Local History: XLVII - Lower Saucon, Bethlehem, Allen, and East Allen Townships : Davis's 1877 History of Northampton Co, PA

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                                  HISTORY

                                    OF

                       NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


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232 (cont.)

                        LOWER SAUCON TOWNSHIP-(1743)
                              BY J.S. HESS, ESQ.

  THIS township is situated in the rich and fertile valley of the 
Saucon. It is bounded on the north by the Lehigh River, which separates it 
front the township of Bethlehem; on the east by Williams township; on the 
southeast by Bucks county, and on the southwest and west by Lehigh county.
The soil is chiefly limestone. Its rich and fruitful fields are watered by 
the Saucon and the brooks that constitute its tributaries. It was 
originally an agricultural community, but the manufacture of pig-iron has 
become so general in the Lehigh Valley, that even the Saucon, which is but 
a branch of it, has been summoned to dislodge the iron from her bowels. Her 
rich farmers, loath as they were at first to disfigure their fair fields 
with the debris of mines, have yielded to the enterprising miner, who has 
left no stone unturned in his search after deposits of iron ore.  No less 
than thirteen stacks are found to-day in what was originally Lower Saucon 
township, five in South Bethlehem, two at Hellertown, two in Redington, 
one at Bingen; and one in Shimersville, and when all are in blast the whole 
valley is illuminated by their light on the darkest nights.

  This township was originally bounded on the north by the Lehigh River,
on the east by Williams township. On the southeast by Bucks county. On the
southwest by Upper Saucon, Lehigh county, and on the west by Salisbury,
Lehigh county.

  The Borough of South Bethlehem. On the northwest, was detached from it in 
1865, and Hellertown, in the centre, was incorporated in 1872. The name 
Saucon is supposed by some to be derived from the Indian
name "Sakunk"-at the place of the creek's mouth. This is the more probable, 
because there was an Indian village it the mouth of the Saucon, at
Shimersville, and the first settlers may have understood the Indians to 
mean the name of the creek by "Sakunk".

  Almost every hill and dale in the township has its specific name, which 
it received from the German settlers. 

  The "Swoveberg" -in the eastern part of it, was so-called from the fact that 
the early settlers of it came originally from Suabia, in Germany.

  The "Kohl-berg," in the southeastern part, was so-called because of the 
large amount of charcoal prepared there in the early days of the Durham 
Iron Works. The derivation of the name of the hill in the southern part  
"Grubbsberg," is unknown. 

  The Lehigh Mountain is in the northern part and runs along the Lehigh. 
The "Schnippe Thal," is the name of a little dale in the southeastern part 
of the township, so-called because of the snipes that frequented the brook 
that flows through it. 

  "Spring Valley" is the name of a place below Bingen in the southwestern 
part, named after its clear crystal springs. "

  "Wassergass," is the name of the road leading from Hellertown in an 
easterly direction towards the Delaware. It received its name from the 
springy nature of the land near Ironville, this side of the " Swoveberg."

  The "Latwerg-strasse" in the northeastern part of the township, leading 
from Shimersville, must, from the meaning of the word, have received its 
name from the fact that a large amount of apple-butter was boiled in that 
vicinity. Apple-butter is still furnished to townspeople by our farmers.

  The following incident by the way: A Pennsylvania German farmer, from 
Lower Saucon, whose knowledge in the English language was very limited, 
went to Easton one day with a quantity of apple-butter (Latwerg).

  He was asked the price of apple-butter a number of times but he always 
shook his head. A Pennsylvania German neighbor of his, who was better 
informed, told him that apple-butter was latwerg. "What, said he, in his 
own dialect, however, "latwerg-apple-butter-apple butter-latwerg-what a 
language; if they wanted latwerg, why didn't they say so."


233


  The Saucon Creek was once filled with eels, suckers, and trout, but the 
last have become almost extinct since its water has been changed from clear 
crystal to a dingy yellow, by the water used in washing ore.  The disciples 
of old Izaak Welton must seek their pleasure elsewhere. The creek affords 
many fine mill sites, there being no less than seven grist-mills and four 
sawmill, on it in Lower Saucon alone. After, the large engine was erected 
at the Friedensville zinc mines there was a steady flow of water all the 
year around, not disturbed by drouth, but after that ceased to run, the 
water supply for the mills was scant until after the water had returned to 
it-, old courses, and the opening that had been dry for many years again 
began to flow.

  Lower Saucon was settled by the whites in the beginning of the eighteenth 
century. Those who first took up land along the Lehigh in Lower Saucon, 
were Wm. Allen, Nathaniel Irish and I. M. Ysselstein. The three tracts were 
situated fit what are now Fountain Hill, South Bethlehem, and Shimersville. 
An old draft,, in the hands of Mr. Fatzinger, speaks of two tracts 
belonging to Nathaniel Irish, one of two hundred and ninety acres, and 
another of five hundred acres, warrant dated, February 27th, 1737.

  Ysselstein built a hut about a mile below Bethlehem. It was washed away 
by a freshet in 1739. He employed his time in fishing and hooting. He 
requested his body to be buried on his own land, and after his death, which 
occurred July 26th, 1742, his last remains were placed in a grave near the 
house, lately the property of Jesse Getter, south of the North Penn. 
Railroad track.

  Nothing remains to mark the spot where rest the mortal remains of the 
pioneer of old Saucon. The Germans came flocking in soon after, for we find 
they had German Reformed services in all old (probably in a log) church 
before 1739 in Saucon, and the records of the Saucon Church, which begin in 
1756, speak of the pastors who presided there since the erection of the 
Stone Church in 1751.

  Nathaniel Irish is supposed to have built a mill in the mouth of the
Saucon as early as 1738. In 1743, the Moravians, who had come to Bethlehem, 
petitioned for a wagon road from Bethlehem to the mill He sold
part of the tract to George Cruikshank in 1743.

  Nathaniel Irish had been a Justice of the Peace. George Cruikshank was a 
man of some attainments and figured prominently in the township noting this 
early period.

  The Cruikshanks were a noted family in their day; they came from the 
Island of Montserrat, where they retained considerable property.  The 
father of George was Rev. James Cruikshank, a Lutheran clergyman, who died 
about 1725. 

  George Cruikshank died in 1746. He had but two children a son, Dr. James 
Cruikshank. And a daughter, who became the wife of John Currie, a lawyer, 
from Reading. Currie soon retired from the bar, and took up his residence 
on the Cruikshank lands, in what is now, Shimersville, 1 and occupied the 
house where John Knecht now lives. He had but few children. His daughter- 
Frances was the wife of Freeman Thomas, who became all active coal operator 
at Plymouth, Luzerne county as early as, 1811.

  Dr. James Cruikshank, son of George, and brother of Mrs. Currie, died at 
Bethlehem in 1805, leaving no issue, and the family name is now extinct. 
His wife, Agnes, became an inmate of the Sisters House after his death.

  He (Dr. Cruikshank), about the year 1784, sold three large farms to 
Dr. Felix Lynn, for about $10,000. These farms laid near the intersection 
of the Shimersvilie and Bethlehem roads, at Iron Hill. 

  Dr. Lynn, the purchaser, was the oldest son of Peter Lynn, who emigrated to 
this country from Hanau, Germany, in 1734, and settled with his 
father-in-law, Felix Brunner, in what is now the upper part of Montgomery 
county; but subsequently settled permanently in Upper Milford, then Bucks, 
county, where Felix was born, in 1740. Peter died in 1761. 

  Dr. Felix Lynn was the only physician in the neighborhood where he lived, 
and had a large and lucrative business. He practiced medicine in Upper 
Saucon for some years, before moving to Lower Saucon, in 1784. He died in 1809.

  He had three sons: 

Dr. George Felix, who is buried at Bloomsburg, Pa.
Peter, in Saucon
Jonathan, in Newport, Luzerne county

Lynn township, in Lehigh county, was named for Peter Lynn, the elder.

Saucon was erected a township of Bucks county in 1742. This originally 
included Upper Saucon, now in Lehigh county.


                    THE DIVISION OF THE TOWNSHIP
  Into Upper and Lower Saucon, was effected in 1743. At that time Lower
Saucon contained about two hundred inhabitants. The names of these who
petitioned for its erection into it separate township, were, as follows: 

George Hertzell
Henry Hertzell
Paul Frantz
Matthias Riegel
Christian Laubach
John Danishaus
Jacob Hertzell
Jacob Maurer
Matthias Menchner
Frederick Weber
Diter Klauss
Max Gumschaefer
Joerg Freimann
Rudolph Orwerle
George Peter Knecht
Michael Lintz
Peter Risser
Joel Arminer
Rudolph Illig.

  On the twenty-fifth day of May, 1737, a warrant of survey for two 
hundred acres along the Saucon Creek, was granted by the Proprietaries to 
Henry Goetsehey, but he having failed to comply with the conditions, a deed 
was executed to Christian Beitler, by John, Thomas, and Richard Penn, dated
July 23d, 1744.

  On the twentieth of June, 1751, the same property was conveyed by 
Christian Beitler to Christian Bachman. Christian Bachman was a miller, 
(This is the mill property now belonging to Ehrhart & Bro.)
 
He was the ancestor of the Bachmans, in this vicinity. He had ten children:

Abraham
John
George
Henry
Mary (wife of Christian Schick)
Christian
Jacob
Joseph
Solomon
David


  Rev. John Philip Boehm, who came from the Palatinate about 1710,
received two hundred acres from the Proprietaries in 1740, situate in Lower
Saucon township. He resided in Whitpain, Montgomery county, and deeded
this tract to his son, Anthony, in 1747. Although we find no reference to
Rev. Boehm in the church records of Saucon, it is known that he visited
various congregations of the Reformed Church in Eastern Pennsylvania, and
no doubt ministered sometimes to the people of Lower Saucon. We infer
this from his warm polemics with the Moravians in the "Forks of the Delaware." 
His theological discussions with the Moravians were frequent and warm.

  One of the Moravians, Mr. Neisser, calls him "Der veiche Plantagemann," 
because of his wealth. He secured land cheap, and died a very rich
man. He died May 1st, 1749, and was, buried near what is called Boehm's
Church, in Montgomery county.

  Anthony settled on the tract, and is the ancestor of the Boehms of Lower 
Saucon. He had four sons and four daughters:

Anthony
Philip
John
David
Anna Maria Catharine (Kraum)
Elizabeth (Miller)
Magdalene (Haas)
Susan (Ochs)

  Christopher Wagner, the ancestor of, the Wagners of Saucon, came across 
from Rotterdam, in the same ship with the Hellers (see Hellertown) and 
arrived in Philadelphia, September 5th, 1738. He was a prominent citizen of 
Lower Saucon, and filled the office of Justice, of the Peace a number of 
years. He received a deed from Thomas and Richard Penn, 
February 12th, 1752, of a small tract but, he afterwards became quite a 
large landholder. 

  He was captain of a company of militia that went to Trenton in 1776, he, 
had four children, two of whom, Abraham and John, died without heirs. 
Maria was married to John Appel
Jacob was the father of 
John
Charles
Abraham
Elizabeth (wife of J. O. Pearson)
Mary (the wife, of Jacob Boehm)
Catharine (wife of John Stabler)
Sarah (wife of Samuel Lerch)

  John Adam Schaus, the ancestor of the Schauses, of Easton, came across in 
the ship Harle, from Rotterdam. He arrived September 29th, 1736. He 
immigrated from the Palatinate, and settled first in Falkner's Swamp, 
Montgomery county, whence he came to Lower Saucon township, and opened the 
first tavern on the Lehigh. He was a millwright, and assisted in building 
the grist-mill in Bethlehem, in 1743. He first removed to Bethlehem, and 
then to Easton.

  Peter Appel, the ancestor of the Appel family in this and, adjoining 
counties, was a Palatine, who arrived September 29th, 1733, in the ship 
Pink Mary, from Rotterdam. 

  He brought two sons-
Philip
John and 
one daughter. 
Philip and his sister died without issue. 

John purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land in Lower Saucon, near 
what is called the Appel's Church. He also had two large tracts in Bucks 
county. He was born May 18th, 1726, and died September 1st, 1805. 

He had five sons-

Paul
John
Martin
Andrew
Philip. 

Paul had six children, the most prominent of whom was Andrew Appel, he was 
a lieutenant of a company that went to Marcus Hook in 1814. He filled the 
following offices in Bucks county: 
County Commissioner
Treasurer
Director of the Poor
two terms as Associate Judge

  He died at Leithsville, Northampton county, at the house of his 
son-in-law, George Leith, November 20th, 1875, aged eighty-four. 

  His youngest son, Benjamin Franklin, is a minister of the Lutheran
Church, in Northampton county.

  John Appel, the brother of Paul, died at the residence of his 
son-in-law, Frederick Seitz, in Easton, in 1854. 

  Martin Appel, another brother, owned the property where the North Penn 
Iron Company's furnace is situated, and had a fulling-mill. He was the 
fraternal ancestor of the Detwiller family, a family prominent in the 
medical sphere. 
_____________________________________________________________________

1. He opened a ferry across the Lehigh, which preserved the name of 
Currie's ferry. The first bridge at this point was built across the Lehigh 
by Mr. Jarrett, in 1816.  Sullivan's army was conveyed across this ferry by 
Conrad Omensetter in 1779. He was allowed five shillings per day . As the 
ferry was Jacob Kolp's, and Omensetter was only a laborer, according to the 
tax-list, he may have been in Kolp's employ.


