 1703; but this occurred probably at Morlatton (Douglasville), where the Swedes organized a Lutheran Church in 1700, and not at New Hanover, where the earliest settlers, according to the records, arrived later. About 1734 John Casper Stover was pastor. In 1742 Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg came, and he continued in charge of the congregation until 1762. Daniel Christman and Michael Herger were of the Lutheran faith. The mean, of religious instruction in the primitive times, although they differed from those of the present day, were by no mean wanting. In the year 1740, Whitefield, the revival preacher, came to the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick township, and preached to the people, the number assembled on this occasion being two thousand. Seward's journal describes this event as follows: "April 24, 1740. . . Came to Christopher Wigner's plantation, in Skippack, where many Dutch People are settled, and where the famous Mr. Spangenberg resided lately. It was surprizing to see such a Multitude of People gathered together in such a wilderness Country, Thirty Miles distant from Philadelphia. Our dear friend, Peter Bohler, preached in Dutch to those who could not understand our Brother (Whitefield) in English. Came to Henry Anti's Plantation, in Frederick Township, Ten Miles farther in the Country, where was also a Multitude equally surprizing was that we had in the Morning. . . . There was much melting under both Sermons. . . . At Night I was drawn to sing and pray with our Brethren in the Fields. Brother Whitefield was very weak in Body, but the Lord Jehovah was his strength. . . . for I never heard him speak more, clear and powerful. They were Germans where we dined and supp'd, and they pray'd; and sung in Dutch, as we did in English, before and after Eating." A religious movement of importance, in which a number of the inhabitants of Frederick Township were interested, took rise in 1742 in Pennsylvania. Count Zinzendorf came to America in 1741 upon a religious mission. Henry Antes, of Frederick, soon made his acquaintance. They conferred with reference to uniting "such souls out of the different religious denominations who sought their salvation through Jesus Christ, through the bonds of love," -a subject in which they both felt a deep interest. On the 15th of December, 1741, a call was issued, over the signature of Henry Antes, for a meeting of Christians at Germantown on New Year's day. Another meeting was held at the house of George Heebner, in Frederick township, on the 14th and 15th of January, at which John George Stieffel William Frey Andrew Frey Henry Antes Adam Schaus, all of Frederick Township, were in attendance. On the 7th of December 1742, Count Zinzendorf preached at Falkner Swamp (doubtless at the house of Henry Antes), from Psalm cxxx, 3: "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" The unity movement meeting with opposition from many of the Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonites, Dunker, and Schwenkfelders now became a Moravian interest. The second week in March, 1745, the Moravian Synod met at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick Township. it Moravian congregation was formed in Frederick township which, in 1747, numbered twenty-three persons. Of those who were permanently settled in Frederick Township, the following were connected with this Moravian congregation: William Frey and family Andrew Frey Henry Antes and family. Of those who were temporarily in Frederick Township, or engaged at the Moravian school, were Abraham Andreas, who learned wheelwrighting with Antes Gottlieb Demuth, who resided here in 1739 Mary Catharine Gemehle, daughter of David Gemehle John Henry Knauss, weaver and farmer, from Goerlitz Sebastian Knauss, brother of the proceeding, born in Tittlesheim, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, and learned the trade of wheelwright with Henry Antes John H. Moeller, miller at Antes' mill, and Rosina, his wife John Michael Muecke, cooper, a native of Upper Silesia Daniel OEsterlein, born in Ulm Christopher Paua, shoemaker, a native of Hungary David Reichard, born in Silesia John Adam Schneider, farmer, from Schaumburg-Lippe Frederick Pfeiffer, born in Frederick township Frederick Weber, weaver, born in Nassau-Siegen Adam Kremser and Rosina, his wife Adolph Meyer and Justina, his wife Frederick Boeckel, farmer, born in Duerrheim, Rhenish Bavaria J. George Hautsch, Jr., from Altendorf, Saxony John Turner and Elizabeth, his wife Anthony, a negro, bequeathed to Bishop Sprangenberg by Thomas Noble, of New York John George Stieffel, born in Reinheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, who immigrated in 1720 Adam Schaus. At present there is no Moravian congregation in Frederick township. The Mennonites have a house of worship on Mine road, west of Schwenksville. The congregation was founded about the year 1815. Rev. Moses H. Gottschall has been pastor for thirty-nine years. In the adjoining place of burial are stones bearing the family names Allebaugh Gottschall Grubb Longanecker Moyer Pannepacker Tyson Upright Urweiler Wasser. 840 Keeler's church, on the Great road near the centre of the township, was built jointly by the Lutheran and the Reformed congregations. Lewis Schittler, Jacob Haack, George Moore and Philip Krause, representing the two congregations, under date of June 20, 1833, purchased three acres and eight perches of land from the following parties: First, of Ludwig Schittler, one acre and eight perches second, of Joseph Keeler and Mary, his wife, one-acre third, of Jesse K. Reifsnyder, Richard K. Reifsnyder, Reinhard March and Esther, his wife, Abraham Mattis and Sarah, his wife, Lydia Reifsnyder and Mary Matilda Reifsnyder, heirs and divisees of Salome Koons, deceased, one acre. The consideration named in the deed is fifty cents in each case. The building, which is of brick, was erected on the spot previously occupied by a school-house. The building committee were Ludwig Schittler and Philip Krause, of the Lutheran congregation, and George Moore and Jacob Hauck, of the Reformed congregation. The cornerstone was laid on September 28, 1833, and the church was dedicated May 10 and 11, 1834. The Reformed deacons at that time were John Dreisbach Daniel Hauck Samuel Leidig Jonathan Nyce. The Reformed pastors have been Rev. H. S. Bassler, 1834 to 1844 Rev. Samuel Seibert, to 1851 Rev. A. L. Dechant, to the present time. The Lutheran pastors have been Rev. Conrad Miller, 1834 to 1852 Rev. Nathan Yeager, to 1857 Rev. Henry Wendt to 1864 Rev. Nathan Yeager Rev Messrs. Strutz, Groh, Francis T. Hoover and Laitzle, each for a short term, from 1864 to 1869. Rev William B. Fox, to the present time. About the year 1848 a organ was purchased. In 1855 a Sunday-school building of brick was erected on a lot on the hill on the west bank of Society Run, a short distance from the church. Within a few years the interior of the church has been altered and improved, the galleries on the three sides having been removed and the high pulpit on the southwest side taken down, a modern pulpit and chancel placed in the southeast side, and modern pews introduced; a neat steeple was at the same time placed upon the edifice. The cemetery adjoining the church is large, and has been several times enlarged. The following families have, made interments here Albright Anderson Apple Bardman Berks Bolton Bowman Boyer Christman Daub Dorn Dyson Erb Faust Fisher Frankenberger Fryer Fullmer Gaugler Geyer Godshalk Greigg Gresh Grobb Grode Hauch Hollowbush Imbody Johnson Kalb Keeler Keeley Knerr Koons Krause Leidy Maberry Meddinger Messinger Miller Mock Moor Moyer Neidig Neiffer Nelson Pannepacker Rahn Reed Reichard Reifsnyder Roeller Royer Samsel Sassaman Saylor Schenkel Smith Steiner Stetler Stoneback Styer Sweisfort Thompson Tyson Umstead Underkoffler Wagener Weand Weiant Wick Yost. In 1846 the brick meeting-house known as Bertolet's, was erected on a lot of ground in the western portion of the township. It was dedicated on Whitsuntide, 1847. It adjoins a private burial-ground in use since 1766. A Mennonite congregation, formed about the year 1847, worships in this building. Rev. Abraham Hunsicker, who was bishop of Skippack, preached the first year; Rev. Moses H. Gottschall followed from 1848 to 1872 Rev. N. B. Grubb, except a short interval, from 1872 to 1882 Rev. William S. Gottschall is the present pastor. In the summer of 1848 the first Sabbath-school in this section of the country was opened in this house. The ancient graveyard adjacent to the meeting-house lot is inclosed with a substantial stone wall, and the grounds are planted with evergreens and carefully kept. Of those who sleep here, the stones give us the family names of Bertolet Bertolette Bliem De Nice Dotterer Frey Gottschalk Grobb Hummel Hunsberger Nyce Shoemaker Smoll Weidman Zoller. Many are buried here whose graves are not marked; among these are Esterline Hahn Grode and Caesar, a colored resident of former times. The River Brethren, an offshoot from the Mennonites, have it society which meets at intervals of thirteen weeks at the house of its; pastor, Rev. Henry A. Landis, on Swamp Creek, west of Zieglerville. Their name originated in this wise: They called themselves, Brethren in Christ, and their membership was composed of persons residing on the bank of the Susquehanna River. In the same neighborhood, not so near the river, were the Dunkers, who also called themselves Brethren. The common people, to distinguish them from the Dunkers, called the Brethren in Christ the River Brethren. In the early times it was customary among the leading families to bury their dead on the farm, on a spot set aside for this purpose. In the course of time the neighbors brought their dead for burial to these private grounds. A number of these family graveyards are maintained in this township, others are neglected and overgrown with bramble, and bushes, and still others have relapsed into their former uses as fields for farming and traces of them are lost. The Leidig private burying-ground is the largest of its kind in the township. It contain one-quarter of an acre of ground, square in shape, taken from four adjoining farms; is inclosed with a stone wall. It is located in the southwestern part of the township, east of Swamp Creek. On the 17th of January, 1764, David Shultze made a survey of the land "of Christian Stetler and a draft which shows that was the space set apart for the burial place was taken from the farms then belonging to Christian Stetler, Rev. John Philip Leydich, Henry Smith and George Michael Kuntz. Another quarter of an acre has