Papers Read

BEFORE THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY of Frankford.

Vol. 2. No. 1.

THE FRANKFORD GAZETTE"

1909.

Papers Read

BEFORE THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY of Frankford,

Vol. 2. No. 1.

"THE FRANKFORD GAZETTE"

1909.

CONTENTS

[PAG E]

The Bells of Frankford, - BY MIS., MARY P. ALLEN.

An Old-Fashioned Garden of Frankford, 2 By .111SI, MARY P. ALLEN.

The Old Frankford Academy, - - 4 By RORERT T. CORSON.

Edward Stiles, - - - - 12 By (1I:RNsEy A. IIALLOWELL.

The Main Street of Frankford During

the " Thirties," - - - 19 By DAVID S. RORER.

Minutes of Meeting held May 26th, 1908, 38

THE BELLS OF FRANKFORD.

By Miss Mary P. Allen.

Published under the Direction of the Committee on History of the

Historical Society of Frankford.

The bell which formerly hung in the steeple of the Washing-ton Fire Engine Company was bought with money raised by sub-scription, and in due time a sufficient sum was gathered together, and the bell was purchased in 1846. It was rung for the first time in December of that year. All Frankford was Interested.

The Washington Fire Company house stood on Frankford avenue, above Sellers street, where the present building of the Paid Fire Department stands.

The ground for the engine house was given by the Rev. Isaac Worrell. It formed a part of his garden.

The Washington Fire Engine House was surmounted by a wooden steeple, painted white. It was a primitive affair in com- parison with the sky scrapers of the present day, but it was con-sidered a tower of Babel at that time, and the pride of the town. In coming from the city, as one approached the bridge over the Frankford Creek, the steeple could be seen lifting its head above the surrounding buildings.

From the time the bell was placed in position, until the build-ing was removed, it rang, not only for fires, but on all great occa-sions. The Fourth of July was the day of days on which it dis-played its patriotism.

The good old man of the town who superintended the patri-otic exercises on that day began the ringing of the hell at five o'clock in the morning, and continued it at stated intervals all day. Although in those times patriotism ran very high, the continuous ringing of the "Washy" bell, as it was called, became trying to sensitive ears, but the bell ringer, in whose mind historical events were somewhat confused, always replied, when a suggestion was made to have it rung at longer intervals, "Cornwallis grounded his

arms, Cornwallis grounded his arms; the bell must ring without ceasing," which it did do. There is a tradition that on one occa-sion the bell ringer commanded it to be rung every fifteen minutes, and to ring fifteen strokes.

One of the first bells of Frankford was the Academy bell, which hung in a cupola on the north end of the Academy Building. The Decatur Hose Company also had a bell at an early date.

The bell of St. Joachim's Church was rung for the first time on April 10, 1859. The Frankford Herald states that the ceremony of blessing the bell in St. Joachim's Church was performed by Bishop Neuman on April To, 1859. In the afternoon the Rev. Dr. Moriarty delivered a lecture, at which an offering was taken to assist in paying for the bell.

On Christmas Day, 1859, at 6 o'clock in the morning, St. Mark's Church bell was rung for the first time. The Rev. Dr. Miller states this bell was purchased with money collected by the children of the Sunday school.

When the new German Lutheran Church was built, at Tacka-wanna and Plum streets, a bell was placed in its steeple.

There was at one time a bell in the Fifteenth District Station House, which rang on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve.

This list of bells comprises all the bells that ever rang in Frank-ford.

AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN OF FRANKFORD.

By Miss Mary P. Allen.

Published under the Direction of the Committee on History of the Historical Society of Frankford.

Memory recalls an "Old-fashioned Garden" of sixty-five years ago. Its walks were bordered with box bush. Unlike the gardens of to-day, it was filled with herbs and flowers, growing in pictur-esque carelessness. No landscape gardening flourished in this locality at that time.