234


  Andrew, a fourth son of John, and brother of Paul, John, and Martin, was a 
farmer, who died in 1850. He was the ancestor of Professor Theodore Appel, 
of Franklin and Marshall College, and Professor Thomas G, Appel, of the 
Theological Seminary at Lancaster, both prominent ministers of the Reformed 
Church.

 Philip, the fifth son, died in Mount Bethel.

  Benjamin Riegel took up a tract of land, near Hellertown, in the year 1734. 
He had four sons-

Benjamin
Matthias
John
Jacob.

Benjamin is the ancestor of the family, at Riegelsville.
Matthias is the ancestor of quite a number who live in Saucon.
Jacob moved to Ohio.

 John had four sons-
John
Jacob
Benjamin
Samuel, and one daughter, who is the maternal ancestor of Samuel Adams, of 
the Bethlehem Iron Company, and John Adams, a prominent citizen of Saucon. 

John Riegel's sons
John
Jacob
Stephen, and 
Josiah, 
are prominent merchants of Philadelphia. 
Eliza, a daughter, is the wife of Charles Daniel, the pioneer of the slate 
business of this section of country
Maria, is the wife of Ashur Shimer, a son of General Shimer.
William and Joseph are well-to-do farmers, of Saucon
Samuel is a resident of Hellertown


  Among the other early settlers, whose descendants are still living here 
are the 

Webers
Bachmans
Beyers
Owerles
Lerchs
Laubachs
Kochs
Reisses
Ruchs
Knechts
Rothrocks 
Kaufmans

  The first public house of note in this section, was "The Crown." It was a 
white-oak log structure, 40 x 28, and stood on the site of the Union Depot, 
in South Bethlehem.

  The "Crown" stood on the land that was bought of William Allen, in 
February, 1743, and contained twelve hundred acres. In 1794, it was 
transformed into a farm-house, and when the Union Depot was erected, it was 
removed, and is now known as the Continental Hotel, South Bethlehem.

  The Crown was built in what is known as the Simpson tract. The original 
title reads thus: "Deed of William Penn, for five thousand acres, to 
William and Margaret Lother, October, 1681, to be laid out in Pennsylvania, 
in such place as should be agreed upon." On the death of her brother, 
Margaret inherited it, and sold it to Margaret Poor, who, with her husband, 
conveyed it to Joseph Stanwix, September 23d, 1731. The latter sold it in 
January, 1732, to John Simpson, of Tower Hill, London.

  The early settlers on the "Swoveberg," were principally weavers from 
Wurtemberg. They took their wool to Martin Appel, who was the proprietor of 
the first carding, fulling, and printing-mill, in this section, about two 
and a half miles below Hellertown. Prints and cloth were made here during 
the Revolutionary war. The business was carried on by Jacob G. Appel, until 
he sold his property to the North Penn Iron Company. Among the old families 
living on the hill, old looms can still be seen.

 Among the early settlers of the "Swoveberg," are the 

Christines
Reichards
Kunsmans
Zieners
Reisses
Wersts 
Wassers

  Reichard Freeman, the ancestor of the Freemans, of Freemansburg, settled in 
Lower Saucon, between Shimersville and Redington. He was born in Cecil 
county, Maryland, in 1717, and died in Saucon, in 1784.

  The Hess family were originally of Springfield, Bucks county. Nicholas 
Hess, the ancestor of the family, was born in Zweibrucken, Germany, in 
1723, and came to America in the ship Ranier, September 26th, 1749.

  He married Catharine Funk, of Springfield, and died in 1795, He had three 
sons, of whom John George, came to Lower Saucon, the latter part of the 
eighteenth century. He bought the mill now known as Hess mill on the Saucon. 

  He had six sons-Jacob, John, William, George, Joseph, and Samuel, and two 
daughters, Elizabeth and Catharine. The two daughters, are still living and 
are between eighty and ninety years of age. Of the sons, Joseph alone is living. 

  George was captain of a company that went out from Saucon, in 1814. Of his 
company, but one is left in Saucon, Joseph Leidich, aged eighty-five years. 
The Sunday previous to their departure, they assembled in church, and were 
addressed by the Rev. Pomp. George Hess was a Surveyor, and filled the 
offices of Recorder and Associate Judge.

  Samuel Hess was a minister of the Reformed Church; he preached forty 
years. The Blue Church, of Upper Saucon, was the first one of which he was 
pastor, and it was the last one in which he preached a sermon as regular 
pastor. He died in Hellertown, November 23d, 1875. He had two sons, both 
living in Hellertown:
Jer. S. Hess, Cashier of the Saucon Savings Bank
Milton J. Hess, engaged in the lumber business.

  Although the Proprietary government was very much afraid of the Germans, 
who flocked into Pennsylvania in great numbers, we find them exemplary 
citizens. During the Revolutionary war, at a time when the treasury of the 
colonies was empty, and the sick and wounded needed support, the German 
farmers of this township, sold them wheat and rye on credit, when the rich 
merchants of Philadelphia would not sell anything to preserve those 
suffering at Valley Forge.


                           THE GRAVEYARDS
  That are among the oldest in the township, have long since been 
abandoned. Before 1747, a graveyard was laid out on the south side of the 
Lehigh, near the ferry and "The Crown," as a burial place for the Moravians 
of Saucon. 

  On the twelfth of January, the wife of Frederick Hartman was buried 
there. William Tatamy, son of Moses, an interpreter of David Brainerd, was 
buried there, and, according to tradition, the remains of some of the 
Revolutionary ,soldiers, who died at Bethlehem, also rest there.

  E. P. Wilbur's hot-house is supposed to occupy the site of the graveyard,
There was a graveyard on Daniel Beidleman's farm, supposed to be over one 
hundred years old, but now abandoned.

  There was a graveyard near Shimersville, in which rest the mortal remains 
of John Curries wife and some children, of Freeman Thomas children, and 
several colored people. No attention was paid to it, and although the 
ploughman was wont to leave the spot unfilled about twenty years ago, and 
there is scarce anything left to mark the spot to-day but a low stone that 
is supposed to mark it grave.

  The cemetery at the Lower Saucon Church, is a very old one, but time has 
played such sad havoc with the inscriptions on the early tombstones that it 
is difficult to say how old it is. But as the log church was there before 
the stone church, which was built in 1751, it must be one of the oldest.

  The old grounds are still enclosed with a stone wall, although nearly all 
the latest burials are upon the new cemetery, which is laid out in burial 
plots, walks, and drives.

  The graveyard at the old Mennonite Meeting House, which stood where the 
Lime-kiln School House now stands, is over a hundred years old and is still 
the burial-place of the
Rothrocks
Geissingers
Kaufmans, and others.

 The other graveyards are of later origin and were started with the churches.


                       THE LOWER SAUCON CHURCH

  Was one of the oldest Reformed congregations in Northampton county. The 
first notice of it is in the record of New Goshenhoppen, in the handwriting 
of Rev. John Henry Goetschey, who mentions "Sacon" as one of the 
congregations constituting his charge. He entered the field in 1730 and 
left in 1739.  

  The next notice of this congregation we find in Rev. Michael Schlatter's 
journal of the twenty-eighth of June 1747, when he speaks of this 
congregation being served by Rev. John Conrad Wirtz. He says "the 
congregation was not unanimous, but many desired rather to have some other 
regular minister, that entire harmony might be maintained and advanced in 
the congregation." 

  The records of the Lower Saucon Church itself, which were started in 
1756, when Rev. John E. Hecker was pastor, have the following notice of 
Rev. Wirtz; the preachers who preceded him since the erection of the stone 
church. Rev. Wirtz, 1751, and Rev. Lohnspach, who became a soldier on 
account of intemperance." The reference to a stone church would rather 
indicate that a log church was there before. 

  The record begins thus: "This record of the Congregation of Sackon was 
begun in the year 1756, by me, Johannes Egidius Hecker, Reformirtae 
religiouis pastor ibidem -begun in the year of our Lord 1756, March 7th.

  Rev. John E. Hecker served the congregation until 1770, when he went to 
Allen township. 

  Rev. John Daniel Gross preached from 1770-73. His reasons for leaving 
are, according to a letter of his: 
 "1. Want of love, stubborn conduct, and neglect on the part of his members 
in attending divine worship.
  2. Unrighteousness on their part in withdrawing and keeping back from him 
his salary." 

  Rev. Bithahn (also spelled Pithahn) supplied the congregation in 1774, 
but was dismissed on account of intemperence. Intemperance among the early 
preachers of this congregation, can be explained by the fact that preachers 
were few in those early days, and some unworthy schoolmasters from abroad, 
would come along and claim to have been ordained ministers in Germany.

  Rev. John Wm. Ingold came here in 1775, but after serving the congregation 
a short time became dissatisfied and left.

  Saucon was then supplied by Rev. Caspar Wack until 1782. He was the first 
young minister of the Reformed Church, born, educated, licensed, and 
ordained, by the German Reformed Church in this country. He was born in 
Philadelphia, August 15th, 1752. He was married to Barbara Leidy, of 
Franconia township, Montgomery county.

  The following incident is related of him: A Universalist once annoyed him 
with his stuff, at length remarked. "Our doctrine is old, it was preached 
in Paradise." Without allowing him to conclude, Rev. Wack replied, "Yes, 
it is old, it was preached in Paradise, and the devil was the first 
preacher of it; his text was Thou shalt not surely die." 

Rev. John H. Winckhaus supplied the congregation awhile, and was followed 
by Rev. John Mann. 

  The pastors who served the congregation in this century were: 

Rev. Holfmeier, 1795-1807
Rev. Thomas Pomp, 1807-1832
Rev. Samuel Helfenstein, 1833-38
Rev. J. C. Becker, D.D., 1839-57
Rev. C. Becker, 1858
Rev. A. J. G. Dobbs, 1859
Rev. J. S. Kessler, D.D., 1860-62
Rev. W. R. Hofford, 1863-70
Rev. Y. O. Stem, 1874-76
Rev. A. B, Koplin has been elected his successor.


235

  The stone church, built in 1751, was situated in the Centre of the tract 
on the east side of the road, and the cemetery was in the same yard. In 
1816, a new church was built on the west side of the road. The sand for 
building this church was got, off the island in the Lehigh at Allentown, 
and Jonathan, Peter, and Philip Lyon, furnished the teams and hands.  In 
1873, it, was torn down and a beautiful edifice erected on the same spot, 
with a convenient basement and a tall steeple.

  It was originally a Reformed congregation, and the members of the 
Reformed denomination are still the strongest in numbers. In December 1803,
and the beginning of 1804, action was taken to sell the one-half interest 
to the Lutherans, which ended in the legal transfer of the property, 
December 20th, 1803. The consideration money was sixty-seven dollars and 
forty-three cents, paid towards the, enclosure of the graveyard, and one 
hundred and eighty-two dollars and fifty-seven cents, for church, 
building-lot, school-house, and all. 

  From this deed we learn that the Reformed Congregation built a church and 
enclosed a cemetery on a ten-acre tract, but had neglected to
obtain a patent for it until November 22d, 1805, just previous to 
transferring the half-interest, to the Lutherans.

  The tract is called "Good Intent." The patent was granted to
Anthony Overly
Matthias Riegel
John Nice
John Laubach
Adam Laubach

   The Lutheran officers, to whom the deed was made, were
Charles Reintzheimer
John Berl
Frederick Gross

  It has since been a Union church. Rev. Christian Endress, was one of the 
early Lutheran pastors. Rev. Brobst, and Rev. William Rath, were among its 
pastors. Rev. C. J. Copper of South Bethlehem, is the officiating clergyman 
at the present time.


                       THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

  Near Leithsville, also called the Appel's Church, is a Union (Reformed 
and Lutheran) Church.  It was built in 1834.  The building committee were, 
Peter Leith and John Appel (Lutheran), Andrew Weiss and Joseph Ehrhart. It 
was dedicated December 13th and 14th, 1834 .

   The dedicatory services were conducted by Revs.

Thomas Pomp
Joshua Yeager
J. A. Strassburger
John P Hecht
H. S. Miller

The Lutheran pastors were Revs. 

H. S. Miller
Benjamin German
William German
J. F. Vogelbach
present pastor, Rev. William Rath, who has officiated ever since May 8th, 1858.

The Reformed pastors were Rev. Samuel Hess, who preached there from 1834 to 1864
Rev. S. M. K. Huber, to 1868
Rev. A. F. Ziegler, since 1868


                         THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

  Near Ironville, was built in 1871. In 1863,the members of the Evangelical
Church in that vicinity, bought the old school-house, in which services 
were held until the erection of the church. Previous to that, religious 
service, were held in houses. At Daniel Bader's house, services were held as 
early in 1845, by Rev. Israel Bast. They had no cemetery until the new 
church was built. Previous to that they buried at Springtown.

  In the consideration of the religious condition of the community, it may 
not be uninteresting to give the minutes of an association organized 
February 11th, 1806, for the encouragement of Christian virtue, and the 
advancement of civil order, in Lower Saucon, Northampton county.