been given for the like use by the will of the late Christian Stetler; this adjoins the original plot and is not inclosed. The wall was built in 1783, at it cost of ฃ36 4s. 8d. It was covered with tiles until 1797, when a board covering was put on, and the tiles were sold for ฃ34 15s. 5d. The improvements made in 1795, cost ฃ34 15s. 6d. The same year Henry Krauss left a legacy of five pounds for the benefit of the graveyard. The contributors in 1783 were, - ฃ s d Ludwig Englehart 3 0 0 Philip Leydich, Sr. 3 0 0 Heinrich Schmidt 2 0 0 Casper Achenbach 1 10 0 Frederick Kuntz 1 10 0 Michael Kuntz 1 10 0 Christian Stetler 1 10 0 Jacob Stetler 1 10 0 Johannes Stetler 1 10 0 Joseph Bitting 1 2 6 Frederick Weiss 1 8 0 Heinrich Sassaman 1 3 4 Lenhart Leydich 15 0 Johannes Herger 10 0 Michael Krebes 10 0 Jacob Christman 7 6 George Michael 7 6 Catherine Stetler 7 6 Benjamin Schneider 7 6 Andreas Will 7 6 Philip Leydich 7 0 Heinrich Grob 7 0 Daniel Krauss 5 0 David Bruch 4 3 Total ฃ25 6 7 841 The family names of those buried here, including both the graves marked by stones and those without stones, are Achenbach Acker Bender Bitting Boyer Christman Emerich Fuchs Grob Herb Herman Herriger Hoffman Koons Krausz Langbein Leydich Litecap Mattis May Mebry Moor Neunzehenhoeltzer Pannepacker Puhl Reifisnyder Reimer Roth Sassaman Scheid Schlonecker Schmidt Schneider Schwartz Schwenk Seylor Stetler Sweisfort Weisz Wuelling Zieber. The Antes burial-place, in the western corner of the township is invested with historical interest, owing to the fact that Henry Antes, a man known and respected all over Pennsylvania in the colonial times, once owned this property, and is buried here. It is inclosed with a post and rail fence, and it is overgrown with voting trees and wild flowers. Frederick Antes, the father of Henry Antes, was buried here in 1740, and Henry Antes himself in July, 1755. Other members of the family also rest here. The only stones remaining are those of Henry Antes and of a member of the Schoelkop family. In the middle of a field, in an unenclosed space, a short distance north of Zieglerville, on the farm owned by Willoughby Smith, members of the Boyer family, who settled here early, are buried. On the farm of Hon. Samuel Faust, in the meadow beside Society Run, is a private burial-place, unenclosed, and in which are grave-stones bearing the names Faust Grob Hunsberger Miller Reimer Schwenk Smith Walt Yost Zieber. In Zieglerville, a few steps from the turnpike, is the burying-place of the Underkoffler family, who was the first settlers here. It is inclosed with a wall. The names of those resting here are Cressman Dreisbach Long Scholl Slotterer Underkoffler. On the farm of Charles Koch, a mile north of Zieglerville, the Bickhard Hollobush Millhoff families are buried. On the farm of David Wood, west of Zieglerville, some burials are made. One is Michael Krause, born August 29, 1750, died June 9, 1807. Tradition states that the place between Keeler's church and the school- house, through which a public road runs, was formerly occupied with graves. SCHOOLS. -The importance of maintaining schools for the education of the young has always been kept in view in this township. The Lutheran and Reformed Church people organized schools contemporaneously with their congregations. As was the custom in Germany, schools and churches were inseparable. The schools of these two denominations were located in New Hanover Township and the youth of Frederick, in the earliest times, of necessity went there to be taught. The Moravian brethren, in 1745, established a school of some importance. At the meeting of their Synod the second week in March, at his home in Frederick township, Henry Antes offered the use of his plantation, the buildings and the mill, for use as a hoarding-school for boys, and on the 3d of June the same year it school was opened with the following organization and twenty-three pupils, whose names, as recorded in the Moravian archives, are: Superintendents. -Christopher and Christiana Francke of Bethlehem. Tutor, John C. Heynes Manager of the Farm. - Christopher and Ann M. Demuth Manger of the Mill. - John H. and Rosina Moeller Pupils. - Elias Albrecht, son of Anthony and Catherine Albrecht, born in Philadelphia County Jonathan Beck, son of H. F. and Barbara Beck, born in Georgia Stephen Blum, Jacob Blum and Francis Blum, sons of Francis and Catharine Blum, born in Saucon, Buck Co Daniel, a Mohegan, of Shecomeco Christopher Demuth and Christian Demuth, sons of Gotthard and Regina Demuth, born in Germantown Tobias Demuth, son of Gottlieb and Eve Demuth, born in 1741 in Saucon Emmanuel, a negro, from St. Thomas Benjamin Garrison, born on Staten Island Lawrence Hartman and Thomas Hartman, sons of Frederick and Margaret Hartman, born in Frankford, Philadelphia Co Frederick Klemm, son of Frederick and Susan C. Klemm, born in Philadelphia Andrew Klotz and John Nicholas Klotz, sons of Albrecht and Anna M. Klotz, born in Tulpehocken Mary M. Miller, born in Milford Township, Bucks Co Daniel Neubert, son of Daniel and Regina Neubert, born in Holstein Conrad Schaus, son of J. Adam and Barbara Schaus, born in January, 1738, in Henry Antes' mill Daniel Vetter, John Vetter and Peter Vetter, sons of Jacob and Magdalena Vetter, born in Oley During the, year the following also entered the school as pupils Henry Antes and John Antes, sons of Henry and Christina Antes Mathias Frey, son of William and Verona Frey, born in Falkner Swamp Jesse Jones and Levi Jones, sons of John Jones, of New Providence Township, Philadelphia Co Henry Knauss, from Macungie Abraham Montanye, son of James and Mary Montanye, of New York Christian Newman, son of John W. and Elizabeth Newman Isaac Noble and Thomas Noble, sons of Thomas and Mary Noble, of New York Peter Schuttelheim, from Philadelphia In 1750 this boarding-school was discontinued. In 1754 a movement was started by wealthy and pious persons in London, having for its object the opening of schools in the more populous German communities in Pennsylvania, for the purpose of teaching the English language and spreading the Protestant religion. The congregations of Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg and Rev. Mr. Leydich favored the project. The Lutheran vestrymen and wardens at New Hanover sent a petition on the 1st of August to the Pennsylvania trustees of the London Society, and offered the use of the new-built large school-house, very conveniently situated in the middle of said township. The "ministers, elders and chief men of the German Calvinist Reformed congregation, and of some other Protestant denominations in the township of New Hanover," also, on the 28th of October 1754, signed a petition urging the opening of the school. This was signed by the following residents of Frederick township Conrad Dodderer John Philip Leidig, V.D.M. John Miller Frederick Reimer. The Lutheran, Reformed and other denominations acted in entire accord in this matter. The following persons were suggested as suitable to act as assistant or deputy trustees for the school for New Hanover and Frederick townships: Andrew Kepner, Henry Krebs, Lutheran Henry Antes, Esq., Mr. John Reifsnyder, Calvinist John Potts, Esq., William Maugeredge, Esq., English It is not certain that this school was actually put in operation, if so, it existed but a short time. 842 Parochial schools were maintained by the Lutherans and the Reformed at New Hanover continuously during the colonial times. Schools were also established in the communities irrespective of the churches. A number of the citizens of New Hanover and Frederick townships, at a public meeting held on the 28th of February, 1807, determined to build a school-house and dwelling-house for the teacher on the Great road, above the township line, in New Hanover township. Among the subscribers from Frederick township to the cost of the under taking were George Nyce Ludwig Schittler Elizabeth Nyce Peter Daub John Reller John Dotterer Francis Leidig Christian Stetler Michael Kuntz Elizabeth Bertolet Jacob Grubb Michael Albrecht Michael Dotterer Jacob Leidig Henry Daub Elizabeth Snyder Philip Heebner Adam Stetler Jacob Nyce Philip Zieber Daniel Schwenk John Zieber George Nyce, Jr. In this building was supported for forty years a school for the education of the youth of Frederick and New Hanover townships, under the care of a succession of excellent teachers, among whom were the late Adam Stemmer, Esq. Benjamin Schneider John H. Steiner Samuel Hartranft Jeremiah Grimley Ephraim A. Schwenk. In 1808 a school-house was built upon the site now occupied by Keeler's church. It was named the Charitable School of Frederick township. The deed for the ground, containing forty perches, was dated December 10, 1808. Michael Kuntz and Salome, his wife, were the grantors, and Philip Kuntz, Henry Stetler, George Moore and Conrad Geyer, the grantees. The consideration money was five shillings. A log school-house was built and stood here until 1833, when it was rolled some yards to the westward to make room for the church. It has since been replaced by a brick building In 1840 the township had four schools and two hundred and sixty-nine pupils. The first board of directors of public schools in Frederick Township was organized on the 8th of June, 1853. Schools were kept open three months in the year the salary of the teachers $18.89 per month. In 1860 there were 9 schools and 482 pupils; expenditures, $1615.39; teachers' salaries $22. In 1870 there were 9 schools and 483 pupils; expenditure $2089; salaries $33. In 1880, 10 schools and 462 pupils; expenditures $1921.40; salaries $27.50 In 1884 the number of schools had increased to eleven, that at Zeiglerville being graded. The school directors at the beginning, of 1885 are Jacob G. Grimley (president) George W. Steiner (secretary) Samuel S. Smith (treasurer) H. H. Faust George F. Moore Henry H. Johnson. FREDERICK INSTITUTE. -In 1855 Frederick Institute, a classical and day-school, was established by the friends of education in the community. It was opened in the fall of 1855 in the brick building on the hill west of Society Run, near Keeler's church, Cyrus F. Guldin, A.B., a graduate of Dickinson College, was the first principal. The following academic year Rev. A. S. Vaughn took charge. In 1857 it was, chartered by the court of Montgomery County, and a large brick edifice, costing five thousand dollars, and adapted to the wants of a boarding-school, was erected on high ground along the Great road. The institution enjoyed prosperity for a number of years, during which many young men were prepared for college and for useful occupations. Young women were also