The garden belonged to a Mrs. Wylin. She may be remem-

bered by others living among us at the present time. The garden grew on the corner of what is now known as Frankford avenue and Overington street. The ground is occupied by our Free Library Building, and the hail in which we are assembled covers the beds once sweet with ragged robins, larkspurs, lady slippers and phlox,pansies, heliotrope1verbenas and daisies hundred-leafed rose bushes, lilies of the valley, four o'ciocks, periwinkles, prince's feather and clumps of old man. Every kind of herb grew in the garden—thyme, parsley, sweet marjoram, sage, onions, mustard seeds and many other varieties valuable for their healing qualities.

At the end of the garden, like sentinels on guard, stood a hedge of sunflowers and hollyhocks. On days when soup was to be made the children were sent with pennies to this ancient garden to pur-chase the herbs used in flavoring this delightful concoction. The old lady procured her scissors, and, with the little purchaser by her side, walked in and around the various beds, cutting here and there sprigs of the desired herbs. Her tall form, bent to the ground in gathering the soup nosegay, is vividly remembered by the writer. The garden has passed away, and in its place flowers of the intel-lect flourish on shelves and tables. Yet the memory of the flowers of long ago in the quaint, old-fashioned garden remains with those who knew it, a living fragrance.

3

THE OLD FRANKFORD ACADEMY. 1800-1879.

An Address Delivered Before the Frankford Historical Society by Robert T. Corson.

Published under the Direction of the Committee on History of the Historical Society of Frankford.

In a former address delivered before this Society on the "First School-house in Frankford," I traced the history of education in Frank-ford from 1768, when the old school-house at Wain and Spring streets was erected, until it was sold, in 1798.

At that time, the children having become more numerous than the old building could accommodate, and a desire on the part of some of the inhabitants for a higher education for their children than the old school furnished, which at best was not more than the usual school found at that time in country villages, teaching principally the three R's —reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic—a meeting of the original contributors to the fund to erect the old school building was called, at which the subject of enlarging the building or dividing the school was discussed. Frankford at this time, and for some years prior had received a con-siderable increase in its population, largely on account of the yellow fever in the city. in 1793 and subsequent years. Many of the residents of the city found Frankford a healthy place of refuge for their fami-lies in the summer, while the yellow fever prevailed in the city, and some of these continued to reside here the year round. To these new-comers, many of them well-to-do, and to the demands on the part of the older residents for something approaching the education furnished at the Germantown Academy, at that early day a celebrated school, we doubtless owe our own Academy.

At the meeting of the contributors to the old school-house it was decided not to enlarge the school-house, arid, as expressed in the record of their proceedings, the "subscribers who were of the religious society of people called 'Quakers,' being, as nearly as could be estimated, about one-half of the whole number and value of the original contributors, expressed their desire to divide their interest from the other contribu-tors professing the Christian religion under other denominations, it was

4

amicably agreed to divide the same accordingly, and for that purpose to sell and dispose of said schoolhouse and lot for such sum of money as the same was reasonably worth, and divide the purchase money equally between the contributors of the society of people called Quakers of the one part, and all the other contributors of the other part."

The schoolhouse and lot having been appraised, at a meeting of the contributors and their successors or heirs, held in the schoolhouse on the eleventh day of the tenth month (October), 1798, it was agreed that Rudolf Neff and Isaiah Farrell, the surviving trustees, should sell the schoolhouse and lot and pay one-half of the moneys arising there-from unto the committee appointed by the Oxford Co-operative Meet-ing of the people called Quakers, to be applied toward building a school-house under the separate direction of said Meeting, and the other half of said moneys unto Trustees appointed by the other contributors and their successors who are not members of that society, to be applied by them toward purchasing a lot and erecting a schoolhouse thereon under their separate direction.

The surviving trustees sold the property for $675. The Oxford Preparative Meeting used its share of the proceeds

of the sale to erect the schoolhouse on the meeting house lot about where Oxford street now is, which was used until 1850, when it was torn down so that street could be opened beyond Mulberry street.

The Trustees appointed by the other contributors used their share of the proceeds to buy the lot on Paul street, upon which the Academy was afterward built. The Trustees of the old Schoolhouse Fund were Rudolf Neff, Isaiah Worrell, Isaac Worrell, Alexander Martin, Robert Morris, Benjamin Love, Nathan Harper and Watson Atkinson.