  The writer came across these minutes in examining old documents. A number 
of citizens met in the stone church and consulted how best to promote 
Christian virtue and limit an end to the immoralities of the neighborhood.
  
  It was decided to form an association, John Bell was President, and 
Matthias Riegel, Secretary. A committee was appointed to draft a 
constitution. 

  The association met again February 25th, 1806, and adopted the following 
constitution 
                               ARTICLE I.
This Association shall be known by the name and title of "The Society for 
the promotion of Christian virtue, and the encouragement of Civil Order."
 
                               ARTICLE II.
The present twenty-fifth of February, and every succeeding twenty-fifth of 
February, shall be the day appointed for the election of the officers of 
this Association.

                               ARTICLE III.
The officers of this Association, shall be a President, a Secretary, and a 
Treasurer.

                               ARTICLE IV.
On all questions the minority shall yield to the majority.

                               ARTICLE V.
When the Association meets for transaction of business, the members. Shall 
be Reared, and when a member speaks he shall rise and address the chair.

                               ARTICLE VI.
When a motion is made and seconded, and before a vote is taken, the 
question shall be, asked whether there are any objections to the motion.

                               ARTICLE VII.
All shall serve gratuitously on days of meeting.

                               ARTICLE VIII.
All virtuous men shall be, eligible to membership.

                               ARTICLE IX.
The members of the Association mutually agree no practice Christian virtues 
and observe civil laws, and when they hear of such violations they shall 
admonish the person, but should be continue in his ways, he shall be 
prosecuted according to law.

                               ARTICLE X.
Should a member report a person to the court he shall do it gratuitously 
and hand the fine over to the Association.

                               ARTICLE XI.
Members, shall subscribe their names to the above articles.


The following names are found appended:-

John Bell
Jacob Lerch
Christian Endress
Henry Hoffimeier
Frederick Gross
Frederick King
Jacob Gross
Mattias Riegel
Christian Ruch
Jacob Oberly

  At this meeting the following address was sent to the Justices of the 
Peace and constables:

  "The Association notices that Civil disorder and vice are on the increase 
and that the Justices of the Peace and Constables, for fear of provoking 
hostility, allow it to pass unpunished. The Association maintains that if 
the laws against disorder and vice were executed by the officers, the 
offenders would decrease in number, for fear of punishment. The Association 
begs and admonishes the neighboring justices and constables to carry out 
the laws on the subject without regard to persons."

  In 1807 the association met again, elected its officers, and ordered a 
written notice to be, sent to the tavern-keepers in the vicinity to 
prohibit dancing, parties and card-playing in their houses, and that if 
they failed to obey, the Association would petition the Court to take away 
their license.

  The minute-book closes with the Treasurers account, in which he charges
Himself with receipts from members of 4s, and 7d., and credits himself with 
price of minute-book, 4s 3d.; balance, 2s. 4d. That is the last we find of 
the Association.

  In Germany the school-master goes hand in hand with the pastor, and we 
find, therefore, that as soon as the Germans built a church they made 
provision for SCHOOLS.

  How early the school house at the Lower Saucon Church was built is not
known. Long before the public school system was adopted by the Legislature 
of Pennsylvania there were schools in eight or ten places in the township.

  Notwithstanding the opposition of some of the rich farmers in the valley, 
the school system was introduced immediately after the passage of the Act.

  Among the men who labored the most assiduously for the introduction, were 
Dr. Henry Detwiller and Rev. Samuel Hess. The minute book of the School Board 
begins in 1839, saying, on the first page, that it is the fourth year after the 
introduction of the public school system. The schools of this township were 
early known as among the best in the County, outside of the larger towns. The 
school term was six months, almost from the start. 

  In 1840 seven months were even ordered by the School Board.
In the same year an election was held whether the system should be 
continued which was carried by twenty-seven majority. The next election was
in 1843, when the majority increased to one hundred and thirty. Only twice
(in 1841 and 1845) was the school term less than six months, and that only
by one month.

  The salary at first was nineteen dollars per month. Public examination of 
the schools was ordered by the Board in 1839, to be held in the two
churches. The first one was held in March 1840. This produced rivalry
among scholars and teachers and gave the schools a new impetus. A lunch
was furnished by the School Board for the children. 

  In 1847 the Directors decided upon uniformity of books; throughout the 
township. This was another advance. A little later on we find that the 
teachers were paid according to the examination they stood. This system 
retained and brought in good teachers, while the inferior teachers went elsewhere. 

The branches taught were English and German reading, arithmetic, 
translation, geography, grammar, spelling, writing, and singing.


236


  Of the teachers who taught during the first years after the introduction of 
the system, Valentine Hilburn, now a lawyer; Wm. Rath, now a Lutheran 
pastor, and Peter Boehm, were among the best. The first always excelled in 
teaching his scholars to translate. The last excelled in vocal music, The 
public examinations combined until 1863, when the School Board discontinued them. 

  The following minute is taken from their record February 7th, 1863: "On 
account of high prices of clothing, and in the circumstances in which our 
country is at the present time, and the opposition of the teachers, no 
public examinations will be held." Another, and the last, was again held in 
1867.  The school term is still six months, as at first, but the salary 
has been increased to an average of about forty dollars, per month.


                                THE MILLS

  In Lower Saucon township, are quite numerous, and have been from the 
earliest days of settlement. The oldest is the one near the mouth of the 
Saucon, built about 1738, by Nathaniel Irish, near where the mill of John 
Knecht is now standing. The same gentleman has a saw-mill alongside of the 
grist-mill. The present building was built by Jacob Shinier, in 1816, but 
has since been improved.

  Going up the Saucon, we come next to a large mill, now the property of 
Joseph Hess. The mill was built by Jesse Jones, between 1773, when the 
tract was bought of James Cruikshank, and 1780, when we find the Jesse 
Jones property assessed with a mill.

  The present building, 45 x,55 feet, was built by the brothers, Joseph and 
John Hess. It has been in the Hess family since the beginning of this century.

  The next grist-mill, we reach, is that of Jacob L. Grim. This is claimed 
to be a very old mill, but no data has been furnished to establish its age. 
The original walls of the present building were put up in 1850. It burnt 
down in 1857, and was at once rebuilt. 

  Kramm's mill, situated along here, was an old mill. A saw-mill, known as 
Roth's, now the property of J. L. Grim, where a small amount of sawing is 
annually done, is met with next.

  Of Stever's saw-mill, and Wagner's grist-mill, an extended notice will be 
found under "Hellertown."

  Joseph Diehl's grist-mill is not as told as the others. It belongs to this 
century, Report says, a powder-mill once stood here, but no data can be 
found anywhere.

  Ehrhart's mill meets us next on our way up the, Saucon. The tract, on 
which the mill stands, was bought of John, Thomas, and Richard Penn, 
July 23d, 1744, by a miller, named Christian Boeydler. 

  He sold it to Christian Bachman, June 20th, 1751. In 1792 it passed into 
the Mohr family -then into the Appel family, and is now the property of the 
Ehrhart Bros. It burnt down in 1865, and was at once rebuilt.

  One more grist-mill, on the Saucon, in this township, is that of 
Wm. K. Yeager. This is an old building, converted into a grist-mill about 
the year 1839, by Joseph Yeager.  The paper-mill was started in the year 
1802, by George Unkley, who bought a tract of sixty acres and one hundred 
and thirty perches in 1802, for the purpose of erecting a paper-mill on it.

  The Saucon Creek has a number of mills further up the stream, but they 
belong to Lehigh county.

  In the northeastern part of the township is another grist-mill, 
belonging to Charles Christman. The mill was built in 1860. It is a stone 
building, 38 x 40 feet. It is supplied with first-class machinery. The 
Christman's were early residents of Lower Saucon.

  The mill known as Cawley's, is situated in the southeastern part of Lower 
Saucon. It was built by John Cawley, in 1831. It burnt down in 1868, while 
Franklin Shimer was the owner of it. The building was worn out and rickety 
when it was destroyed. 

  In 1875, a new mill building, with all the modern improvements, was begun 
by A. J. Mohr & Bro., but it is not quite finished. Near the same place 
stood a powder-mill, which exploded about the beginning of this century. In 
the tax-list of 1780, George Heebner is assessed with it.


                          THE SAUCON FOUNDRY.

  Daniel Weidknecht commenced blacksmithing in 1838, at the corner of the 
roads on the south side of Laubach's Creek. In 1840 he put up a building on 
the north side, and commenced making iron castings. In 1849 he erected a 
larger building (45 x 60) two-stories in height. He had partners at 
different times, the last of whom was his son-in-law, Robert H. Ruch, who 
took sole charge of it in 1875.


                              STATISTICS.

  The progress of the township in population, after the time of its 
erection, was as follows: 
In the year 1750, population 350
in 1760, 510
in 1770, 640
in 1780, 825
in 1790, 979
in 1800, 1,410
in 1810, 1,724
in 1820, 2,208
in 1830, 2,203
in 1840, 2,710
in 1850, 2,905; 

the number of family within the township, the last named year, being 536
the number of dwellings, 499; farms, 181. 

The yearly production 
of wheat, 37,740 bushels
of rye, 24,376 bushels
of corn, 46,548 bushels
oats, 18,440 bushels
buckwheat, 600 bushels
potatoes, 18,505 bushels
of butter, 95,750 pounds
of hay, 3,282 tons.


                  Following are the figures of the

                          ASSESSMENT OF 1853

Amount of Valuation of 18,592 Acres of Land, 
averaged at $42.22 per  acre                         $916,200
Valuation of Occupations and Professions               65,250
Excess of, ditto,                                       4,235
Money's at Interest,                                  111,480
Values of Horses and Cattle (593 horses, 942 cows)     33,736
Value of Stocks of Banks                               14,752
Value of Pleasure Carriages (200 carriages)             7,165
                                                      _______
       Total Amount of Valuation                   $1,150,533
                                                   __________
                                                   __________

State Tax                                           $3,289 25
County Tax                                           2,843 62
Road Tax                                               900 00
School Tax                                           1,125 00
                                                     ________
                                                     ________
Number of Taxables
Schools                                                  743
Teachers                                                  13
Scholars                                                 700

  By the census of 1870, the population of the township is shown to have 
been at that time 4,991.


                                LIMESTONE

  IS found in abundance throughout the whole township; and on all the 
larger farms are found lime-kilns, where lime was burnt for farm use. 
Latterly, lime-burning has become more of a business. The most celebrated 
lime-works are those at Bingen.

  Schroeder's patent for burning lime was first introduced here in 1855, by 
Joseph Yeager. By this process the very best wood-burnt lime is produced 
for building purposes. Bingen sets up the claim of having the best 
limestone in the county. The business has been carried on, successively, by 
Nathan Yeager
William R. Yeager
Yeager & Clauser, and is now in charge of Levi B. Clauser. 
Jacob Koch, along the Lehigh
John Wagner
Leonard Landenberger, near Hellertown
William R. Yeager, at Bingen, 
and others, are carrying on the lime business. 
John Shinier, at Shimersville, some years ago, carried on lime 
burning on his farm, and supplied a few of the farmers in the neighborhood.


                                 IRONORE

  Is found in abundance throughout the Saucon valley. The Gangewere mines 
are the most extensive. Thousands of tons have been taken from them 
annually. Augustus Wolle leased the property front Solomon Gangewere, in 
1857. He mined considerable ore, and in order to find a market for it, he 
urged upon his friends to join with him in the organization of an Iron 
Company. The Bethlehem Iron Company was started, and bought the lease from 
Augustus Wolle.

  The Hartman mine, near the "Kohlberg," was opened more than twenty years 
ago, and mined by a Mr. May. The Saucon Iron Company owns this mine at the 
present time, and have opened a fine body of ore. The company is working 
the mine at the present, and piling up the ore for future use. The North 
Penn Iron Company has a lease upon a contiguous tract.

  Near Ironville, the Coleraine Iron Company is taking out a large quantity 
of ore, under what is called the Desh and Martin lease. A few years, ago, 
the same company opened a mine on Tobias S. Weber's land, near the Saucon 
Church, from which they took a large amount of ore, to supply their 
furnaces at Redington. 

  The ore-found in Lower Saucon is hematite; and while the mines above 
mentioned are the principal ones, there are leases upon many other tracts, 
and new bodies of ore will, from time to time, be opened.

A brief notice of each of the

                                   VILLAGES

In Lower Saucon township, exclusive of the two boroughs, South Bethlehem 
and Hellertown, which receive a separate consideration elsewhere, will be 
necessary to complete the history of the township.


                                SHIMERSVILLE

  At the mouth of the Saucon, is the oldest, and was named after Jacob Shimer, 
the ancestor of the Shimers living there now, oldest houses still standing. 

  The village contains about twenty dwelling houses 
one store
one grist-mill (see mills of Saucon)
one saw-mill 
a foundry

 Near it, is the furnace of the Northampton Iron Company, standing on what 
was formerly the Shimer farm.1  John Shimer, one of Saucon's oldest 
citizens, lives in the village. John Knecht, one of Saucon's most prominent 
and enterprising business men, and one of the projectors of the Northampton 
Iron Company, resides in Shimersville.

  In 1824, John Shimer built a mill for fulling, dyeing, and finishing cloth.

  In 1829, he enlarged the building, and leased it to William Chamberlain.

  In April, 1837, George Shinier, a Son of June, took charge of the mill.  