taught. The following were the conductors, from its organization to its close, in 1867 C. F. Guldin, A.M. Rev. A. S. Vaughn Rev. Charles Radford Rev. Professor M. A. Richards Rev. L. C. Sheip Rev. T. F. Hoffmeier Professor A. P. Supplee Rev. F. T. Hoover. MILLS AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. -The valuable water-power furnished by the two, large streams -Perkiomen Creek and Swamp Creek- induced the erection of mills almost at the beginning of the arrival of settlers, and has been a stimulant to enterprise and a source of profit to mill operators ever since. Before January 28, 1736, Henry Antes and George Heebner had erected a grist- mill on Swamp Creek. The site of this mill is still traced by remnants of masonry and evidences of the excavation of the race, visible at the point where the road from Bertolet's meeting-house crosses Swamp Creek. The partnership, between Antes and Heebner terminated September 14, 1747. It was a "grist-mill with two pair of stones under one roof." Previous to July 7, 1737, Joseph Groff had erected a grist-mill at the upper end of Frederick Township, on Perkiomen Creek. On the 9th of July, 1773, Joseph Groff having died, the executors of his estate sold this "water grist-mill, and Messuage or Tenement and Three Pieces or Tracts of land, lying contiguous to each other," to John Groff, miller, of Frederick township. A portion of the three tracts, which contained three hundred and twelve and one half acres in the aggregate, was on the east side of the Perkiomen Creek; the mill was on the west bank. Previous to 1759, George Nyce established a tannery on the Grant Road, at the New Hanover and Frederick township line, which is still carried on, the property being in the possession of John Jacobs, who is intermarried with a descendent of the original owner. 843 In 1785 the township had five grist-mills, four saw-mills, two tanneries, and two hemp-mills. In 1800, Andrew Schwartz built an oil-mill, which was propelled by Perkiomen Creek. He carried on the oil business many years. The mill is not now in existence. Peter Smith owned two powder-mills, one on Perkiomen Creek, the other on Deep Creek. After carrying on the business many years, he turned them into oil-mills. They are now in ruins. Jeremiah Roshong owned an oil-mill propelled by a small stream in the northern part of the township. Jacob Schwenk had a powder-mill on Perkiomen Creek, near Frederick Station; it is torn down. Bertolet's mill, which succeeded Henry Antes', but farther down the stream, has been in operation and widely known for at least a hundred years. It is at this time owned by Henry Grubb. In 1832 the township contained three grist-mills, six saw-mills, six oil- mills, one clover-mill, one powder-mill, one tilt-mill, one fulling-mill and one tannery. On the map of the township of 1849 the following are market: On Perkiomen Creek, beginning at the upper end and coming down the stream, Schwartz's oil-mill Snyder's grist-mill Johnson's powder-mill J. Schwenk's oil-mill on Deep Creek Smith's powder-mill; on Mine Creek, Steiner's grist-mill Weber's grist and saw-mill; on Swamp Creek, going up the stream, Schwenk's oil-mill Abraham Ziegler's grist, saw and oil-mill Stoneback's mill Conrad Keeler's auger and gimlet-factory Saylor's grist and saw-mill Bertolet's grist and saw-mill Schwenk's tannery, on the pike above Schwenksville; on a branch of Swamp Creek, Moore's clover and chop-mill Nyce's tannery, on Great road, near township line between Frederick and New Hanover Cope's pottery, Neiffier's pottery and Bolton's pottery all a mile west of Perkiomenville, Jacob Sassaman's tap-auger shop, two miles west of Perkiomenville Weiand's blacksmith-shop and Shaner's blacksmith-shop, near Keeler's church. Green Tree Creamery, located in Frederick village, was incorporated October 16, 1880, with a capital of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. The present directors are H. H. Faust (president) Dr. F. M. Knipe (treasurer) I. W. Stetler (secretary) Henry Wagener C. W. Markley J. A. Sweisfort W. R. Moyer Samuel Richards. COPPER-MINE. -The proprietary government from the first kept in view the possibility that valuable ores might be found in the new province. The Stone Hills, in Frederick, were believed for years to contain copper-ore, and the hope is cherished to this day, more or less openly, that mineral wealth may be found underlying these rocky fastnesses. The deputies of William Penn, by patent dated the 8th of the Fourth Month (June,) 1703, granted to Nathaniel Puckle a tract four hundred and fifty acres of land fronting on the present northeast line of Limerick township a distance of one hundred and fifty-five perches and extending. to the northeast four hundred and sixty seven perches, in the southwestern portion of the limits of the present township of Frederick. This land was described as rough and unimproved. Hannah Penn, widow and executrix of the late proprietary, brought suit, on the 9th of December, 1723, against the estate of Puckle, who had in the meantime died. The sheriff seized this property to satisfy her "certain debt and damages," and sold it on the 24th of February, 17924, to Andrew Hamilton, Esq., of the city of Philadelphia. It was at this time supposed to contain a valuable copper- mine, and it was intended that the tract, "with all its Mines, Minerals, and Ore, should be held in sixteen parts or shares by the said Andrew Hamilton and other partners." The, purchaser made deeds to Christopher Clymer, Samuel Preston, James Logan, Elizabeth Paris and perhaps others for their shares, "as tenants in common and not in joint tenantey," on condition that they should join in the expense of digging, searching for and getting of copper-ore, if any could be found upon or within the tract. Andrew Hamilton owning one or more shares, by his will, dated August 2, 1741, devised his interest to his eldest son, James Hamilton, Esq. On the 13th of March, 1770, the sheriff of the county, "to vest the legal title in the premises in the said James Hamilton, devisee," by deed poll conveyed to him the entire tract of four hundred and fifty acres. By an act of General Assembly passed the 21st of March, 1772, entitled "An Act for Vesting a Certain Tract of Four Hundred and Fifty Acres of Land situate in Frederick Township, in the County of Philadelphia, commonly called the Perkioming Copper-Mine Tract in Trustees to be sold, and for other purposes," all the estate, right, title, interest, claim, and demand whatsoever of the said James Hamilton and other partners of and in the said Land and Mine Company was vested in John Gibson, Jacob Lewis, Jacob Shoemaker and Henry Drinker in trust to sell the premises at public auction. The trustees sold the tract in parts to several persons, subject to "a reservation of one-tenth part of all ore which shall at any time or times hereafter be dug, raised or extracted from the premises, and that clear of all expenses, to he delivered at the pit's mouth" to the owners of the shares. On the 9th of June, 1773, they conveyed one hundred and seventy-nine acres and sixty-five perches to George Wickard and George Michael; on the 18th of April, 1773, Valentine Sheely purchased one hundred and eight acres and fifteen perches, for which he obtained a deed on the 12th of November, 1773; and the same year a tract was sold to Matthias Geist. The tract of one hundred and seventy-nine acres, on the 14th of October, 1784, passed into the ownership of Abraham Schwenk. Actual efforts to find ore evidently were made, for the mouth of the old mine is pointed out to the present day. 844 "The company," says an authority of more than fifty years ago, "opened a tunnel or drift from the Perkiomen Creek, extending six hundred and sixty feet to a shaft sunk eighty feet deep from the top of the hill, and it is said that they took out a large quantity of rich copper, but being unfortunate in the loss of one or two cargoes which they sent to England, they were obliged to abandon the mine after several years' hard labor and expending several thousand dollars. Previous, however, to leaving it they filled up the shaft again and shut up the mine, that the, treasures of the earth might be hidden from the world." In 1830 new attempts were made to find the veins of copper. A second excavation was discovered about ninety feet southwest of the tunnel. A silver-plated spur, which was lost in the tunnel by a gentleman from South Carolina, who was in company with the late Judge Benjamin Markley, in the mine, about the year 1800, was found by the workmen at this time. On Scull's map of 1759 the Caledonia Copper-Mine is marked on the north side of Swamp Creek, in the vicinity of its junction with Perkiomen Creek, and the Perkiomen Mine is indicated on the south side of the Stone Hills; thus it appears that at that date two localities in the township were regarded as containing the metal. ROADS. -The first roads, from one new settlement to another, were simply paths through the forest. No notice was taken by the owner of the unenclosed land of the use made by the few neighbors of his premise.