Dr. Enoch Edwards and Peter Neff, both influential citizens and large property owners, took a deep interest in the new school and largely through their influence the Academy was built.

No time was lost in starting the new enterprise, for on March 30 1799, the Supreme Court granted a charter to Enoch Edwards, Johns Ruan, Alexander Martin, Isaac Wormll and Peter Neff under the title of The Trustees of the Frankford Academy.

The Trustees on May 13, 1799, bought from Jacob Lesher for 150 pounds the lot on Paul street between lands of Rudolf Neff and Michael Harman, containing in front on Paul street 12 perches (198 feet) and extending in depth 12 perches (198 feet) to Orchard street.

The lot containing 144 square perches (39,204 square feet) and

except for a few feet taken from the fronts in the widening of Paul street and Orchard street, it has not been reduced in size to this day, and can easily be recognized. It extends from the property belonging to the Sinnott Estate just above Green (now Womrath) street, including the present burying-ground and new Rehoboth Church up to, but does not include the parsonage.

The new building was erected at once. It was substantial, two and one-half stories, of stone, with a frame addition to the northeast, fronting on Paul street, about midway between Green and Ruan streets, the lower end of the building being immediately adjoining the burying-ground and from recollection, I should say it was in size about twenty feet by fifty.

It stood back about 25 feet from Paul street, and at one time had a porch along the entire front and a cupola with a bell; the latter pre-sented by Hannah Gibbs, adorned the northern end, although both had been removed at the time of my earliest recollection. This bell was of about 3 cwt., and was removed in 1847 and offered for sale.

Samuel Huckel, who had it in charge, took it to his residence on Frankford avenue (where Dr. Guernsey now lives). He placed it under a temporary shelter on the lower side of his residence, with a For Sale sign upon it. At that time the police of Frankford consisted of a single constable, of whom thieves evidently were not much afraid, for from this conspicuous place the bell was stolen. It was afterward recovered, but the thieves had broken it in pieces.

It is related that this bell, which was an unusually good one, could be heard as far as Holmesburg and Moorestown, New Jersey. During the time the Decatur Fire Company occupied the building the bell was rung for every alarm of fire.

The very first use to which the new building was put established its semi-public character, which it maintained for so many years, for, until the erection of the building of the Frankford Lyceum, in 1842, it was the only public assembly room in Frankford.

The new building, almost before its completion was used as the temporary home of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Very few people, I am sure, know that our Supreme Court met in Frankford.

I have referred to the yellow fever in Philadelphia in the few trears preceding the erection of the Academy building. In the year }793 the city was afflicted with the worst visit of yellow fever, which hs been described as "a season of frightful calamity, and of the almost

total prostration of the government and industry." At this time the seat of government of the United States was removed to Germantown, the Supreme Court occupying the Germantown Academy.

In 1798, when the city was again visited by the yellow fever, the Germantown Academy was occupied by the Bank of North America.

In 1799, the outbreak of the yellow fever being again feared, the Legislature, on April ioth, passed an act authprizing the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Court of Quarter Sessions, in case the city of Philadelphia should at any time be affected by any infectious or contagious fever, to hold the ses-sions of court now directed by law to be holden in the city of Philadel-phia, in any part of the county of Philadelphia.

In pursuance of this authority the Supreme Court, by an order dated August 24, 1799, authorized September Term to be held in the Academy. The order which is entered at large in Appearance Docket No. 35, page 553, is as follows:

"Whereas, at a meeting of the Justices of the Supreme Court, on Saturday, 24th day of August, 1799, it appearing to them that the city of Philadelphia is at present afflicted by an infectious or contagious fever, and that there is great probability the said fever will continue for some weeks, it is hereby ordered that the next term of the Supreme Court, which is to commence on Monday, the second day of September next, at Philadelphia aforesaid, be held at the schoolhouse or academy at Frankford village, in the county of Philadelphia, of which all per-sons whom it doth or may concern are to take notice and govern them-selves accordingly. Given under the hands of the said Justices at Phil-adelphia, the said 24th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1799.

"(Signed) "THOS. McKEAN. "EDW. SHIPPEN "THOMAS SMITH.