  In 1842, the freshet, washed away the frame building, and flooded the machinery.

  A new stone building, was erected in its stead, and, in 1846, improved
machinery was added.

  In 1848, another building was annexed. Machinery was added, and more 
hands employed, from time to time The great freshet of 1862 washed away the 
dam completely.

 In 1863, the mill burnt down. It was rebuilt at once, and in 1864 it burnt 
down a second time.

 James Shimer now entered into co-partnership with George, and a new 
building was erected. Business increased, until as much as $60,000 worth of 
woolen goods were manufactured in one year. In 1872, George Shimer sold 
out to James Shimer, who removed the woolen-mills, to Allentown. The 
building, remained idle until June, 1875, when Shimer & Co commenced the
FOUNDRY and machine business. They commenced the manufacture of hardware in 
general. The business is carried on at present by Wm. Shimer & Sons.
When the North Pennsylvania Railroad was first built they had a branch road 
to Shimersville, cut, after the main road was completed to Bethlehem, they 
had little use for the road and it was soon abandoned.


                                LEITHSVILLE

  Is the next village which deserves consideration, so far as age is 
concerned. It was names after the Leiths, who live in its vicinity, and are 
its principal property holders even to-day.  Leith or Leyd, as it spelled 
in the older records, is a Scotch name. Benjamin Riegel married a widow 
Leyd, from New Brunswick, New Jersey, who had a son, Peter. Peter Leyd was 
a small boy when he came to Pennsylvania, and could speak no German. He 
married a Weaver, who was of German descent, and, living to a German 
community, the family grew up with but a limited knowledge of English.

  Peter Leyd was the ancestor of the large family of Leiths living in Lower 
Saucon to-day.

  Leithsville is a small village, with a hotel, two stores, and about
twenty other houses. It was a Post Office until 1871, when it was removed 
to Bingen, a neighboring station, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad.


                                   BINGEN

  Is a small village, which grew out, of the organization of the North 
Pennsylvania Iron Company, and the establishment of its works at this place. 
It received its name from F. A. Comly, President of the North Pennsylvania 
Railroad company, who, in consideration of the German population of the 
vicinity, named this little village after Bingen on the Rhine.


                      THE NORTH PENNSYLVANIA IRON COMPANY

  Was organized mainly through the efforts and influence of one of Bingen's 
most prominent and active citizens. William R. Yeager, Esq. It was 
chartered in April 1869. The works were built under the superintendence of 
Mr. Joseph Hunt, and the furnace was first blown in June 1st, 1871.

  On the eighth of July 1872, an explosion of the receiver, occurred, by 
which sad accident, four lives were lost. The engine-house was torn in 
pieces, and other damage done, to such an extent, that it was not until 
October 15th, that work could be resumed. Loss than a month after this 
resumption of operations, the stack burst, and was obliged to be nearly all 
rebuilt. 

  This was not completed until January 25th, 1873, when it was again blown 
in and worked with but little interruption until April 8th, 1875, when it 
was blown out. The largest amount of Pig Metal manufactured in any one year 
was that in 1874, viz: 10,777 tons, 10 cwt. gross.

  The officers of the Company are: 

Henry Detwiller, President
William B. Hutter, Secretary and Treasurer
Joseph Hunt, Superintendent
C. B. Heller, Bookkeeper

Directors-

W. R. Yeager
Chas. Fellman
Jonas Snyder
Josiah Hetreich
Levi Mayer
Henry Trumbauer
Joseph Schlerfer
Jacob G. Appel

The village of Bingen contains two stores, one hotel, one grist-mill, the
Saucon lime works and about twenty houses.


                                   SEIDERVILLE

  Is a village situated in the western part of the township, on the road 
from Bethlehem to Friedensville. It was named after Charles Seider, one of 
its early residents. It became a Post Office in 1855. Solomon Brehm, an 
active citizen, was the first Postmaster. It contains one hotel, one store, 
and about fifteen houses.


                                   IRONVILLE

  Is a small place, consisting of a store and a few dwelling houses, near 
the "Swoveberg," so called because of the iron mines in its vicinity.


                                   IRON HILL

  Is a small place, one mile South of Shimersville. It consists of a marble 
yard and a few houses. It must have received its name on account of the 
absence of iron ore, or, perhaps the man who gave it the name thought, with 
the lawyer who quoted from an authority, and, when told it could not be, 
found on the page be had stated, replied: "That if it was not there, it 
ought to be." It was a Post Office for awhile, but owing to its proximity 
to South Bethlehem, it was discontinued a few years ago.


                                 LOWER SAUCON

  Is a Post Office in the eastern part of the township. It consists of a 
mill, hotel, and store. Before the days of railroads considerable business 
was done here.


                                   REDINGTON

  On the Lehigh, in the northeastern part of the township, is a new village, 
which started with the establishment there of the works of the
THE COLERAINE IRON COMPANY, which was organized in 1869, by W. T. Carter & 
Co., of Philadelphia. It has two furnaces connected with the works, which 
turn out annually about twenty-six thousand tons of pig-iron. When running 
at full capacity, the company, for all its various operations and 
interests, employs about two hundred and seventy-five men. It owns ten 
ore-mines, four in Northampton county, three in Lehigh, and three in Berks.

  The present Superintendent is Thomas Carter. He has been identified with 
the interests of the Company since its establishment. The bookkeeper, 
Mr. F. B. Shoener (also Postmaster at Redington), has been with the Company 
from the first.

  The Coleraine Company owns sixty-five acres of land, and has at Redington 
a large number of dwelling houses, for the workmen's occupancy, as also a 
general store, the annual sales of which amount to $35,000.

  Redington was first called Lime Ridge, which was afterwards changed to 
its present name. It consists, of
one store
one hotel
one school-house
a foundry
two furnace stacks
about twenty dwelling houses

  Saucon boasts of a number of old people, living within a mile of the
"Wassergass." The oldest one of them is Mrs. Simon Reiss, aged 104, on 
December 22d, 1876. Although small and stooped, she moves about quite 
freely, but her memory is failing fast. 

  She remembers many things that occurred in her early days, when there 
were still Indians in this section, but she cannot give a connected account 
of anything. 

The others are:

Mrs. Michael Reiss, aged 96

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Leidich, each aged 85 years

Isaac Ott living on the Springtown road, a soldier of 1812, who went from 
Bedminster, Bucks county, is also an octogenarian.

John Christine, living near Cawley's, now More's mill, is an old fox-hunter, 
who claims to have killed about a thousand foxes, but he says game is 
getting scarce. He is 76 years of age.


                           BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP-(1746)

  THE township of Bethlehem, as at present constituted, is a portion of the 
original township of the same name, which was erected in the year 1746. It 
then embraced within its limits all of the area of Upper and Lower Nazareth 
townships, and the boroughs of Bethlehem and Freemansburg. 

  Its present boundaries are:
On the, north, Lower Nazareth
on the east, Palmer township
on the South, the Lehigh River, separating it from Lower Saucon
on the west, Hanover township, and a portion of Lehigh county. 
_______________________________________________________________________

1. Edward Shimer made application for land in Lower Saucon township, 
April 1767, and received a warrant for it, April 29th, 1788.


238 


  It is watered by the Lehigh River, Monocacy Creek, and several small 
streams emptying into the Lehigh; among which is one called "Nancy's Run",
so named in the old records of land boundaries; the name of which is said 
to have originated from the fact that, in the holdout time, there lived on 
its banks, an old colored woman named Nancy, whose profession was that
of a fortune-teller, in which she became quite famous in all the 
neighboring region. She lived in a little log cabin, about half a mile up 
the creek from its mouth, near where the Easton road crosses.

  A considerable portion of the lower part of this township was embraced no 
the region formerly known as the "Dry Lands," which were then thought to be 
so irreclaimably arid and barren, that they would never be fit for human 
habitation, but which are now among the best lands of the county.

  The country now embraced in Bethlehem township, was once a favorite 
meeting place, and hunting; and fishing ground of the Indians. It was 
between Freemansburg and Bethlehem boroughs that their Minisink Path 
crossed the Lehigh; that trail over which, in the time between the first 
coming of William Penn said their final expulsion front the country, they 
were continually moving to and fro, between the Gaps of the Blue 
Mountains, and settlements, at the Falls, and at Philadelphia; and ever 
which the historical "Indian Walk" of 1737, was made. 

  Traces of the Indians still remain in the township, though they are 
becoming fainter and fainter, as the years roll on. On the farm of Mr. 
Leonard Schweitzer, there is an old grave, which tradition says was that of 
a Delaware chief, and the finding of a tomahawk in the ground near it, a 
few years since, seems to strengthen belief in the truth of the legend.

  Arrow heads and stone pestles, unquestionably of Indian manufacture, are 
still occasionally brought to light by the farmer's plough, at different 
places, but these grow more and more infrequent, and before long the last 
traces of Indian occupation of the Lehigh Valley will have disappeared forever.

  The first white settlements within the township bounds, where made soon 
after 1730, and by the year 1740 the population had reached a total of forty souls.

  Among the first of the Bethlehem township pioneers, were families by the names of

Cleyder
Buss
Kocher
Bunstein
Hartzel
Hanshue

who settled near what was then known as the "Dry Lands Pond," between the 
points now known as Hecktown and Farmersville.  At that time all was an 
unbroken forest. 

  Upon one occasion, one of these settlers was captured by Indians, and 
according to previous agreement he scattered broken twigs, in his path, as 
they were hurrying him away, by which sign his friends was able to follow 
and rescue him at night. 

  Soon after this, one of the Cleyders was murdered by the savages, and from 
that moment his surviving brother became a mortal foe of the red men, an 
Indian slayer; a Nemesis on their track, whose chief business in life, 
early and late, and in all seasons, was to avenge his brother's death.

  Another of the earliest settlers was Caspar Ritter, who located on land 
now the farm of Jacob Coryell.  He was the father of ten children, all of 
whom, except one, emigrated to the (then), far West.

  The one who remained was Daniel, father of Captain Daniel Ritter, who now, 
at the ripe age of seventy-six, still occupies and owns the farm on which 
his father lived.

  About the year 1740, James Bingham, of Philadelphia, bought of William 
Allen, a tract of six hundred acres on the north bank of the Lehigh, nearly 
opposite Redington.

  This was first intended as a hunting ground, and for the erection of a 
sportsman's lodge, but finally it became the home of one of the Binghams, 
who married a lady of the county and permanently settled there. A part of 
the tract is now the farm of Abraham Shimer, Esq.

  The Moravian Society, located in the town of Bethlehem, also purchased  
large tracts of land in the township, as well as on the other side of the 
river in Saucon.

  Michael Kohler, an old settler, was a Revolutionary soldier, and fought 
in the battle of Long Island, in 1776, and nearly forty years later, fought 
also in the last war against England.

  It is said that during the Revolution, General Hall's command were, for a 
time, encamped on the lands of the Moravians, in the township, and that 
some of his men who died there, were buried in all old cemetery upon the 
Jones farm.

  Peter Lawall, who is still living with his son, at Butztown, and now 
eighty-six years old, was a drummer in the War of 1812. He enlisted in 
Captain Jacob Shortz's company of three months men, at Hecktown.

  One of the oldest grist-mills in Bethlehem, outside of the borough, is 
that owned by Bermer & Lerch, on the bank of the Lehigh, a mile and a half 
below Freemansburg. The grist-mill now owned by R. T. Schweitzer, was built 
in 1800, by George Butz, on Nancy's Run, a mile and a half above 
Freemansburg. It was demolished, excepting the walls, in 1876, and has been 
rebuilt within the old walls. 

  This mill is on land which formed part of a tract of five hundred acres, 
purchased a century and a quarter ago, from the Proprietaries, by Casper 
Whiter, a merchant of the city of Philadelphia. As late as 1776, that tract 
stood in the assessment valued at £50 ($133.33) -about twenty-seven cents per acre.

  In 1822, Owen Rice built a mill, first used as a grist-mill, but now in 
use by H. Erwin & Co., for the manufacture of paints, and known as the  
"Blue Mountain Paint Mills." They purchased the property and commenced work 
in 1868. Their works are a great advantage, as well as credit, to the 
township. The paints manufactured, are of superior quality, and received 
the award over all other exhibitors in the United States, at the Centennial 
Exhibition of 1876. They employ six men.

  In the year 1750, the population of the township had increased to 450; in 
1760, it was 700; and in 1770, it reached 950 souls. Of these, there appear 
to have been 163 who were subject to taxation as property-holders, and of 
these taxables, eighteen were Moravians.

  The real estate valuation of the township, in that year, was £3,671, of 
which £1,507 was held by Moravians. The Bethlehem township tax, in 1873 
(including Bethlehem village) was £51 3s.

 There were in that year, seventy-seven single men, over twenty-one years 
of age, in the township, which also contained one grist-mill, one saw-mill, 
and one oil-mill.

  In 1780, the population numbered 1,375 in 1790, it was 960 -the decrease 
in that decade being due to the setting off of Nazareth. 