-3 as a roadway. After a time, as the number of settlers increased, it became necessary to place restrictions upon the privilege of passing and repassing over private property. Petitions were accordingly addressed to the Court of Quarter Sessions, at Philadelphia, praying that roads be laid out for public use. The petition for the principal road of the township, running from the southeast to the northwest, formerly called the Skippack road, and now known as the Great road, was as follows: "To the Worshipful the Justices of the County Court of Quart Session held at Philada. the __ day of March, 1724-5. "The Petitions of the Westernmost Inhabitants of the sd County. "Humbly showeth. "Ther a road from Fanner's Mill to & thro Bebber's Township having been lately laid out, Your Petitioners humbly pray that the stone for the Conveinency of a multitude of Inhabitants, may be Extended to the Northern End of Sprogells Tract, where George Warner's Mill stands on Swamp Creek, Issuing from Oley and falling into Parkyemeny, Which said road so to be Extended cannot (it's with Submission to be, presumed) be injurious or detrimental to any, but on the Contrary Extraordinary beneficial and Commodious to all the adjacent Inhabitants. In hopes and Expectation of the obtaining of which reasonable request, your humble petitioners shall gratefully & as in duty bound, Ever pray, &c. "John Senseman. William Frey. John Kenbenry (?) Christian Stetler. Anton Henckel Hironimus Doderer. George Wanner Michael Hoerricher. Valentine Geygor Gottlieb Hoerricher. Michael Krebs Joseb Graff. George filib Dolderer Yerg Biderhard Michell Doderer. Balthas Fauth Samuel Mayer Johnickel Adam Englehart Heinrich Grob Hanse Jorg Sprugel Hans Jerg Schietz Martin Funk." A petition was made to the court held on the first-Monday of September, 1763, for a road from George-Weickert's tavern, in Frederick township, to John Bargen's mill, "on Perkjomen Creek (late Henry Von der Shlise, his mill)," and thence to Goshenhoppen Church. The signers were: "George Weickert Henrich Beyer Johannes Niss Jost Hollbusch Wendel Hurst Juliann Peter Hollbusch Fillip F. K. Crepeller, this mark Christian Hepler John Umstad. Killian Gaugler Daniel Hister Vallentine Nungesser Michael M. K. Klaus, his mark Henrich Krauss John Miller George Michael Michael Renn Georg Schwenk." The petition was granted and a road was laid out, but not to the satisfaction of Jacob Underhoffler, who petitioned for a review and change of course of the road, on the ground that "the road as now laid out and returned to this court passes through your petrs improved land and meadows, to his very great Injury, and damage." The return of the reviewers being defective, re-reviewers were appointed, and on the 26th of May, 1764, a final return was made. The road began " at Wickart's tavern, on a Great Road, commonly called Skippack road," -without doubt the road laid out in compliance with the petition of March, 1725. At the term of, court held September 1, 1766, was presented the return of jurors or viewers who had laid out a road from the Buck County line to Turkey Point, in Chester County, which passed through the entire width of Frederick township from east to west, through lands of Stephen Moyer Peter Houk John Hevener Henry Grubb Conrad Grubb Henry Statler Jacob Statler Christian Statler Frederick Antes Henry Antes William Antes and. Falkner Swamp Reformed Church lands. This is the road from Perkiomenville, via Green Tree Tavern, to Fagleysville. This highway was of great importance at that date and for a longtime afterwards. Over it passed the heavy teams which carried iron from the forges on the Perkiomen to Warwick Furnace and other iron-works in the vicinity of Pottstown. BRIDGES. -The Perkiomen and the streams flowing through the township are spanned by bridges at the crossing o the principal roads. At Perkiomenville a stone bridge of three arches was built across thc Perkiomen in 1839, by the county, at a cost of upwards of eleven thousand dollars. An iron bridge over the same stream was built at Hendricks' Station, about the year 1874, and a stone bridge at Frederick Station about twenty-five years ago. A stone bridge over Swamp Creek, at Grobb's mill, was, in 1854, erected by the county commissioners Michael Hartzell Archibald Banes John Cowden. 845 The handsome stone bridge over Society Run above Zieglerville was built by county commissioners in 1853. A stone bridge over the same steam at the point where it is crossed by the road from Perkiomenville to Keeler's church was built about forty years ago. TAVERNS. -As early as 1760, George Wickert kept a tavern in the lower part of the township. A hundred years ago a tavern was kept by a man named Hevener on the road from Perkiomenville to Keeler's church near where Old Goshenhoppen Run crosses. In 1797, Benjamin Schneider was recommended to the court for license. The Green Tree Tavern was owned by Schneider; it has been the place for holding elections from time immemorial; and has been kept by many persons, the most widely-known of whom was Joseph Keeler, who conducted it more than forty years ago. George Weidman was recommended for license in 1772, and from 1777 to 1782; Valentine Boyer, in 1779; Jacob Kugler, in 1783 and 1785. POST-OFFICES. -Frederick township has within its borders six post-offices, and enjoys daily mail communication with all points. Frederick post-office, the first, was established in 1837, with Joseph Keeler as postmaster, whose compensation for that year was $4.61. In 1839, Jonathan Nyce became postmaster, holding the position until 1855, when Abraham Freyer succeeded him. In 1863, C. S. Stetler was appointed postmaster, and he retains the office at this date. For the year ending June 30, 1883 the compensation of the postmaster, was $77.76. Perkiomenville post-office was established August 25, 1854, with Isaac Rahn as postmaster. William Ziegler is the present incumbent. For 1883 the compensation was $110.53. Zieglerville post-office was established October 11, 1858, with Joseph Ganser as postmaster. V. G. Prizer now holds the office; compensation in 1833 [sic], $114.88. Klein's post-office, at Frederick Station, on the Perkiomen Railroad, is in charge of Jacob W. Klein as postmaster compensation in 1883, $78.74. Obelisk post-office, on the Great road, in the central portion of the township, was established about 1881. A. Moyer is postmaster; compensation in 1883, $23.21 Delphi post-office, at Zieglerville Station, on the Perkiomen Railroad, was established in 1884. Its postmaster is Daniel W. Stetler. REVOLUTIONARY WAR. -The record of the part taken in the Revolutionary struggle by Frederick township imperfectly preserved. We know that after the defeat of our armies at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and during the time that Washington had his headquarters at Valley Forge, this region was largely drawn upon for needed supplies and its people were called upon to contribute assistance and render important services. The larger farmers, if not regularly connected with the army, were impressed, with their teams, into the service where occasion demanded, to transport ammunition, stores and wounded; of the last named, so the story goes, a Frederick farmer hauled a load all the way from the field at Brandywine to the hospital at Bethlehem. During the winter of 1777-78, Washington spent several days under the friendly roof of Colonel Frederick Antes, in Frederick township, and every morning the Father of his Country walked over to neighbor Samuel Bertolet's house to drink the water of a noted mineral spring. The names of a portion of the persons enrolled in Captain Michael Dotterer's company, -unfortunately the list is incomplete,- attached to the Sixth Battalion of Philadelphia County militia, in 1777 and 1778, are given below, some of the members of this company performed duty entitling them to pay. Colonel William Antes, Esq., a sub-lieutenant for the county of Philadelphia, paid Captain Michael Dotterer ฃ321 10s., amount of his pay-roll, February 28, 1778, No. 3: Peter Acker Francis Bart Jacob Belts Samuel Bertolet Conrad Bickhart Henry Boyer Jacob Boyer Philip Boyer Valentine Boyer William Boyer Jacob Christman Jacob Detweiler Conrad Dieffenbacher John Dotterer John Geist Mathias Geist John Hiltebidel Henry Hollobush Jost Hollobush Daniel Krause Henry Krause Michael Krause Michael Kuntz Francis Leidig Leonard Leidig John Ley George Michael Zacharias Nyce John Reimer Ludwig Reimer Henry Sassaman Gottfreid Saylor Peter Saylor George Schwenk Jacob Schwenk George Smith Charles Solner Christian Stetler Henry Stetler Jacob Stetler Jacob Underkoffler Henry Werner Jeremiah Wiser Jacob Zieber John Zieber. THE WAR OF 1812. -In the month of July 1814, Governor Snyder called out the Pennsylvania militia to oppose the advance of the British upon Philadelphia. Captain George Sensenderfer, of the Montgomery Greens, and Captain Jacob Freyer, of the Montgomery Blues, both of Falkner Swamp, with all possible haste marched their men to Flourtown. Here they were incorporated into Colonel Humphrey's regiment of riflemen, of which Philip Boyer was major, after which they pushed on to Philadelphia, and thence to Camp Dupont, on the Delaware. On the 24th of December, 1814, they were mustered, inspected and dismissed. There was much suffering from cold experienced by the soldiers, who had left their homes in warm weather and had not been supplied with winter clothing. Among those from Frederick Township were the following in Captain Freyer's company: Jacob Bartman Samuel Detwiler Conrad Dotterer John Dotterer, Samuel Eterline (bugler) John Gougler George Hauck Jacob Hunsberger Lewis Jones Leonard Schuler Henry Yost John Yost Peter Yost. WAR OF THE REBELLION. -During, the late civil war, 1861-65, the following Frederick Township men volunteered their service, to the United States government. Henry S. Acker John C. Anderson Daniel Bardman Jacob Batzel Abraham Bergey John Berry Jones Boyer Peter S. Boyer Jacob W. Dechant Henry Edelman Aaron Faust John E. Faust Mahlon Faust Isaac Freese Leopold Gastinger Jacob S. Gross John W. Hauck Nathan B. Hauck Abraham Herman Mahlon Herpel Henry G. Hunter John Huzzard Jacob Johnson Edward Kepp Adam N. Keyser Jesse N. Keyser Milton Krause Samuel Leidig Albert S. Leidig George Mack Jacob W. Markley George Meng Adam Moyer Augustus G. Neiffer John G. Neiffer John Neiman Samuel E. Nyce John Poh Daniel Pool John Pool John Reiter Dr. R. B. Rhoades (surgeon) Oliver Roshong. Henry Sassaman Jacob Sassaman Samuel Schlotterer David Scholl J. J. Scholl Franklin Schuler John K. Schwenk John Sloop Jacob Smith William Stuckey Henry Styer Harrison Weand Jacob Weise Adam Wensel Leopold Wetzel Aaron Wick Christian Wick Jesse Willauer. HENRY ANTES. -One of the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania, who wielded an influence -and wielded it for good- in the affairs of the colony during the thirty years between 1725 and 1755, the story of whose life is little known, was Henry Antes. He was the son of Frederick and Anna Catherine Antes, and was born in Europe in 1701. The earliest record found concerning the Anteses in this country is a deed, dated the 20th of February, 1723, for one hundred and fifty-four acres of land in Philadelphia County, purchased by Frederick Anttos, of Germantown, from Henerick Van Bebber, described as part of the "tract of twenty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres in Mahanitina," in the present township of New Hanover. Frederick Antes died in the latter part of the year 1746, leaving a wife and two children the son, Henry, and a daughter named Ann Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Eschbach. It is believed that Henry Antes was born in Freinsheim, a town of two thousand inhabitants, in Rhenish Bavaria. On the 2d of February 1726, after three regular notices given, Henry Antes and Christiana Elizabetha, daughter of William Dewees, were married at Whitemarsh by John Philip Boehm, pastor of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania. The precise date at which Antes took up his residence in Frederick is not known. On the 2d of February, 1730, he is described as a resident