A similar entry appears in Docket No. 35, page 44. From what I have been able to glean from the records of the Court.

it met at the Academy on September 2, 3, 13 and 14, probably on other days, but on these part[cufar dates T find record of business transacted.

In 2 Yates' Reports, page 528, I find the following reference to the meeting of the Court at Frankford:

The city of Philadelphia having been afflicted by a contagious fever, the Judges of the Supreme Court directed the holding of the last September term at the village of Frankford, in the County of Phila-

delphia, in pursuance of the Act of Assembly passed on the ioth day of April, 1799; but no other business was transacted there except the taking of the returns of Sheriff and the entering of common rules.

The borough of Frankford was organized in the Academy on Monday, May 5, j800.

Section 2 of the Act of Assembly of Pennsylvania, approved March 7, 1800, entitled an act to incorporate the town of Frankford, in the county of Philadelphia, provides that "the freemen of the said borough, who have resided therein one year immediately preceding the day of election, and who are or shall be otherwise qualified agreeably to the Constitution and laws of this State to vote for members of the General Assembly, should meet together at the Frankford Academy for the first election between the hours of 2 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon, on the first Monday in the month of May next, and on that day in the same month annually, and then and there choose by ballot out of such of the inhabitants two suitable persons for Burgesses, the one having the highest number of votes to be the Chief Burgess, and five suitable persons for assistants and also one suitable person for High Constable."

This election resulted in the choice of Isaac Worrell and Peter Neff for Burgesses, Isaiah Worrell, Nathan Harper, Joshua Sullivan, John H. Worrell, Joseph Bolton for Assistants, and John Fe'mire for High Constable, and Frankford from this time until 1854, when by the Consolidation Act it became a part of the great city of Philadelphia, had its own system of government.

The school was organized at once by the trustees of the Academy and until i8o6 was conducted by them. The teachers, so far as I have been able to discover, were Samuel Morrow, Dr. Allison, a minister who occasionally preached in the Presbyterian Church, and afterward founded the Baptist Church, and John Reily.

Samuel Morrow, who was the first teacher, conducted the School until 1804, when he quarreled with the trustees and started a school of his own in the building still standing on Paul street above Ruan street. In the early days of the Academy the school maintained a high reputation and attracted scholars from considerable distances, and some of the pupils became men of distinction, Commodore Decatur and Wil-liam Neff among the number.

Dr. Edwards and Peter Neff having died, the surviving trustees, got into pecuniary difficulties and finally, October io, i8o6, they con-veyed the Academy building and ground to John Reily, the school-

8

master, for the sum of $1 and a mortgage of $1750, which the latter agreed to pay as follows: $400 with interest in one year, $166.67 more in each succeeding year for six years, and the balance, $350, at any time, but to remain secured on the Academy building so long as he should conduct the same as a seminary of learning, and in lieu of interest on this $350 that he or his heirs should educate two children to be designated by the trustees in the rudiments of an English educa-tion. Reily, however, had the option of discharging this condition by paying the $350.

Reily on his part agreed that he would remain as principal teacher in the school for ten years or find some other teacher equally good during said term. After ten years had elapsed, if Reily desired to sell the Academy building the trustees or their successors were to have the option of purchasing the same if they elected to continue it as a school. Thus, after an existence of six years, it ceased to be a public institu-tion. Reily, with Francis Glass and Joseph R. Dickson as his assist-ants, conducted the school for a few years, when, financially embar-rassed, he offered the building and good-will of the school to the trus-tees of the Presbyterian Church, if they would reimburse him for the moneys he had put into the enterprise and pay him the sum of $65 for his globes and maps and indemnify him from his contract with the trustees of the Academy. A committee was appointed, which recom-mended that $200 be paid to John Reily in full for his good will, maps, globes, benches, etc., which the congregation at a meeting held Septem-ber 20, i8o8, agreed to, and the property was conveyed to the Church subject to the mortgage of $1750, which Reily evidently had not reduced in the two and one-half years he had conducted the school.

The trustees then entered upon the management of the Academy, which they conducted with a varying degree of success until 1820.