In 1800, it was about 1,300
in 1810, 1,600
in 1820, 1,860
in 1830, 2,430
in 1840, 2,989
in 1850, 2,104


 At that time, there were 
405 families
371 dwelling houses
153 farms, in the township 

Its yearly production of wheat was 49,023 bushels
of rye, 22,062 bushels
of corn, 41,390 bushels
of oats, 18,460 bushels
of potatoes, 9,607 bushels
of butter, 48,045 pounds
of hay, 2,142 tons


Following are the statistics of the valuation and assessment, at that time:

Valuation of Real Estate, 12,524 Acres 
averaged at $78.18 per Acre             $978,873
Occupations and Professions               59,278
Excess of ditto                              550
Money at Interest                         79,876
Valuation of 494 horses and 640 cows      34,070
Valuation of 247 pleasure carriages        9,167
Stocks of Banks                           10,090
                                          ______
                                          ______
State Tax                                 $3,441 91
County Tax                                 2,931 29
School Tax                                   900 00
Road Tax                                   2,209 00 
                                           ________
                                           ________

Number of Taxable Persons                     670
Schools                                        11
Teachers                                       11
Scholars                                      500
German Reformed and Lutheran Churches           2
Grist-mills                                     4
Lime-kilns                                      4
Boot and Shoe Factories                         2
Saw-mills                                       1
Brick-yards                                     1
Taverns                                         6
Stores                                          7


There are now in the township, ten schools and school houses, furnished 
with all the modern apparatus and appliances of education. There are five 
small villages, namely: 

Middletown, north of Freemansburg, about fourteen houses

Butztown, about the centre of township, ten dwellings

Farmersville, eastern part of the township, eleven houses, school, and 
Union (Lutheran-Reformed) church

Altona, one mile north of Bethlehem borough, sixteen dwellings

Brodhead Station, in the northwest part, near the line of Lower Nazareth.
The population of the township, by the census of 1870, was 2,230.


239

                 ALLEN AND EAST ALLEN TOWNSHIP-(1748-1845)
                         BY JACOB FATZINGER, ESQ.

  As Allen and East Allen formed but one township, from the time of their 
first settlement until the year 1845, it period of nearly one hundred and 
fifteen years, their early history as, from this cause, so closely 
interwoven as to be well nigh inseparable; and for this reason they are 
here given together.

  The township of Allen is bounded on the
 north by Lehigh and Moore townships
on the east by East Allen
on the south by Hanover township, Lehigh county
on the west, by the Lehigh river, which separates it from Lehigh county.


  East Allen is bounded on 
the north by Moore township
on the east by Upper and Lower Nazareth
on the south by Hanover township and Lehigh county
on the west by Allen township.

  The northern part of Allen is undulating, and underlaid by a slate 
formation; the southern portion is more level, with a limestone soil, in a 
good state, of cultivation. It is drained principally by the Hokendauqua 
and Catasauqua creeks, which afford power for its mills.

  The surface of East Allen is quite level; the soil is limestone, and very 
fertile, The Catasauqua, and the west branch of the Monocacy Creek, are the 
principal streams of the township.

   The original township of Allen, which comprised both the above, as well 
as the township of Hanover, and a portion of the present territory of 
Lehigh county, was erected, in June, 1748, by decree of the Bucks County 
Court of Quarter Sessions; granted on the petition of thirty-seven of the 
inhabitants of the township. It was named in honor of William Allen, who, 
subsequently to 1740, became proprietor of a large tract of land in this 
section. Hanover was separated from it in 1798, and East Allen in 1845.

  The Delaware Indians were the original inhabitants of this, as well as
other, portions of the county, and gave names to many of the streams, 
places, and hills; Hokendauqua, signifying-searching for land-and 
Catasauqua-the land is thirsty.

  At the time of the arrival of the first settlers, the Indians had their 
wig-wams, and cultivated gardens, with apple and pear trees, near where 
Weaversville now stands. Indian arrows and pestles are, even at the present 
day, frequently turned up by the plough.

  The large spring on the premises of David Heller was made known to the 
whites by an Indian squaw, who, overhearing a white settler ask for a 
drink, said: "Give me a gourd, and I will fetch you some." Upon which 
being done, she departed through the briars, and brush, and soon returned 
with the settled A. D. 1728, by emigrants, from the northern part of 
Ireland, of whom the Craig family was the principal, and after whom it was 
called, "the Craig, or Irish settlement."

  The residence of James Craig was in the vicinity of the Presbyterian 
Church, near Weaversville, he purchased two hundred and fifty acres from 
William Allen, 1743-a part of the 5,000 acre tract taken up by Thomas Penn, 
by warrant dated London, May 8th, 1732.

  James Craig had three sons: William, Thomas, and Robert. The former took 
so active part in the division of Bucks county, and was elected the first 
Sheriff of Northampton county.

  In April 1774, James Craig divided his lands among his three sons. The 
church, graveyard, and school house lots were on his lands, and were deeded 
to the congregation, March 11th, 1770, March 11th, 1772, and June 8th, 1791. 

  The names of some of the other prominent early settlers, and 
Revolutionary soldiers and officers, are as follows, viz.:
 Thomas Craig (first) was the owner of five hundred acres, and ninety-six 
perches, granted to, him by Caspar Wistar, March 28th, 1739; his residence 
was on the farm now owned by Dr. H. H. Riegel.

  In June, 1773, he deeded one hundred and fifty-five acres to Andrew 
Hagenbuch, of Berks county.

  General Thomas Craig and Captain John Craig were sons of Thomas Craig, and 
both served as officers during the Revolutionary War. The former served as 
Colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, and Brigadier General; and, to 
use his own words, "served faithfully from the commencement of the late war 
to the end of it."

  It is said that he was the first Revolutionary officer to protect the 
Continental Congress, and the first to march to Canada. He took part in 
the battles of Quebec, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, as well as in 
many others in North and South Carolina. 

  He was also with the army at Valley Forge, during the memorable winter of 
1777-78. He died at Allentown, Leigh county, January 20th, 1832, when 
upwards of ninety-two years of age; and was buried with military and 
Masonic honors. The procession marched to the cemetery to the funeral strains 
of the Bethlehem Band, the tolling of bells, and firing of many guns. 

  After the ceremonies were over, and the friends retired to the Lutheran 
Church, the Lehigh Artillerists fired four salutes over the grave, and then 
marched to the church, where an impressive sermon was delivered by 
Rev. Joshua Yeager.

  John Craig was commissioned December 2d, 1778, and served as Captain in 
the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Light Dragoons, and was pronounced by Gen. 
Washington, the best horsemen in the army. From 1793 to 1796 he was Sheriff 
of Northampton county.

  Thomas Armstrong's residence was on land now owned by Samuel Kochler, in 
Lehigh county, near Catasauqua. He was commissioned Coroner, 
October 4th, 1755, and was an Elder of the Presbyterian Congregation, as 
the following certificate will show:
  "The bearer, James Young, hath lived in the congregation for several 
years, and always behaved himself soberly and honestly, and now, at the 
time of his removal from us, is a single person, free, from all public 
scandal, known to us, is certified at the Forks of the Delaware, this 
fourth day of August, 1752. Thomas Armstrong, Elder."

  The residence of John Riddle was on farm now owned by Morgan Emanuel,
in Allen township. He died about 1771.

Widow Dobbin, a sister of William Boyd, owned two hundred and eighty-nine 
acres, a part of the Page tract, called the "Manor of Chawton," and her 
residence was on farm now owned by Valentine Deshler. 

  Deed to her, dated April 8th, 1751. She died about 1766, and left issue: 
Alexander
Leonard
William
James
Susannah (who was married to John Neal)
Elizabeth (who married William Perry)

  Nathaniel J. Taylor lived on the Lehigh River, a short distance above 
Catasauqua.

  James Kerr owned a large tract, and his residence was on the farm now 
owned by Isaac Miller, in East Allen township.

  Mary King's residence was on farm now owned by David Heller. We
Find in 1754, James Eggleson lived in Bethlehem township.

  James Hutchinson, Wm. McConnell, Joseph Brown, and John Cook, settled in 
what, is now East Allen, near the present St. Paul's Church.

  Samuel Brown, purchased in 1773 and resided on farm now owned by
M. Emaniel, Sr. He sold it, in 1777, to Jacob Frock, and moved to where 
his grandson, the late William Brown, formerly resided.

  Robert Gregg was owner of two hundred and twenty-nine acres, below 
Catasauqua, on Lehigh River, deeded to him by John Elliot, December 12th, 1754.

  James Allison lived on farm now owned by Daniel Saeger.

  James Horner, the ancestor of the Horner family, of this section, 
emigrated to this country at an early date, settled in Allen township, and 
resided on farm now owned by Thomas Laubach. He was born 1711, and died 
May 1st, 1793. His wife, Jane Horner, was born 1713, and was killed by the Indians.1

Their family consisted of seven children, as follows:
Hugh
John
Thomas
Sarah
Mary
James
Jean

  The former was born 20th, 1743; the latter October 20th, 1759, and was 
the wife of John Hays. 

  James Horner's family were all born in Allen township, and lived to be married.

  James McAlister and George Gray lived in what is now Howertown, the 
former on land, now owned by T. B. Glick, the latter on lands of George Hower.

  John McNair lived on farm owned by R. Weaver, John Walker, on lands now 
owned by Jesse Kline, Hugh Wilson, by deed of March 7th, 1737, and 
June 29th, 1738, was granted nearly seven hundred and thirty acres, 
situated northwest of Howertown. He was appointed Justice of the Peace, June 9th, 1756.

  John Hay Sr., kept a public house, on the road leading from Bethlehem to 
Gnadenhutten. John Hay, Jr., was a prominent man, served during the 
Revolution, and died, 1796, while on a trip to Fort Pitt, where Pittsburg 
now stands.

  Thomas Herran lived in (present) Moore township, previous to 1747
Archibald Laird owned two hundred and ten acres, on which Stemton now 
stands; his residence is supposed to have been on the farm lately owned by 
Henry Beil, Esq. He purchased this land June 6th, 1766, and, in 1771,
sold it to B. Beil, the ancestor of the Bell family of Allen township, Mr. 
Laird was Collector of Provincial Taxes, as is shown by a receipt given by 
him, March 30th, 1766.

  Samuel Caruthers resided near where Seemsville now stands.

  James, Caruthers lived in what is now Moore township Michael Clyde owned a 
large tract on the Monocacy, Creek, in what is now East Allen. John Boyd 
resided on farm now owned by John Miller.

  James Boyd lived on the "Dry Lands," now Hanover township, Lehigh county, 
near Catasauqua.

  Dr. Matthew McHenry was appointed Surgeon to the Provincial ship, 
Montgomery, April 13th, 1776. 

   Neigel Gray served as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifth Pennsylvania 
Regiment, and lived at Howertown.

  Dr. Andrew Ledlie was Surgeon of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment.

  John Nicholas Hower served as Lieutenant of Militia (Howertown).

  John Ralston was Captain of Militia.

  Timothy Rogers and Henry Shoener served in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment.
_________________________________________________________________________

1. In the Stenton massacre, October 8th, 1763  (see note, page 53). In the 
old Presbyterian Burial Ground, in East Allen, may be read the inscription 
over her grave; Jane, the wife of James Horner, who suffered death by the 
hands of the savage Indian; aged fifty years.


240


  Ensign Biechy served to the "Flying Camp," and was taken prisoner at the 
battle of Long Island.

  Alexander Davis came to this country from Belfast, Ireland, and was sold 
as a redemptioner to Widow Perry, who lived near the village of Smoketown, 
Lower Nazareth. He served during the Revolution, and at the time of hi 
decease lived in Bushkill township.

  Captain Jacob Klader served as a Captain of Volunteers in the 
Revolutionary War.

  Frederick Nagel, of Allen township, enlisted when fifteen years of age, 
as a private in Captain Nicholas Kerns company of volunteers; served under 
Lord Stirling; was taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island, 
August 27th, 1776, and kept prisoner until peace was declared. In the year 
1837, he made application for a pension, but his claim was rejected.

 Following is his deposition:
  COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
  COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, 88

On the 15th day of April, A. D 1837, personally appeared in the Open Court 
of Common Pleas of said county, before the Hon. John Banks, President, and 
John Cooper and Daniel Wagoner, Esqs. Associate Judges of the said Court, 
Frederick Nagel, a resident of the township of Allen, in said county, aged 
seventy-six years, the 25th of April (this day), who being duly sworn 
according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order 
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

  That he entered the service of the United States under the following 
named officers, and served as hereafter stated. In June 1776, he became a 
volunteer in what was called the Flying Camp. He enlisted in Lehigh 
township, Northampton county, under Jost Dreisbach for six months, and 
marched into Moore township, which adjoined Lehigh, to Christian Berger's, 
where he joined his company commanded by Captain Nicholas Kern.

  In a few days they marched to Easton, still in his native county 
(Northampton) where they joined other companies, and all came under the 
command of Colonel Peter Kichline, and in a few days crossed the Delaware, 
and marched to New Brunswick, where they arrived on Saturday evening, and 
left on Monday, and from thence they marched by way of Amboy to New York.

  They joined other forces in New York, and remained there until afternoon 
of the twenty-sixth of August, when they were ordered over to Long Island 
in boats. They went over, struck their tents, and early the next morning 
the call was to arms.