of Hanover township, the name at that time sometimes applied to the territory afterwards erected into Frederick, as well as to the Frankfort Land Company's tract. Previous to this he, with his father-in-law, had built a grist-mill and paper-mill at Crefeld, Germantown. In 1730 he was naturalized. On the 2d day of September, 1735, Henry Antes, of Frederick township, millwright, bought of John Hagerman, of Lancaster County, weaver, one hundred and seventy-five acres of land "near the branches of the Perkeawming," in Frederick township, paving therefor two hundred pounds, lawful money of the province bounded by lands of William Frey and Henry Stadler, land late of Andrew Frey and vacant lands. Upon this tract Mr. Antes resided during the remainder of his life, except when temporarily called away. Upon this property, the same year, he built, in partnership with George Heebner, a grist-mill. This grist-mill, located on Swamp Creek, was the first in this neighborhood. Prior to its erection the primitive settlers were obliged to send their grain to the Wissahickon to be ground. A tradition, handed down from one of the first settlers here, avers that it was customary to send the Indians of the locality to Nissahickon distant twenty-five miles, to mill. They would start on the journey in the evening and return the net day, bringing the flour in exchange for the grain. For this service a small quantity of tobacco or some other slight compensation was given. By virtue of a warrant dated March 25, 1741, a tract of ninety-six and three-quarters acres of and in that portion of Limerick township, now included in New Hanover, was surveyed to Henry Antes. These transactions show the activity of Mr. Antes during the early years of his manhood. He was a man of tall stature and strong physique. "He was remarkable," says one of his descendants, "for being in appearance and dress an enormous Dutch farmer, and in language and manners a courtier of the ancient regime." He was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. He explored the wilderness, and acquainted himself with the streams and the character of the country. He knew the paths and Indian trails, of interior Pennsylvania. The Indians themselves were his neighbors, and he learned their habits and peculiarities. He was adept in woodcraft, understood the varieties of soil, knew the value of watercourses and how to utilize them, instructed the newcomers from Europe how to "clear" their lands, and pointed out to them the springs beside which to build their rude habitations, on a site sheltered by a knoll from the bitter blasts of winter. His services were called into requisition in the selection of lands, the negotiation of purchases, the drawing of wills and the settling of estates. His prudence and integrity in the performance of duties requiring acquaintance with legal formalities and knowledge of financial matters, were recognized throughout the length and breadth of the then limited bounds of the inhabited parts of the province. In matters of religion he displayed the same activity and earnestness that marked his business habits. He was a man of decided convictions and sincere piety, and lie was in earnest supporter of the movements of his time for the advancement or the Christian region. He had received careful training in youth in Europe. Mr. Boehm, in 1742 wrote: "Under the clear light of the Gospel was he born, holy baptism did he receive, through which he entered the covenant which He has made for the faithful; this covenant, I doubt not, was explained according to the word of God (for I knew his zealous and faithful instructor well) at his first participation in the Holy Communion." In the Spring of 1736 he became acquainted with Spangenberg, founder of the Moravian Church in America, who was sojourning among the Schwenkfelders in Skippack. The friendship between him and the mild and godly Spangenberg endured to the end of their lives. Antes, John Bechtel, Adam Gruber, Stieffel and others were in the habit of going, once in four weeks, on a visit to Spangenberg, who made his home with Christopher Wiegner, and there they "enjoyed many blessed hours together." 847 "Although but a layman," says another writer concerning Antes, "he undertook to instruct his fellow countrymen in the province in the way of life, calling them together in their houses for singing, for prayer, for reading the Scriptures and for exhortation. Thus, we find him employed in the populous district of Oley as early as 1736." His home was made a centre for religious efforts. On the 24th of April, 1740, Whitefield preached here in England. [sic] Rev. Dr. Dubbs places Antes before us in this connection thus: "He stood by the side of Whitfield, And prayed in the German tongue When the clarion voice of the preacher O're the hills, of Frederick rung. They knew not each other's language Nor did they need it then; For the one cried, Hallelujah! And the other said, Amen!" On the following day, April 25th, Bohler and Seyffert, of the Moravians, with Henry Antes as guide, started from Antes' house to view a tract of five thousand acres of land in the Forks of the Delaware, which Whitefield had purchased one time before, and which the Moravians afterwards bought and settled upon. On Saturday, April 26th, the three explorers found themselves at an extensive Indian village, upon the spot where Nazareth now stands, and spent the night there in the woods. From this time forward Antes was closely identified with the Moravians in their spiritual and temporal affairs. Up to 1740 he continued a member of the Falkner Swamp Reformed Church in the charge of Rev. Mr. Boehm. At this time a difference arose between pastor and parishioner which resulted in alienation. In 1741, Antes became acquainted with Count Zinzendorf, whose labors are referred to in another portion of this article. In 1742, Antes assisted the Moravians in building the first large house, called the " Gemein-Haus," in Bethlehem. It was built of logs. " Not only," says one of the brethren, "did he aid them with his own hands upon this house, but also with money and advice." He also assisted in building the grist-mills in and about Bethlehem, the grist-mill at Friedensthal and the grist and saw-mill at Gnadenhhuetten. The colony of Moravian immigrants who came in the "Catherine" arrived at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick, towards evening on the 19th of July, 1742, and lodged there that night. This company numbered fifty-six souls. In November, 1744, Henry Antes presided at a Synod of the Moravian brethren, held in what is now North Heidelberg Township. On the 21st of March, 1745, he attended a large church council at Muddy Creek. The second week in March 1745, the Moravian Synod was in session at his house in Frederick. At this meeting the arrangements were made for establishing a boarding-school for boys (described elsewhere) on the plantation of Antes. He now moved to Bethlehem with his family, excepting two sons, who remained at the school. December 15, 1745, he was appointed a justice of the peace for Bucks County, and under date of June 30, 1749, he was reappointed to the same office in the same county. He was sent, in 1746, as a deputy from Bethlehem, at the demand of the government, to be publicly examined in regard to an accusation made against the Brethren to the effect that they had three thousand stand of arms for the use of the Indians who should join the French in making in roads into Pennsylvania. The examination resulted in proving the entire innocence of the accused. On the 18th of February, 1748, the proprietaries granted to Henry Antes, Esq., for the use of the Brethren, license to construct a ferry, for a period of seven years, over the West Branch of the river Delaware, on the high road leading from Philadelphia to the Minisinks, and from thence to the northwest part of the province New York. On the 27th of October, 1748, he was appointed business manager of the Moravian brethren at Bethlehem, taking the legal care of the community's property and outward temporal affairs. In April, 1750, the Moravians at Bethlehem introduced the wearing of the white surplice by the minister at the celebration of the Eucharist. Antes disapproved of this, and in consequence withdrew from their communion. "This unhappy circumstance, "say Henry Harbaugh, "grieved the Brethren, because they esteemed him highly for his practical Christianity and many offices of love in their behalf. And he himself was not slow to lament the estrangement, while both parties adhered to their respective views." Prompted by this occurrence, Mr. Antes, in 1750 upon the removal of the school from his property, returned to Frederick Township. He permitted those of his children that preferred to do so to remain with the Brethren, while the others of his family returned to the Reformed Church. Whether Mr. Antes himself renewed his connection with the church of his youth is uncertain. On the 25th of May 1752, Henry Antes was appointed I justice of the peace in Philadelphia County, of which Frederick Township was then a part. Towards the close of the year 1752 the Moravians desired Antes to accompany Spangenberg and others to make a journey to North Carolina to elect and have surveyed a large tract which they had bought for the purpose of settling a colony there. A messenger was sent to Antes to extend an invitation to him to accompany the party. This incident, as described by John Antes, shows the resolute character of his father: "When the messenger arrived at my father's house and learned he was sick and that doubts were entertained of his recovery, he did not think it proper to extend this invitation to him and accordingly returned. My father, however who had been appraised of the arrival of a stranger, inquired particularly about him, as soon as he learned his business he dispatched my eldest brother after him with a request to come back. No sooner had he learned of the invitation than he resolved, without hesitation to comply with it, and from that moment his health improved so rapidly that he was soon enabled to carry into effect his resolution." In 1754 the German settlers of Pennsylvania were accused of disloyalty to the King of Great Britain and of sympathy with the French. On the 20th of November, 1754, the principal German Protestants of the province addressed a letter to the Hon. Robert Hunter Morris, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, affirming their fidelity to the British sovereign. The signers from Frederick township were Henry Antes George Huebner Philip Leydich Antes, who knew the Germans of Pennsylvania better than any other