AREA HISTORY:  Historic Old House, Hellam Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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AN HISTORIC OLD HOUSE – Page 604

The following cut represents the first large stone house, so far as is known, 
that was erected within the limits of York County.  It was built by John Shultz 
and his wife Christina in the year 1734, at a time when there were doubtless no 
other two-story houses west of the Susquehanna.  It was originally in Hellam 
Township.  Since the formation of Spring Garden, it is situated in that township 
and belongs to the Glatz estate.  Hon. A. Hiestand Glatz, who takes great 
interest in the relics of the past, some years ago procured a cut of this 
landmark, and upon request kindly allowed its insertion in this work.  This 
house, still in use, is an excellent state of preservation, even though it is 
now (1885) one hundred and fifty-one years old.

In its early history it was one of the old time public inns, and if it could 
speak might tell many an interesting story of our colonial days as well as of 
Revolutionary times.  A well authenticated tradition asserts that on the 30th of 
September, 1777, the members of the Continental Congress, while on their way 
from Philadelphia to York to make the last-named place the seat of government 
during the British invasion of Pennsylvania and occupancy of Philadelphia, 
stopped at this house for rest and refreshment.  They were traveling on 
horseback, and the saddles used by those distinguished patriots greatly excited 
the curiosity of the surrounding populace, who were then unaccustomed to seeing 
such expensive luxuries.

The house is quaint and antique in design, though yet a convenient and 
comfortable residence.  One of the walls contains the following words, carefully 
carved on a sandstone tablet:
“17ano34 Hab ich, Johann Schvltz, and Cristina Seine frav dises havs-bavt.”

Translation:  In the year 1734, John Schultz and his wife, Christina, built this 
house.

Not far from this house is the site of the Revolutionary prison, described in 
the history of Windsor Township.