  The battle in short note commenced, and lasted all day, the regiment to 
which he belonged, got in a great confusion, and at about four o'clock in 
the afternoon, his Colonel (Kichline), who was commanding on foot, 
collected about two hundred of them together, and had their arms put in 
order, for we were in a hollow, and the enemy on a hill. He said we would 
break through their line and escape to New York. When we got about half way 
up the hill, the fire of the British came so hard, and so unity fell, that 
the Colonel ordered a retreat. In a few minutes he was taken prisoner, and 
we all fled in confusion, into some briars and high grass, along a pond.
About sunset, the British and Hessians, came upon it and took us prisoner. 

  Ensign Beechy was the only officer that was present when he was taken.
He, together with about seven hundred others, were put in two small 
churches, and in two or three day, were all put together in one church 
(large) church and kept in the church, with the window-shutters shut, for 
about ten days, and fed on nothing but green apples, and drank water out of 
old pork barrels. The apples were brought to the church-door in a cart, and 
flung into the church. 

   At the end of ten days, we got some bread. We were kept in the church 
until about the first of October, and then taken out and put on board of a 
British ship, which was called the "Julianna." The ship was very dirty, and 
we were fed on old biscuit, which was almost rotten. 

  We remained in said ship until the last of October, when they offered to 
release as many as would swear that they would not take up arms again. He, 
with several others, refused to take the oath, some did; some he heard died 
on the road home.

  They were then put on other vessels and taken to Halifax. He refused to 
take the required oath, supposing that he could escape as soon as they came 
to land. Some time after they were at Halifax, Berger and Cornelius Daniel, 
two of his companions, attempted to escape, and were caught, and received 
two hundred lashes. 

  They remained at Halifax upwards of two years the exact time he cannot 
tell, and were then ordered down to St. Johns, and remained until the close 
of the war, until peace was declared, and then taken across the Bay to Windsor, 
and discharged.

  While at St. Johns, he, together with five others, viz:
 
Henry Godyear
Jacob Swap
Christian Henninger
Berger and 
Daniel above named, agreed to make their escape if they could.

  An Irishman, however, called John Dunn, found out their plan, and gave the 
information. Berger and Daniel each received eight hundred lashes.

  Berger was a fat man and the flesh fell off his back. He, this deponent, 
with the others, were placed in the guard-house for six months, and put on 
half allowance. 

  They all would have been able to make their escape, if it had not been 
for the boy. When he was discharged, he returned to his native county 
(Northampton) where he resided.

  When he volunteered  he found his own clothing and rifle. He has no 
documentary evidence, and knows of no person who can testify to his 
service, except Henry Siegel, who enlisted about the same time, and went 
out from the same county, under the same Colonel, in Captain John Arndt's 
company, whose deposition will be hereunto annexed.

  He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, 
except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll 
of the agency, or if any, only on that of Pennsylvania.
                                           (Signed)
                                                   FREDERICK NAGEL.

Deposition of Henry Siegel:

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
               NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, SS.

  On the twenty-ninth day of April, A. D. 1837, before me the subscriber, 
Charles L. Eberle, one of the Justices of the Peace, in and for the said 
county, personally appeared Henry Siegel, a Revolutionary pensioner, of 
Bushkill township, in the said county, whom I do hereby certify to be a man 
of respectability, and his statements, entitled to full credit and belief, 
and who, from bodily infirmity and old age, is unable to attend Court, who 
being duly sworn according to law, says that the latter part of June, or 
beginning of July, 1776, he became a volunteer, and enlisted in Plainfield 
township, in said county, in what was called the Flying Camp, for five 
months, and marched to Easton, where he came under the command of Colonel 
Peter Kichline. 

  That he well recollects seeing Frederick Nagel, who was a private in 
Captain Nicholas Kern's company, at Easton; he knew him for some years 
before that, he with this deponent, in a few days, marched with their 
respective companies, under the command of Colonel Kichline, by the way of 
New Brunswick and Amboy to New York, where they remained until the 
afternoon of the twenty-sixth day of August, and were then ordered over to 
Long Island.

  The next morning the battle commenced, and during the forenoon, he saw 
said Nagel several times about noon of said day. He, this deponent, with 
others of the regiment, made their escape and got on the East River, and 
the next morning they got over to New York. 

  He understood that the said Nagel was taken a prisoner at evening, and 
put in a church, and then on board of a prison ship, and because, he would 
not swear that he would not again take up arms, he was taken to Halifax and 
St. Johns, and did not see him until peace was declared in 1783, when he 
returned to his native county of Northampton, where he has remained ever since. 

  Ensign was taken a prisoner with him, and returned to the neighborhood of 
this deponent, when said Nagel did, but is now dead. Deponent further 
declares that said Nagel has always been called a Revolutionary soldier, 
who suffered much while a prisoner; and he believes that he was taken a 
prisoner at Long Island, and retained until peace was declared.

                                            (Signed)  HEINRICH SIEGEL


                               PROMINENT CITIZENS.

General Robert Brown,1 a prominent citizen of what is at present East Allen 
township, was a Lieutenant in Colonel Magaw's Regiment, Flying Camp, and 
was captured at the surrender of Fort Washington, November 16th, 1776. 
There he and his companions fought for forty-eight hours, without food or 
water, and when completely exhausted and when their ammunition was gone, 
they surrendered, but not before. They were then driven like cattle to a 
church, fitted up for a prison, in New York.

  Of the two thousand soldiers, closed in that one building, two or three 
hundred died, and were dragged out, many of them still breathing, while 
being taken out for burial. A handful of wormy crackers were given to each 
man several hours after they had been shut up.

  Robert Brown was let out on parole, with some others of the officers, 
after being incarcerated in that loathsome place for three days. After this 
he was confined in New York, and received supplies from Mr. Pintard, and 
from Commissary-General Skinner.

  He was exchanged at Elizabethtown, January 25th, 1781, and returned to 
his home in Northampton county.

  The title of General, he received from holding that office in the 
militia. His old commissions from Governors Findley and McKean, are very 
antique looking papers. He was elected to the first Senate of Pennsylvania, 
anti represented the county in the Legislature from 1783 to 1787. He was in 
1796 sent as a representative to Congress, in which office he remained for 
eighteen years in succession, when he, finally, positively refused to allow 
his name to be used again, on account of old age, and bodily infirmities. 
Thomas J. Rodgers, of Easton, was his successor.

  His valedictory address, to his constituents, in 1812, was excellent, and 
might well be patterned after, by many public men of our day, whose 
advantages of education have been much greater than were his.

  Robert Brown's correspondents were among the first men in the nation: such as

Samuel Sitgreaves, of Easton
Albert Gallatin and Colonel Rohn, of Virginia
Henry Clay
John C. Calhoun
Richard M. Johnson
and many other political men then there were Bishop White and his brother, 
John White; there are letters to him from all these. When Mr. Sitgreaves 
was a member of the Convention to form the first constitution of this 
State, he wrote to General Brown, almost every day, to keep him informed as 
to the progress of the debates.

  Simon Dreisbach, Neigel Gray, and John Ralston, were among the members 
from Northampton, appointed to frame the Constitution of 1776. The two 
former, lived where Howertown now stands. The residence of the latter
was on farm now owned by S. Ackenbach.

  Governor George Wolf was born in (now) East Allen township, in 1777,
He was educated at the old Academy, on the Monocacy, and studied law with 
John Ross, at Easton, and, in due course of time was admitted to the bar. 
In 1814 he was elected to the State Legislature. From 1824 to 1829 he 
represented this district, in Congress, and from 1829 to 1835 served as 
Governor of Pennsylvania.
________________________________________________________________________

1. This sketch of General Robert Brown, was kindly furnished by Rev. Charles 
Brodhead, of Bethlehem.


241


                                 PHYSICIANS.

Among the early physicians of Allen and East Allen, were 

Matthew Henry
Edward Humphrey
John Boyd
William White
E. T. Martin


                                  PREACHERS.

  David and John Brainerd, often preached to the early inhabitants of Allen 
township, during the years 1744 and 1745. The latter states in his journal, 
that, on October 14th, 1749, he "went to Captain Craig's settlement, and 
there found Mr. Lawrence, the minister at that place, and on the sixteenth 
he rode with him to Bethlehem, having a desire to get some further 
acquaintance with the Moravians."

  Rev. John Rosbrugh lived on farm now owned by Reuben Weaver, in East Allen. 
He was a member of Captain Bay's Company of Militia, commissioned Chaplain 
of Third Battallion of Northampton County Militia, December 26th, 1776, and 
was killed at the battle of Trenton. A tombstone, erected to his memory, 
stands in the old Presbyterian graveyard, near Weaversville.


                                    ROADS.

  The roads from Nazareth to Archibald Laird's was laid out
December 11th and 12th, 1761, by William Craig. That from Frederick Nagel, 
in Moore, to the Stone Church, in 1778, and from the latter to church in 
Plainfield, in June, 1779.

  The road from the Blue Mountain to Caspar Erb's, on August 28th, 1764, 
Road from John Walker's to Bethlehem, May 23d, 1767. One of the earliest 
roads, the records of which has fallen under our notice, was that from 
Nazareth to the Lower Irish settlement, (Archibald Laird's) laid out 
September 13th, 1759.


                                OLD HOUSE.

  There is still standing on farm of Henry Hiestand, in Allen, an ancient 
log-house, the logs of which were cut previous to 1749.


                                TANNERIES.

  The oldest tannery known, date back to 1784, and was carried on by
Simon Dreisbach a long time.  It was situated on lands now occupied by 
Stephen Laubach, in Allen township.

  John Hays had a tannery on lands now owned by Horner and Brown, in 
Weaversville, East Allen. In 1804 he sold it to Michael Weaver, who had 
during the years 1790 to 1803, carried on a tannery on his fathers farm, 
now owned by Dr. H. H. Riegel.  Mr. Weaver and his son continued tanning on 
the Hays site, until 1867.


                               EARLY STORES.

  There is a tradition that, many years ago, two brothers by the name of 
Gallagher, kept a small store in what is now Howertown. Conrad Kreider also 
kept a store, at Kreidersville, after whom the village was, named. He 
served during the Revolution as wagon-master, and died in 1828, at an 
advanced age. Both these stores were in the present territory of Allen.
Thomas McKean kept a store for many years on the Monocacy, in what is now 
East Allen township, about one mile from Bath, Nicholas Neligh and Michael 
Weaver were also merchants, the former kept store on farm now owned by John 
William, and the latter in a small frame building, opposite the store now 
kept by John Hower, at Weaversville.


                            EARLY POST ROUTES.

  From the following paper, it appears that there was a post route 
established from Philadelphia, in 1775, viz: "We, the subscribes 
inhabitants of Allen township, in the county of Northampton, and Province 
of Pennsylvania, do promise each man for himself respectively, to pay the 
sums to our names affixed, unto the post-rider for his trouble and pains in 
carrying each of our newspaper from Philadelphia to John Hays, Jr., or 
Neigel Grays, in said township, once every week, for the space or term of 
twelve months, from the date hereof; but if the said post-rider shall 
neglect to carry said papers and lodge them as aforesaid, (extremity of 
weather excepted) he shall not be entitled to this subscription. And for 
confirmation of the above agreement, the said parties have hereunto set 
their hands, the second day of October, 1775."

JNO. ROSBRUGH, 
JOHN HAYS,
JOHN RALSTON, 
JOHN WALKER,
JAMES ALLISON, 
NEIGEL GRAY,
WM. CARRUTHERS,
ROBERT LATTIMORE


                                 POST VILLAGES.

There are three post villages in Allen:

  Kreidersville, named for Conrad Kreider, Sr., as before mentioned, is 
situated on the road from Howertown to the Lehigh Water Gap. It contains 
about twenty-five houses, including a hotel, store, machine-shop, and 
foundry. The Hokendauqua Creek bounds the village on three sides.

  Siegfried's Bridge, situated on the Lehigh River and Canal, and the Lehigh 
and Susquehanna Railroad, contains a tavern, store, lumber and coal yard, 
wheelwright-shop, blacksmith-shop, and a number of dwellings. Formerly 
there was a ferry across the river called Siegfried's Ferry.

   The first bridge across the river was built in 1828. This place derives 
its name from Colonel John Siegfried, who settled there about 1770, and 
kept the ferry and a tavern.

   He was a Colonel of Militia in the Revolution, and participated in the 
battles of Trenton, Germantown, Brandywine, Rod Bank, and Monmouth. He died 
November 27th, 1793, aged forty-eight years and one month, and was buried 
in the old burying ground at Siegfried's Bridge.

  Stemton is situated on the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, at the 
confluence of the Hokendauqua Creek and the Lehigh River. It was laid out 
in 1867 by George H. Stem. It has a beautiful location and contains about 
fifty dwellings, including a number of elegant residences. The extensive 
car works were erected in 1867, by George H. Stem & Co., and in 1871 were 
incorporated as the Lehigh Car Manufacturing Company, to which was 
afterwards added the manufacturing of spring and farm wagons.

  The graded school reflects credit on the citizens of the place across the 
river joins Stemton with Coplay, in Lehigh county.

  The facilities for the accommodation of the citizens are equal to those 
in any village of its size on the Lehigh.

  In the township of East Allen, the only post office is that of 
Weaversville, which was established April 23d, 1831. Michael Weaver being 
the first postmaster. After his death he was succeeded by his son Samuel 
(appointed in 1835), who kept it until his death, in 1863, when 
William Weaver (son of Samuel) was appointed. Upon the resignation of the 
latter, in 1868, the present postmaster -John Horner -was appointed. The post 
office at Bath, will be found noticed in the history of that borough.