living man, felt keenly the injustice of the accusation and the cowardice of the attack upon the honor of this faithful people, who, by reason of their alien language and social disadvantages, were almost defenseless. To vindicate more thoroughly his countrymen, he wrote a letter to Richard Peters, secretary of the province, making suggestions, viz.: "Sir, -We have considered further concerning out address to his Hon. Robert Hunter Morris. That as there is a great number of Germans all over ye province of Pensilvania, which might perhaps not have heard nor intended any thing, neither of the late accusation against the said Nation in general, and may be less of our late address to his Honor ye Governor concerning ye same, and for ye more satisfaction to them all which is ignorant in it, we thought it proper to put it in public print, both in English and Dutch; if his Honor ye Governor has not already put the copy to the press, and therefore hope his Honor will not take it amiss; because it only to that Intent that out Protestant Country people might see all out reason and motive to out actions; Especially in ye Cutch Copy we Intent to make a short introduction to show them both our concern as also to remind them of their Loyal duty to the Crown of Great Britain, as likewise his Honor's answer to ye sd address, of which I send you by this ye copy to correct; pray do not take it amiss as: you have been present you are most able to add where I have omitted, and alter where I might not have used the same expressions his Honor make to the said Address. I should have nothing against it if his Honor ye Governour should see his own ans. as much as I could remember thereof, and so send i back to Mr. Keply, in Philadelphia, who is desired to forward ye same to print. And with this I remain with many salutations, "Sir, your Humble Servant, "HENRY ANTES. "Frederick Township, December ye 24th, 1754." We come now to the close of this great-hearted man's busy life. The hardships endured in the overland journey to North Carolina and the explorations there, as also an injury received whilst superintending the building of the mill at Friedenthal, near Nazareth, contributed to his decline. He was in an enfeebled state of health until Sunday, the 20th day of July, 1755, when death happily relieved him of his sufferings. The death of a man so generally known and so highly esteemed throughout Pennsylvania produced a deep impression. The news of his death was conveyed the same day to Bethlehem, and after dinner Bishop Spangenberg and wife, Rev. Abraham Reinecke, Rev. John Bechtel, Rev. Matthew Shropp and eight others set out for Frederick township, with three children of the deceased, who were attending school there. On the following day, at the funeral services, Bishop Spangenberg delivered an address, Rev. Mr. Reinecke read the Moravian burial service, and ten pall-bearers from Bethlehem carried the remains of "the pious layman of Frederick township" to their resting-place in the family graveyard on the farm, close by those of his father. Over six hundred persons attended the solemn services. His grave is marked by a stone of blue marble, bearing these words: "Heir Ruhet HEINRICH ANTES: Ein Kleinod dieses Landes Ein redlich kuehner Handhaber der Gerechtigkeit und treuer Diener Vor Welt-und Gottes Leut, _____^_____ ( ) Eutschlief In Friedrichs-Town den 20 Julii, 1755 Seines Alters 54 Jahre. In his will, written by his own hand on the 20th of July, 1754, precisely one year before his death, is this provision: "I give fiffty Pounds, Pennsylvania money, unto Abraham Bemper, Timothy Horsefield, or their Succeeding Committees for the Furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to ye use of the Indian Brethren at Guadenhuetten or Elsewhere under The Cares of Unitas fratrum, now in Bethlehem in Pennsylvania." Spangenberg speaks of Antes as "a man well acquainted with all the circumstances of the country, being, widely and favorably known, and enjoying the confidence and love of many souls." Boehm, in the heat of controversy, said: "He knows full well how our hearts were formerly bound together in a cordial love for the divine truth of our Reformed teachings." John Antes, his son, after his return from Africa, wrote of his father: "He was beloved and esteemed in the whole neighborhood on account of his uprightness and impartiality, by which, both as a citizen and a justice of the peace, he was characterized." Christopher Saur, the editor of the widely-read Germantown newspaper, in the issue of the 16th of May, 1756, said of Antes: "He died in a state of impartiality (Unpartheyklichkeit) towards all men and parties. Were such magistrates more numerous, the poor would not have reason to complain and weep over grievous injustice, which they have to suffer because persons are favored." 848 In the wilds of North Carolina Antes suffered great deal from a wound in the hand, which he received in cutting tent-poles. The hardships and dangers encountered by the party in the undertaking are described in the "Life of Spangenberg." In the spring of 1753 Antes was enabled to return home, but from that time he was often attacked with disease. In 1754, when the movement by the London Society to introduce English schools among the Germans was set on foot, the philanthopic heart of Antes was at once enlisted in its favor. Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, in a letter addressed to Rev. William Smith, giving an account of the meeting held at New Hanover respecting the proposed schools, says,- I delivered . . . all your other papers into the hands of Henry Antes, Esq., being a man of great reputation and influence was attentively heard which he explained the same to the people. After conferring a little together, they (the Reformed) all melted at once into tears of joy, uttered many thankful expressions, and agreed in Christian harmony in the choice of our Lutheran school-house, and offered also their own school-house, which is only about sixty poles distant." 849 Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D.D., writes: "He loved the Church of his fathers, And over the stormy sea He had borne as a precious treasure Their faith to the land of the free; But the flock was without a shepherd, And many had gone asleep, So he lifted his voice like a trumpet To gather the scattered sheep." He was a man peculiarly useful in his day and generation. He was a skillful mechanic, a capable builder and an intelligent projector of enterprises and improvements, such as were adapted to the wants of the times in which he lived. The trusts confided to his care were faithfully executed. As a magistrate he commanded universal respect. He was earnest and diligent in the things that engaged his attention; unassuming, yet boldly outspoken when occasion demanded; straightforward and sincere in every act. His opponents never questioned his integrity and purity of motive. His character comes down to us without a stain. He was a just man and "walked with God" all his days. At the time of his death Mr. Antes owned the farm and mill property of one hundred and seventy-five acres upon which he lived, a tract of about ninety-six acres of woodland in Limerick (now in New Hanover) township, a plantation of one hundred and fifty-six acres in New Hanover Township inherited from his father, a tract in North Carolina and a large personal estate. The children of Henry Antes and Christiana, his wife, were Anna Catharina, born November 20, 1726 Anna Margaretta, born October 6, 1728 Philip Frederick, born July 5, 1730 William, born November 21, 1731 Elizabeth, born February 10, 1734 John Henry, born October 5, 1736 Jacob, born September 19, 1738, and died June 6, 1739 John, born March 18, 1740 Mary Magdalene, born October 28, 1742 Joseph, born January 8, 1745, and died August 16, 1746, at Bethlehem Benigna, born September 16, 1748, and died, in Bethlehem, December 24, 1760. His widow, Christiana Antes, in 1757, was united in marriage to Bernhard Dodderer, of New Hanover township, who died the year following. She died on the 5th of October, 1782, in Northumberland County, at the age of about eighty. Anna Catharina Antes was married four times. Her first husband was Joh. Martin Kalberlahn, to whom she was united July 29, 1758 second, Gottlieb Reuter third, Rev. John Caspar Heinzman fourth, Rev. John Jacob Ernst. In 1809 she resided in Bethanara, N. C. Anna Margaretta Antes was partly educated at Bethlehem. On January 9, 1743, she was one of the company of Moravians who sailed in the ship "Jacob" from New York for England, having been sent to complete her education at a school of the United Brethren in London. Here she met and married, in 1796, Rev. Benjamin La Trobe. Their children were Christian Ignatius, author of a "Journal of a Visit to South Africa in 1815 and 1816," a work of four hundred pages, published in London in 1818; Benjamin Henry, who came, in 1795, to the United States, achieved a brilliant career as an architect and civil engineer, and was the father of Hon. John H. B. Latrobe and Benjamin H. B. Latrobe, eminent citizens of Baltimore; John Frederick, who took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Jena, and established himself at Dorpat, in Livonia, Russia; and a daughter who married ____ Foster. William Antes married Christiana, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Markley, of Skippack and Perkiomen Township. Their children were John Christina, married Jacob Markley and listed in Northumberland County Elizabeth, born February 17, 1757, and married, April 4, 1775 John Shuler Sarah born October 12, 1762, and married Samuel Gardner Mary, born August 17, 1768 William March 15, 1776, and died at Canandaigua, December 21, 1841 William Antes was a sub-lieutenant of Philadelphia County during the Revolutionary war. After the war he settled in Northumberland County, and held offices of responsibility there. Elizabeth Antes was married (first) to George Philip Dotterer, of Frederick Township. Their children were Benigna, born February 17, 1753, married John Yost Anna, born December 21, 1756, married John Bernhardt and died August 21, 1837 Elizabeth, born May 7, 1759, married Henry Dukehart, and died September 24, 1840, at Baltimore Henry, born July 25,1762, married Anna Davis, of Limerick township, and died April 28, 1936, in Camden County, N. J Mary, born December 24, 1764, married George Freyer, and died August 25, 1856 Frederick, born September 13, 1769, and died in Limerick township December 23, 1829 George Philip Dotterer carried on the business of inn-keeper in Limerick township. He died August 23, 1771. His widow was married, on the 23d of April, 1772, to Rev. Nicholas Pomp, a minister of the German Reformed Church. They had one child, -Thomas, born February 5, 1773, a prominent divine of the same denomination as his father. Elizabeth Pomp (maiden-name Antes) died May 20,1812, at Easton, Pa. John Henry Antes was married, May, 11, 1756, to Anna Maria Pawling. Their children were John Henry, born April 17, 1757 Maria, born July, 1758 Philip, born August 26,1759 Elizabeth, born December 7, 1761 Frederick, born July 19, 1764 Anna Maria, wife of John Henry Antes, died in March, 1767. He married, December 8, 1767, Sophia Snyder. Their children were John, born January 7, 1769 Mary Catharine, born September 30, 1772 Anna Maria, born March 6, 1775 William, born January 18, 1777 Jacob, born December 3, 1778 a daughter born August 21, 1781 Joseph, born March 16, 1785 Sophia, born March 20, 1790 John Henry Antes lived in Frederick until about the beginning of 1775, when he removed to Northumberland County. He was an Indian scout, captain of militia, Indian fighter, sheriff and mill-builder. He died at Antes' Fort on the 13th of July, 1820. Maria Magdalena Antes, ninth child of Henry Antes, married ____ Ebbing. She died at Herrnhut, Germany, April 17, 1811. 850 The Antes name we find, in the successive generations, ever in the van of enterprise. They are a race of builders; mechanism is their birthright. As we look upon the long line of honorable names; we find many of them to excel as engineers, architects, inventors and manufacturers; and when they turn from these pursuits to bear arms, to engage in the legal profession, or to assume the sacred office, they still hold a foremost position. When we contemplate the great number of the descendants of "the pious layman of Frederick township," scattered broadcast over the globe, the mind turns instinctively to the promise made to the patriarch of old: "I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee." ANDREW FREY in his day enacted a part in the early history of Pennsylvania which will preserve his name to the end. His conscientious nature and his devout piety qualities, which deserve and receive the esteem of all good men-were the occasion to him of great crosses and severe self-examination. With him, to do what was right was everything. His ingenuous heart could neither compromise nor temporize with wrong, if to his understanding it was wrong. And so his life, which might have been a smooth and uneventful one had he been more world-wise and less sincere, was marked by fierce controversies, long journeys and broken friendships "for conscience' sake." Andrew Frey was originally of the Dunker faith. He was never married, and he was not related to William Frey, who owned the property adjoining his in Frederick township. August 5, 1718, be bought from David Powell two hundred acres of land located in Frederick township. On May 1, 1728, he sold this to the following persons: Ludwig Engelbart, one hundred acres Henry Stadler, fifty acres George Grouse, seventy-two acres Christopher Sheagle, twenty-eight acres. In 1742, when the movement for church unity was inaugurated by Henry Antes, with the powerful support of Count Zinzendorf, Andrew Frey entered it with all the enthusiasm of his nature. In the second conference, held at the house of George Huebner, in Frederick township, on the 14th and 15th of January, 1742, he was a participant. He was also at the third conference, held at Oley on the 10th, 11th and 12th of February the same year, and was chosen (by lot) one of three presidents and directors of conferences. After this he was chosen, in the same year to be elder over the unmarried brethren. This required his removal to Bethlehem. He had some variance with the brethren in this position. He was next selected to go to Germany, which being a man well advanced in years, he felt disinclined to do; but his objections were overruled, and on the 9th of January, 1743, he sailed in the ship "Jacob" from New York for England, in a company composed of Count Zinzendorf himself, a daughter of Henry Antes, a daughter of William Frey and others of the society, which had now come to be regarded as a Moravian or Herrnhutter organization. In five weeks the ship reached London, a fortnight after the party came to Amsterdam, and three weeks afterwards to Herrndeik. The next went to Marienborn, whence, after a stay of four weeks, they proceeded into Saxony to Hirschberg, where they held conferences during nine days; and then to Herrnhut. The manner of life there did not commend itself to Andrew Frey's approval. What he saw and heard seemed to him irreligious and sinful. He says: "The other brethren and sisters which were come from Pennsylvania having once a love-feast, the count (Zinzendorf) told every one of them his thoughts of them, and when he came to me he said, 'Brother Andrew has, indeed, an open countenance; but, mark me, there is something amiss in his mind which hinders him having any settled quiet.'" At the end of three years he desired to return to Pennsylvania; twelve months later he came back. Of course he withdrew from the Moravian Society. This act caused widespread comment in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Much warm discussion ensued between the society and Andrew Frey and their respective friends. This resulted in the publication written by him in 1748, entitled, "Andreas Freyen (Pred. in Falkners Schwamm) seine Deklaration oder Erklarung, auf welche Weise und wie er unter die sogenannte Herrenhutergemeinde gekommen ist." This was issued from the press of Christopher Sauer, of Germantown, in a volume of eighty-eight pages 12mo. This book was translated into English and issued, in 1753, at London. As late as April 20, 1750, Andrew Frey published a lengthy communication in Sauer's Germantown paper contradicting a report, which had spread through the rural sections of Pennsylvania, that he had reunited with the Moravians and had recalled his book; and he took occasion in this article to reiterate the accusations as contained in the book. As giving as an insight into the manners of those times, the first paragraph of this communication is given herewith: "William Frey recently had business in Great Swamp, at several houses, with trustworthy people, who asked him seriously to tell them truly weather Andrew Frey had again united with the Moravians, and whether he had recalled his little book, the Declaration; for they had, in a roundabout way, heard this to be the fact; indeed, by the Moravanians themselves it had been said, Andrew Frey was their dear brother; they bore him great love. A teacher of the Mennonites told him, 'he had read my little book, and that proved by their life and conduct, what I wrote was true; and if I recall all this, he would regard me as a fickle, unworthy man; thus one does not know whom one may believe." 851 It is not desirable that the positions taken by the opposing parties in this controversy should be repeated here. The disputants have long since gone to their reward, and the subjects at issue are forgotten. Of the after-life of Andrew Frey nothing further is known. It is presumed that he was a preacher among the Dunkers, or German Baptists, the remainder of his days. He was far advanced in years and already weak in body when the events above narrated occurred and he probably died soon after. REV. JOHN PHILIP LEYDICH came to America in 1748. He was accompanied by his wife, Maria Catharina (maiden name Hammichhaus), his two children, Franz Leydich and Elizabeth Leydich, and by two sisters of his wife, one of whom afterwards married Caspar Achenbach, and the other Andreas Sassaman. Having been settled as pastor of the Falkner Swamp and affiliated Reformed congregations, Pastor Leydich at once looked about him for a suitable property for a home. On the 16th of October 1749, he bought of Conrad Frick, of Germantown, a tract of one hundred and five acres in Frederick Township. This was the tract bought, on May 1, 1728, by Ludwig Engelhard, of Andrew Frey, and sold by him, on November 2, 1748, to Conrad Frick. It was a suitable spot for the young minister's home, in the midst of his largest congregation, upon the banks of Swamp Creek. Mr. Leydich labored as pastor of this congregation until 1765, when he was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Pomp; but he lived here until the close of his life. A number of his descendants are residents of the township at this time. Rev. John Philip Leydich and Maria Catharine, his wife, had born to them the following children: Franz, born in Holland, March 26, 1745 Elizabeth, born in Holland, October 10, 1746, married Alexander Dieffenderffer Leonhard, married Catharine Nyce, daughter of Zacharias Nyce Philip, married Rosina Bucher, daughter of George Diedrich Bucher Maria Magdalena, married John Nyce Catharine born April, 1753, married Philip Miller, died, August, 1823 Sophia married Gabriel Schuler. Rev. Mr. Leydich and his wife are buried at Leidig's graveyard, in Frederick Township. The stone erected to mark his resting-place bears these words: "JOHANN PHILIP LEYDICH Reformierter Brediger war goboren, 1715, den 28 April, ist gestorben 14 January 1784, ist alt 69 yahr den 2 Tim. um 2 ten Cap. vers 3. Leide dich als ein guter Streiter Jesu Christi." COLONEL PHILIP FREDERICK ANTES, son of Henry and Christiana Antes, was born in Frederick township on the 5th of July, 1730. He was united in marriage, May 1, 1755, to Barbara Tyson. Their children were Christina Elizabetha, born January 22, 1757, and died October 13, 1763 Anna-Maria, born February 14, 1760, married Christopher Dering, and died November 22, 1822, in Northumberland County, Pa. a son, born October 25, 1762 John Henry, born February 13, 1766. Barbara, wife of Frederick Antes, died February 6, 1775. He married, on the 17th of August, 1775, Catharine Schuler, and they had one child, Catharine, born July 3, 1777, who became, on July 12, 1796, the second wife of Simon Snyder, afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania. November 19, 1764, Frederick Antes was appointed a justice of the peace for Philadelphia County, and May 23, 1770, and April 27, 1772, he was reappointed to the office. Upon the approach of the Revolutionary struggle, Frederick Antes, and his brothers William and John Henry, promptly took a firm and positive stand on the side of the colonies. Frederick Antes boldly proclaimed his devotion to the effort for the independence of his native country, and actively entered upon the performance of responsible and hazardous duties in connection with the inauguration and prosecution of the war. This required no small degree of courage and sacrifice