                                   MILLS.

  There are six flouring-mills in Allen, situated on the Hokendauqua Creek. 
The first mill was built, by Thomas Wilson, at a very early day. It stood 
near where the mill of J. Howell & Sons is now standing. The mill at 
Stemton, owned by the heirs of Samuel Laubach, and now carried on by W. F. 
Laubach, was built by Henry Beil, 1796, as appears from the following 
paper, viz. 

HENRY BEIL,                                 PHILADELPHIA, May 18th, 1776

                       Bought of MICHAEL GUNKEL

One pair four foot six inch burr mill-stones           £65
One four foot runner                                    30
                                                       ___
                                                       £95

                Received £75 on account M. GUNCKEL.

  N. B.-The above mill-stones are warranted. MICHAEL GUNCKEL.

  Abraham Leh's mill, about a mile and a half from Siegfried's Bridge,
was built by Christopher Baer, about 1791, and formerly called Stoffel 
Baer's Mill.

  The large flouring-mill, near Kreidersville, we, built by Conrad Kreider, Sr., 
about sixty-five years ago, and is now owned by John Laubach, Jr.

  Becker Brothers' mill, situated about a mile from the Store Church, was 
built by John Hiestand, in 1856, on an old mill site, which was, sold 
September 13th, 1800, by Jacob Stetler to Conrad Kreider, Sr., who 
afterwards sold it to J. Zeigler.

  There is but one saw-mill in Allen. This is situated near the 
flouring-mill at Stemton, near the residence of David Levan, the ruins of a 
paper-mill are still to be seen, where paper manufacturing was formerly 
carried on by his ancestors.

  There are three mills in East Allen, on Catasauqua Creek. 

  The first gristmill was built by the Craig family before 1850, and was 
situated near the site of the one built by Henry Epple, in 1805, and now 
owned by A. Reichard.

  The mill Dow owned by Samuel Jacoby, situated about two miles from the 
source of the Catasauqua, was built by David Deshler, 1829.


242 

  Fatzinger's Mill, located at Weaversville, was formerly called Hays Mill, 
having been built in 1790, by John Hays, Jr., who was a very prominent man, 
and a son of John Hays, Jr., who kept a public house on the road from 
Bethlehem to Gnadenhuetten, during the Indian wars.

  In 1760, he and Frederick Post (Moravian Missionary) were appointed by the 
Provincial Government to attend the great Indian Council, then to be held 
by the Western Indians beyond the Ohio River, but they were compelled to 
return, being refused passage through the Seneca country He was Captain of 
Militia during the Revolution and participated in the battle of Trenton, He 
died in November, 1796, leaving a widow and thirteen children, namely: 

John
James
Jean
Elizabeth 
Ann
William
Isabella
Robert
Thomas
Richard
Samuel
Mary
Rebecca

  His property, of over four hundred acres of land in different parts of 
Northampton county, was divided among the three sons
James
William
Robert
  The grist-mill was allotted to James, who, in January, 1827, sold it to 
Jacob Fatzanger, Esq., the present owner.


                                BLACKSMITHS.
  There are, at present, five blacksmith-shops in Allen.
One of the first blacksmiths in East Allen was Godfrey Lowry, who served 
during the Revolutionary War, His residence and shop were on the farm now 
owned by Robert Daniel. There are, two blacksmith-shops in East Allen at 
present.


                               DISTILLERIES.

  Distilling has been carried on extensively, in the past, by

General William Lattimore
A. & J. Hagenbuch
Howell & Son
J. Laubach
Peter Laubach
Jacob Baer 
Conrad Laubach

  The license of the latter bears date of August 20th, 1798, permitting him 
to distill for the term of two weeks, with a capacity of thirty-seven 
gallons, for which he was to pay a duty of six cents per gallon. These were 
all in Allen.


                                RAILROADS.

  The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad passes through Allen township, along 
the Lehigh River; the stations being Laubach's near (Stemton), and 
Siegfried's Bridge.

  The Bath Railroad, extending from Chapman's borough, Moore township, and 
intersecting the main line at Bethlehem, passes through the eastern part of 
East Allen township.


                               SCHOOLS.

  One of the first school houses in East Allen was the one called "Snyder 
School House," between Bath and Weaversville. The original lot contained 
six acres and sixty-seven perches; and, as shown by papers, an agreement 
was entered into, February 18th, 1776, by George and Johannes Koch, Geo. 
Spengler, and Johannes Schneider, for the erection, on the lot, of a school 
house; which was shortly afterwards done. It was also used as a dwelling 
house, for the schoolmaster. 

  The present brick structure, erected in 1867, is the third school house 
built on the premises.

  The Second school house was built in 1838, and among the prominent 
persons who, in early life, attended this school, was the Hon. Joseph 
Laubach, of Bethlehem.

  Many residents will doubtless remember the old school house at the 
Presbyterian church, almost one mile from Weaversville. It was demolished 
in 1873, and a new one erected a short distance from its site. 

  The original lot contained twenty perches. The subscription agreement for 
the erection of the first building, specified that it should be "thirty by 
twenty feet in the clear, and one story high of stone work; that the said 
School house and session house shall be enclosed in one wall, and under one 
roof.  And next the high road that leads from Easton to Mr. Kreider's 
tavern; that each subscriber shall pay or cause to be paid the sum annexed 
to their names, for the purpose aforesaid, on or before, the twenty-seventh 
of November ensuing, the date hereof, unto the hands of John Hays; 
witnessed our hand, this twenty-seventh day of March, 1791."

  The list if subscribers embraced forty-one names, and the amounts, ranged 
from 1s. l0d £5, the total amount being £37, 1s, 74d.

  The following clause, relating to this subscription, is found in an 
article of May 11th, 1791, signed by ten persons: "And now, after 
consulting and deliberating the matter, we find that the compass or extent 
mentioned in the said  subscription for that house, would not be 
sufficient, and would be too small and little for such a number of 
inhabitants in that vicinity; therefore we, the subscribers hereof, leave 
the matter now entirely to the trustees-John McNair, Christian Hagenbuch, 
and James Carr-and give them license to build the house in largeness, as they 
think proper, to their own conclusion."


  Among the early teachers of this school were
Joseph Burke
Samuel Morrison
Mory
Satterlee
Jones
More, 
D. McNahab
McGregor
J. T. Simpson
C. Leonard
H. Goffe
T. Moffat
Lewis Reeder
S. Carry
D. M. Fox
Morgan
Hunter
Wallace
J. Childs
J. Burlingame
T. Barr
John Horner
G. D. Stewart
G. B. Smith
Dr. D. Yoder
E. H. Werst

  There are eight school houses in Allen, the first, "Levan's," at Siegfried's Bridge, 
was erected about the year 1793, on lands conveyed by Colonel John Siegfried, 
Michael Beaver, and A. Levan to Henry Biel and Peter Butz, in trust for a school. 
The survey was made by Samuel Rees, in 1793, and contained one hundred and 
twenty-three and a half perches, but now contains only severity-six perches. 

   The first school-house was built of logs, was taken down in 1847, and a 
brick structure erected, which was enlarged in 1863. In the spring of 1874, 
a larger house being required, it gave place to the present brick building, 
which is furnished with modern apparatus, and is a graded school. It was 
dedicated September 27th, 1874, Rev R. Leisberger and Rev. Rittenhouse 
officiated. Music was furnished by the Stone Church choir.


                            ACADEMIES (EAST ALLEN).

  During the years 1783-1790, the Presbyterian Congregation erected a large 
stone academy on the Monocacy, about a mile from Bath. It was also used 
many years as a place of worship, and was lately taken down. From an old 
draft, it appears that it was built by a few young men, and was called the 
Allen Township Academy, and had, at one time, a fine library. James Brown, 
by his last will and testament, dated July 17th, 1800 bequeathed to it the 
sum of fifty pounds.


                            WEAVERSVILLE ACADEMY.

  IS pleasantly situated in the village of Weaversville, in the midst of a 
fine, healthy, agricultural country. It wits built, in 1856, mainly through 
the exertions of a few neighbors, who, at a meeting, appointed the 
following persons to receive proposals for its erection, viz:

Jacob Fatzinger
Jacob Bear
Isaac Baker
John Laubach
John Laubach was the builder

The first Board of Trustees were: 

George Hower, President
E. F. Martin, M.D.
Jacob Fatzitigrer
Daniel Biery
Jonas Lichtenwalner
David Weaver
Samuel Weaver, Secretary

  The School was opened in 1856. The following are the names of its 
Principals, viz:

Hiram F. Savage
R. L. Buehrle
Ralph Pendleton
Abraham F. Kind
Rev. Jr. P. Bender
Professor C. E Kummer, its present Principal


  There are, four churches in Allen township; two Lutheran and Reformed, one 
Mennonite, and one Methodist. The oldest of these is

                              ZION'S CHURCH.

  Of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations. It is situated near Kreidersville, 
and the building hire generally been known as the "Stone Church."

  The first organization was on the twenty-fifth of February 1771.

Adam Dreisbach
Caspar Erb
Simon Dreisbach
Valentine Waltman
George Edelman, and 
George Michael Sebastian 

were appointed a Building Committee, who, on the ninth of November of that year, 
made the following contracts for its erection, viz: with George Dreisbach 
John Diefenderfer, for all manner of carpenter work, £46 (consideration); 
with John Camus, for all manner of joiner work, 
£51 with Jacob Fasbinder, for all mason work, £45

  The original lot contained one acre and one hundred and fifty-two 
perches, and was purchased from Peter Fried, by deed, dated 
December 7th, 1771, consideration, £3. 

  In the month of April, 1772, steps were taken towards its erection, and 
the corner-stone was laid on the eighteenth of June, following, on which 
occasion services were held by Revs, Pitthahn, Reformed, and Friederich, 
Lutheran, ministers.

  The following articles were deposited in the corner-stone, viz: a New 
Testament, and Lutheran and German Reformed Catechisms. It was consecrated 
on the fifteenth of November following, and services were held by Revs. 
Friederich and Helfrich, Lutheran and German Reformed ministers.

  The building expenses, including the church lot, were £399, 1s. 1/2d. The 
first communion in it was held by Rev. Helfrich, Reformed, December 15th, 1772. 

  The Lutheran minister, Rev. J. A. Friederich, held his first communion on 
the sixteenth Sunday after Trinitatis, with sixty-six communicants, and in 
the year 1775 he confirmed the first class in the new church, thirty-two in 
number, among which we find the names

George Buche and wife
Catharine, Peter and Jacob Kunz
George Henry Heimbach
Christoph Shanz
Nicholas Saeger
Conrad Leisenring
Leonhard Lazarus
Wilhelm Lauri
Catharine Antony
Anna Elizabeth Mittenberger
Julianna Seilserling, &c.


243


  At a meeting of the members of this congregation held in the month of 
February  1835, it was decided to build a new church, and the 
Rev. J. C. Becker and F. W. Mendstal. Reformed and Lutheran pastors, were 
appointed to obtain subscribers towards its erection, and the following 
person, were appointed a building committee viz: 
Jonas Snyder and Peter Anewalt, Lutheran

  Jacob Boyer, Jr., and Conrad Reyer, Reformed, who made a contract with Adam 
Hower for its erection, consideration $2,720, and work was commenced on it 
in the mouth of April, 1836. 

   The corner-stone was laid on the twenty-third of May following, on which 
occasion service, were held by Revs. Hoffeditz, of Mount Bethel, and 
Brobst, of Easton. 

  The following articles were deposited in it, viz: A Bible, Lutheran and 
Reformed Catechism, Hymn Book, an Historical account of the size and 
progress of the Congregation, and a copy of its by-laws. 

  It was consecrated on the tenth and eleventh of December following, and 
services were held by Revs. Yeager, Hecht, Dubbs, and Becker. Following are 
the names, of pastors who officiated at this Congregation:

Lutheran

Revs.
J. A. Friederich
Yeager
Geissenhamer
F. W. Mendsen, 
who resigned his charge on the seventeenth of April, 1852, 
after having served it for a period of forty-two years, 
Rev. W. Rath was appointed his successor, who served from the thirty-first 
of October, 1852, until the spring of 1857
when Rev, D. Kunz was appointed, who served until the month of 
September 1869, when the congregation was for some time supplied by 
Rev J. D. Shindel, of Catasauqua
Rev. R. B. Kistler received a call, and served from the month of April 
1870, until his decease in August, 1876. 

  It seems that, at the time of the organization of this church, the 
Reformed Congregation had no regular pastor, but, were occasionally supplied by
Rev. Pitthahn from the Dry Land
Rev. J. E. Hecker from Moore township
also by Revs. Helfrich, Faber, Blummer, and Steiner, of whom the latter 
afterwards took charge of and served as pastor until his decease on the 
fourteenth of November, 1781, when the congregation wits supplied by 
differents, among which was F. W. Van Der Sloot, who afterwards took charge 
of it, and served for about eleven years, when, in the year 1810
Rev. J. C. Becker was appointed his successor, who served until 
April 1st, 1852, when his son, Rev. Charles Becker was appointed his 
successor, who served from October 17th, 1852, to October, 1854, 

  Prof A. J. G, Dubbs was appointed, who served from October 15th, 1854, 
till April, 1857, when Rev. R. A. Vaucourt was appointed, who served from 
October 1st, 1857, till January 10th, 1859, His successor was
Rev. J. Gauntenbein, who served from October, 1859, till April 1865, 
Rev. R. A. Liesberger took charge of it, and served until March, 1870, when 
Rev. S. A. Leinbach took charge, and served one year, when Rev, - 
Rittenhouse, its present pastor, was appointed his successor.