on his behalf. He was a man of considerable property, and, moreover, he held the commission of an officer of the crown, -justice of the peace. These considerations, however, did not daunt him in his burning zeal for the cause of American liberty. The British commander, at an early stage of the war, laid a reward on his head, but though sometimes dangerously near to the emissaries of the King, Antes eluded them to the end. His conspicuous and outspoken position must have exercised a great influence upon the community in which he lived and held office, and history shows that that section of country was notably faithful to the cause of freedom during the long years of strife which ensued. Frederick Antes brought to this task rare qualifications, -ability and intelligence; the mechanical skill inherent in all of his name; high standing in the community and inflexible strength of charter; unflinching courage and enthusiastic, heroic patriotism. All these qualities at once had full play, but not alone in the limited field afforded by the neighborhood of his home. He was called into the counsels of the State and the country at large. Much that he did and that the most daring and effective--is doubtless unrecorded and buried in oblivion. As may be surmised, many delicate and dangerous services were rendered by him that required the utmost caution, sound judgement and profound secrecy. Of these we may never know. But of those of his public acts, notice of which is scattered through the pages of the records of our commonwealth, a brief summary is presented. On the 3d of February 1776, upon application of Mr. Antes, an order was granted to Mr. Towers to deliver to him six pounds of powder, to repay that quantity borrowed by him to prove a cannon made by himself and Mr. Pott at Warwick Furnace. 852 Under the date of 14th of August 1776, there was paid Frederick Antes twenty-five pounds for an experiment made on an eighteen-pounder cannon by agreement of the late Committee of Safety. He was appointed a member of the provincial conference of committees of the province of Pennsylvania held at Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, June 18-25, 1776. He attended the sessions. On Sunday June 23, 1776 he was appointed a judge of election in Philadelphia County, to be held on Monday, July 8, 1776, to elect representatives to the convention to form a new government for the province. He was returned by the judges of election as one of the members elected to the convention of the State of Pennsylvania, on July 15, 1776, the opening day of said convention. On Monday, August 15, 1776, he was appointed by the convention one of the committee to bring in an ordinance for regulating the militia of the State, so as to render the burdens and expenses of the associators and non- associators as nearly equal it possible. On Tuesday, September 3, 1776, in the forenoon, by ordinance of the convention of the State, he was appointed a justice of the peace for the county of Philadelphia. October 28, 1776, accounts were passed for blankets, attested by Frederick Antes, lieutenant- colonel of Colonel Potts' battalion, Philadelphia County militia, to be charged to the Flying Camp, -ฃ21 s78. 6d. Frederick Antes was a member of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth for th county of Philadelphia. This body met on Thursday, November 28, 1776. He was chairman for the committee on grievances. December 5, 1776, he was appointed chairman of a committee to bring in a draft of a militia law. On Tuesday, December 10, 1776, the House was requested to appoint a committee out of their body to join General Mifflin in a tour through the several counties in the State, in order to stir up the freemen thereof to the immediate defense of the city and country. On the next day Frederick Antes and Colonel Curry were appointed to accompany General Mifflin through the county of Philadelphia for the purpose stated. January 18, 1777, an order was made on Mr. Nesbitt to pay Lietenant-Colonel Frederick Antes, Third Battalion, Philadelphia County militia, forty-three pounds ten shillings for drum-major's and fife-major's wages. On Monday, March 3, 1777, Colonel Antes voted nay on the proposition "That the members of Assembly be exempted from military duty as militia." On Tuesday, March 4, 1777, he voted in favor of inserting the following words in the militia bill: "And no militia officer shall be required to take and subscribe an oath or affirmation at this time to qualify him to receive a commission to act in the character to which he shall be elected." On Thursday, May 29, 1777, in the afternoon was read in the Assembly a petition form officers and privates of Captain Reed's Company of Colonel Antes' battalion of Philadelphia County militia setting forth their opinion of the resolves of Congress of the 14th of April and of 9th of May. At Philadelphia, on the 11th of September, 1777, it was ordered that Colonel Hiester, Colonel Corsey, Colonel Antes and Colonel Dewees' respective battalions rendezvous at Swedes' Ford. On January 13, 1778, Colonel Budd attended and hinted to the Council that about five hundred arms for the service were sent to Colonel Antes; that arms generally suffer in removing for want of boxes. At Lancaster, April 1, 1778, an order was authorized in favor of Frederick Antes for fifteen hundred pounds to buy horses, at request of Congress committee. PICTURE OF RESIDENCE OF COLONEL FREDERICK ANTES, APPEARS HERE. A reward of two hundred pounds, set by Lord Howe, for Colonel Antes, dead or alive, induced a party of royalists to attempt his capture at one occasion, while he was visiting his home in Frederick township. It is related that he barely escaped by making good his retreat from the back-door as his pursuers entered at the front. On the 20th of March, 1777, Frederick Antes was one of the persons designated to sign the issue of two hundred thousand pounds or paper money, dated April 10, 1777. The authority to sign the notes issued by the. colonies was esteemed a high honor, and was sought by the best citizens. One of the biographers of Colonel Antes says, "He was an iron-founder, and cast the first four-pounder pieces made on this side of the Atlantic for the Revolutionary army." During the year 1779, Colonel Frederick Antes removed to Northumberland County. Although impoverished by the war he took at once a leading position in civil and military life in his new home. He was justice, county commissioner and Judge of the 853 Court of Common Pleas, a member of the State Assembly and county treasurer. In 1801, while acting as commissioner in exploration of the Susquehanna, Colonel Antes took cold at Columbia. He repaired to Lancaster, where he died September 20, 1801, and was buried in the churchyard of the German Reformed congregation. JOHN ANTES, TRAVELER, MISSIONARY AND AUTHOR. -On the 13th of March 1740, 0. S., was born to Henry and Christiana Antes, of Frederick township, a son whom they named John. At the age of six he became a pupil at the Moravian school established on his father's plantation. At twelve he went to live with the Moravian Brethren at Bethlehem. At seventeen he became a communicant member of their society. On the 6th of May, 1764, he set out from Bethlehem for Europe, and on the 5th of July he arrived at Marienborn, where a synodical convention was then in session. He proceeded to Herrnhut, where the arrived on the 5th of September. A year later the went to Neuwied to learn the jewelry business under a celebrated master of the art, and having a great aptitude for mechanical pursuits, made satisfactory progress. On the 16th of January, 1769, he received a call to Grand Cairo, Egypt, to the Moravian mission established there. After receiving ordination as a deacon, at Marienborn, on the 23d of May, he proceeded on the journey, going first to London. He took passage here on the 3d of October, for the Isle of Cyprus and reached Larnica on the 24th of November. On the 1st of January, 1770, the left Larnica for Limasol, sixty miles distant, making the journey on a mule, with a Greek guide, and encountered a series of misfortunes on the way. On the 8th of January they reached Alexandria. On the 10th of February they reached Boulac, the harbor of Grand Cairo, where he was received by the Moravian missionaries in the most friendly manner. His duties here were to make himself "useful to the brethren in whatever might be deemed necessary for the furtherance of their holy enterprise, and to contribute towards their support through the means of his mechanical labor." In the beginning of 1773 the disorders which prevailed in Cairo were so great that Europeans dared not venture into the streets without running risk of insult. Antes was doomed to the outrage of flagellation in the streets. On the 23d of August, the visited Behneshe, where a friendship had previously been established with the Copts. Six weeks later the returned to Cairo. On the 15th of November, 1779, the fell into the hands of one of the Beys, and suffered the tortures of the bastinado. In August, 1781, he was recalled from Egypt, and on the 20th of May, following he reached Herrnhut, and during the summer he attended the Synod at Berthelsdorf, in Saxony. In 1785 the received a call as warden of the congregation at Fulnee, in England. In June, 1786, he entered into holy matrimony with Susanna Crabtree. In 1801 he visited Herrnhut. A diminution of strength induced him, in 1808, to ask for a dismissal from his post, which was granted, and he selected Bristol for his future abode. He departed this life, after a short illness, without any symptom of pain or death struggle, on the 11th of December, 1811. In 1800, was issued at London a work by Mr. Antes entitled "Observations in the Manners and Customs of the Egyptians, the Overflowing of the Nile and its Effects; with Remarks on the Plague and other Subjects." It was a quarto and attracted great attention at the time. He also wrote his "Autobiography," which was first published in German by the society of which the was a member, and was afterwards translated into English. Mr. Bruce, the celebrated traveler, in his great work, speaks of the services rendered him by Mr. Antes, at Cairo, in these words: "This very worthy and sagacious young man was often my unwearied and useful partner in many inquiries and trials as to the manner of executing some instruments in the most compendious form, for experiments proposed to be made in my travels." It is stated that on the appearance of Lord Valentia's "Travels" in which the veracity of Bruce was questioned, Antes wrote a vindication of the latter's character and statements. End