  On the first of September 1870, an interesting reunion of the present and 
former pastors, organists, members of the congregation, as well as officers, 
teachers and scholars of its Sabbath-school was held at this church. 

  The first Sabbath-school at this place was organized in the year 1825, by 
Rev. J. C. Becker and Col. George Weber. Zion's Church celebrated its 
Centennial on the twenty-first of September 1871.


                 THE MENNONITE MEETING HOUSE

  Is situated on the road from Bethlehem to Cherryville, about two miles 
from Weaversville, on lands granted by Thomas Horner and wife, by deed, 
dated February 11th, 1802, to 
Jacob Haer
Jacob Hiestand
John Ziegler
Samuel Landis, 
in trust for the benefit of the Mennonite Congregation in 
Whitehall and Allen townships. At a meeting of the members of said 
congregation, held in the year 1802, it was decided to erect a 
meeting-house on said lot, to be built of wood, and its dimensions, to be 
30 x 26 feet, and John Ziegler and Samuel Funk were, appointed a building 
committee, and it was also immediately erected; the necessary funds being 
raised by subscription. The number of subscribers was twenty-eight, and the 
amount raised was £84. 4s., subscribed in sums varying from 3s. 4d. to £12.


                                    SALEM CHURCH

  Of the Evangelical Congregation (German Methodist), is also situated on 
the Bethlehem road, a short distance from the Mennonite Meeting-house, and 
was erected in the year 1862.


                                 ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

  (Lutheran and Reformed) was organized on the 20th day of April, 1833, and 
articles of agreement, were made between John Hagenbuch of Allen township, 
of the one part and 

Daniel Levan
Peter Laubach
John Rhode
George Hower
Henry Klein
Jacob Beil
Conrad Bell
Jacob Deshler, 

and others, inhabitants of Allen township, of the other part, whereby the 
said John Hagenbuch, agreed to convey unto the subscriber, aforesaid, all his 
right and title to four and to half acres of land, situated in the township 
aforesaid, either on the east or west side of the Bethlehem road, as the 
subscribers may think proper, adjoining said road, and lands of David Deshlet, 
for the purpose of erecting a church thereon.

  The said John Hagenbuch further bound himself to give the above mentioned 
lot of land, and one hundred and twenty-five dollar, in money, provided 
said church he built on the aforesaid land.  At a meeting of the 
inhabitants of Allen township, held at the house of Jacob Boyer, 
February 1st, 1834, it was decided to build a new church on the lands 
above described, and Jacob Boyer, Peter Laubach, George Hower, and Jacob 
Bell, were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.

  At another meeting held December 29th, the following persons were 
appointed as officers, viz: 

Lutheran-Elders, Abraham Hartman and Henry Klein

Deacons, John Heberhug, Daniel Miller, and George Shaffer

Trustee, Conrad Beil

Reformed-Elders, George Weber and John Koch

Deacons, 
George Audenreid
Samuel Muffley
David Deshler 
Peter Strauss

Trustee, David Blien 

  The following persons were appointed as a building committee, viz:
Daniel Levan
Jacob Boyer
Jacob Beil
Jacob Fatzinger, 
who, on the twenty-ninth day of November, 1834, entered 
into an agreement with John J. Levers, of Bethlehem, for its erection 
(consideration $3,200), the congregation, however, binding themselves to 
dig the foundation, and deliver the stones necessary for its erection.

  It was also specified that it, was to be built of stone, 50 x 55 feet. 
From the following papers we find that the cornerstone was laid in the 
mouth of June 1835, viz: "The corner-stone of a new church, near Howertown, 
Allen township, will be laid on the 8th day of June next. On which occasion 
appropriate discourses will be delivered. It is expected that the Bethlehem 
band of music will be present, to add to the solemnity of the occasion of 
the day. All friends of Christian worship are respectfully invited."

  May 21st, 1835. By order of the building committee, appropriate addresses 
were delivered by Revs, J. C. Becker, F. W. Mendson, and A. Fuchs. The 
church was consecrated on the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth of December, 
1835, and the following ministers took part in its consecration, viz:  Revs. 
J. C. Becker
- Wolf
F. W. Mendsen
A. Fuchs
Rev. Leslie Irvin. 

Its total cost, was $3,685

  Following are the names of the pastors of this congregation, viz: 
Lutheran, Rev. Augustus Fuchs, from February 28th, 1836, until the spring 
of 1875, when he resigned on account of ill health still old age, when the 
congregation was supplied by different ministers, until the month of 
November 1876, when the Rev. S. A. Ziegenfuss, the present pastor, took 
charge of it.

   The First Reformed pastor was Rev. J. C. Becker, who served until his 
decease in September 1858, when his son, Rev. C. J. Becker, its present 
pastor, was appointed his successor. The first Sabbath-school at this 
church, was organized about the year 1847.


                             SECEDERS CHURCH.

  It seems that during the year 1741 and 1768, there was a division in the 
Presbyterian Church, and that a portion of the members of the English 
Presbyterian Congregation, of Allen township, seceded from it and built a 
house of worship at Howertown, on lands now owned by John Laubach. Aged 
persons, still living, remember having seen the ruins of the church.

  There are three churches in East Allen township, viz: 

One Lutheran
one German Reformed
one Presbyterian


                          THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

  Is situated near Weaversville. The exact date of the erection of the first 
church at this place, is unknown; it stood a little southeast of the present one.

  The second church was built of logs, and stood on the north side, of the 
public road leading from Kreidersville to Bath, opposite the house now 
occupied by Absalom Reichard.

  From data in our possession, it appears that it was built in the year 
1772, or soon after. The present church was commenced in the year 1813, 
but, not completed until the year 1818. 

  It was remodeled in the year 1870, and rededicated for divine service,
Dec. 4th, 1870. This congregation was incorporated in the year 1796, under 
the name of the English Presbyterian Congregation, of Allen township. 

  The burying ground connected with this church, is one of the oldest in 
the county. The oldest inscription is on the tombstone of James King, viz:
"Here lieth the body of James King, who departed this life, 
April, 30th 1745, aged thirty-eight years."

  Tradition says that in earlier times the dead were brought to this burying 
place for interment from a great distance.  Many noted persons are buried here. 


244


Following are copies of inscriptions on some of the tombstones:

"In memory of Samuel Brown, who departed this life, the 11th of June 1798, 
aged eighty-four years."

"Saved of the memory of General Robert Brown, a Patriot and Soldier of the 
Revolution, died February 26th, 1823, aged 78 years and two months."

"In memory of James Brown, who departed this life, September 8th, 1800, 
aged forty-six years."

"In memory of Joseph Perry, who died Jane 26th, 1766, aged fifty-five years."

In memory of Jane Rosebrugh, who departed this life, March 27th, 1809, aged
seventy years.  Relict of the Rev. John Rusbrugh, a former pastor of this 
congregation, who fell a victim to British cruelty, at Trenton January 2d, 1777."

"Sacred to the memory of John Ralston, who departed this life, 
Feb. 17th, 1795, aged sixty years."

"In memo" of Thomas Herron, who died October 4th, 1772, aged sixty-three years."

Sacred to the memory of John McNair, Sr., who departed this life, 
April 5th, 1762, aged seventy-two years.

"In memory of Hugh Wilson, Esq., who was born in Ireland, A. D., 1689.
 Departed this life, in the autumn of 1773, aged eighty-four year."

"In memory of James Horner, who departed this life, May 1st, 1793, aged 
eighty-two years."

"In memory of Jean, the wife of James Horner, who suffered death at the 
hands of savage Indians, eighth of October, 1763, aged fifty years."

"In memory of Robert Gregg, who departed this life, March 9th, 1756, in the 
fortieth year of his age."

"Sacred to the memory of Dr. Matthew McHenry, who departed this life, 
December 13th, 1783, in the 40th year of his age."

"Sacred to the memory of Colonel Nicholas Neligh, born A. D. 1768, died 
June 15th, 1816, aged forty-eight years.


               ST. PETER'S CHURCH-(Lutheran and Reformed),

Is situated in East Allen, about three miles from Weaversville. Its 
corner-stone was laid August 2d, 1874; services were held by 
Revs. Fritzinger, Rittenhouse, and Liesberger Reformed; 
and Rev. R. A. Histler, Lutheran minister

  The following articles were placed in the corner-stone, viz a copy of the 
Holy Bible, Lutheran Hymn Book, Reformed Hymn Book, Lutheran Catechism, 
German Reformed Catechism, copy of Lutheran Zeitschrift, copy of 
Hausfreund, Lutheran Almanac, of 1874, and a list of the church officers. 
It was dedicated on the sixth of June 1875.

  The services were commenced on Saturday afternoon previous, when the 
church officers were installed by Rev. M. J. Krarnlich. 

  The following ministers took part in its consecration, viz:
Revs. Isaac K. Loos, of Bethlehem
David Kuntz, of Nazareth
A. R. Horne, of Kutztown
Robert Liesberger, Reformed
M. J. Kramlich, Lutheran, present (1877) pastors

  The location of this church is on the site of the old Schneider's 
school-house, which has become well known throughout the county, the site 
is a magnificent one, on the summit of a hill, about two hundred and fifty 
feet above the level of the country, overlooking a beautiful valley.

  The church is brick, 64 x 44 feet, two-story, surmounted by a neat spire, 
On the first floor is a large Sunday-school room neatly furnished, and on 
the second floor the main room. The seats are neat, comfortable and in 
keeping with the simplicity of the chancel and pulpit. The pulpit occupies 
the east and the choir the west end of the church. The church was erected 
at an expense of about $7,000.


                               BURIAL PLACES

Within the township of East Allen, besides the ancient Presbyterian 
Graveyard, already mentioned, there is also an old burying-ground on lands 
of Henry Hiestand, a short distance from the road about half way from 
Kreidersville to Bethlehem. It is enclosed by a stone wall and was formerly 
used by the Musselman and Hiestand families. 

  The following are copies of inscriptions on some of the tombstones: 

Sacred to the memory of Jacob Musselman, born November 1730, died May 16th, 1784; 
aged 53 years, 5 months, and 1 day. 

Maria Musselman, born 1739, died March 27th, 1823; aged 84 years and 1 month

Jacob Hiestand and wife were also interred here; the former died in his 
eighty-fifth year, and the latter when ninety

  On Solomon Steinmetz's farm there is an old burying-ground, used by the
Gross family.

The following is an inscription on a tombstone, viz: Here lies the body of 
Peter Gross, born in the year 1769, died March 12th, 1782.


  In Allen township there is an old Mennonite burying-ground at Siegfried's
Bridge. This congregation had also a church at this place, which was 
erected as shown by a draft of the land, previous to 1761, and tradition 
says that the early worshipers were frequently disturbed by the Indians. 

  Among the early members of this church, we find the names of 
Jacob and Ulrich Showalter
Christopher Baer
Mr. Basler

Col. John Siegfried, of Revolutionary celebrity, was interred in this 
graveyard, and on his tombstone is an inscription in the English and German 
languages. 

  By an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, January 19th, 1829, Mr. 
Jacob Funk, was authorized to sell enough of the land to defray the expense 
of erecting a permanent stone wall around that part of the lot appropriated 
for a graveyard. He sold a part of the land to D. R. Siegfried, 
January 20th, 1842, and erected the enclosing wall.


                             THE "PAGE FARM"

This farm is located at Weaversville, containing thirty-two acres highly 
cultivated, and owned by W. R. Houser. 



                      PICTURE OF PAGE FARM APPEARS HERE



It derives this name from being a part of the 1,500 acre tract called the  
"Manor of Chawton" patented to Sir John Page of London, England, September 11th 1735.

  Sir John bequeathed it to Evan Patterson, of London, July 18th, 1741. 
He, through his attorneys, granted two hundred and thirty-one acres unto 
Mary King, December 4th, 1750, and she, by deed dated January 29th, 
1763,granted one hundred and eight acres and ninety-four perches, unto her 
son-in-law, John Hays, Jr., who died November, 1796, while on a journey to 
Fort Pitt, (now Pittsburg) leaving his property to his sons-
Robert
William
James.

  The former became possessor of the homestead, now owned by David Keller, 
which he sold to Michael Weaver, in 1803, who in turn sold fifteen item and 
one hundred and thirty-six perches to Christian Hagenbuch.

  Shortly after his death in 1812, it passed into the hands of Magdelena, 
and Elizabeth Hagenbuch. The former marrying Joseph Kerr, conveyed the land 
to the husband, of the latter, Jacob Deshler, who conveyed the same, 
April 8th, 1839, to his son-in-law, the late Dr. E. F. Martin.

  The heirs of Dr. Martin sold it to the present owner, W. R. Houser, who 
has added to it seventeen acres, also of the original "Page" tract, Mr. 
Houser has made a speciality of stocking this farm with fine Jersey cattle, 
and other desirable stock.