The teachers during this period, so far as I have been able to ascertain, were Dr. Allison, Rev. John W. Doak, Joseph R. Dickson, Robert McClurg, Samuel Morrow, Elisha Scott, M. Bradford, James Davidson, and - —Foote.

In 18jo the trustees of the church petitioned the Legislature for an appropriation of $8000 to extend the Academy building and to pay Its debts. -They do not appear to have been successful in this, for shortly after we find they again petitioned the Legislature, this time for permission to establish a lottery in aid of the Academy, and again in 1811 they asked aid of the Legislature.

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From the frequent changes of teachers and almost yearly applica-tion to the Legislature for aid, it would appear that the school, at least from a financial standpoint, was not successful.

In 1820 suit was brought by the trustees of the Academy on the mortgage of $1750, which still remained on the property, under which the building and ground was sold by the Sheriff for $620 to Isaiah Worrell, Nathan Harper and Abraham Duffield. The latter afterward bought out his associates and became sole owner.

The earliest account we have of the building says the upper floor was used as a school room and the lower floor for public meetings, and it was in this condition when it was bought by the Methodist Church.

The basement or cellar was used by the Borough authorities as a jail. In the Borough Digest I find that in 1817, after the Borough Council had passed an ordinance to build a jail, a general meeting of the inhabitants of the Borough was called, which directed the Borough Council to rent a suitable building.

The former ordinance was repealed, and a committee, consisting of Thomas W. Duffield, Daniel Thomas, Bela Badger and Thomas Guil-bert, was appointed to rent such suitable place. This committee sub-sequently reported that they had engaged part of the Academy cellar, for which a lease was given by the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Frankford, and also reported that "the Academy cellar is at present fitted up and used as a place of temporary confinement."

The rent from December I, 1817, to May 6, 1820, at the rate of $io per annum, was paid to the Presbyterian Church, the Borough record carefully noting a payment "for two years five months and five days rent for the prison under the Academy, $24.I62, and after this for six years the rent at the same rate was paid to Abraham Duffield. It was continued to be used as a jail, for after the trustees of the Meth-odist Church bought the building the Borough paid rent for the jail at the rate of $12 per annum.

The Borough evidently kept the cellar in repair, for I find pay-ments for work at the prison, $3.75, and to Harry Retzer for making steps for the prison, 75 cents.

The large room on the first floor was the only public hail in the Borough until the erection of the Lyceum, in 1842, and it was used for most of the public meetings held in Frankford.

I find that the Decatur Fire Company met there; that the Baptist Church was organized there; that St. Mark's Church, after beginning

in Morrow's School-house, in 1832, met in the Academy in 1835; that the various lodges and secret societies of Erankford met there, and that for a time it was the publication office of the Frankford Herald.

Samuel and Robert Huckel bought the building and ground from Abraham Duffield for $105o, and the Methodist Church, having been organized in 1832, Samuel and Robert Huckel conveyed the property to the trustees of the Church. The lower part of the lot was laid out for a burying ground, and in the sale to the Church the lot at present occupied by the vault of the Huckel family was reserved to them,

The Academy building was used as a church by the Methodists until 1834, when the first church was erected on the lot to the northeast of the Academy.

The building continued to be used as a place of public meetings and by the church for classrooms, etc., until 1848, when the large room on the first floor was altered to provide living rooms for the sexton and his family, and from that time until the building, after a long and useful life, was removed in 1879 to make room for the new Rehoboth Church, the old Academy ceased to be in any sense a public building.

II

EDWARD STILES.

His Descendants and their Possessions about Frankford, Philadelphia.

By GUERNSEY A. HALLOWELL.

Published under the Direction of the Committee on History of the Historical Society of Frankford.

(Read before the Frankford Historical Society, March, 1908).

The Stiles family' is descended from John Stiles, one of the first settlers in Bermuda, in 1635. He owned share No. 13 in Southampton Tribe or locality, being one of the twelve original shares granted to Sir Nathaniel Rich. The land was located near Port Royal Church. Daniel Stiles, the grandson of John Stiles, and son of Daniel, was a member of Assembly of Bermuda in 1723 and vestryman and warden of Port Royal Church in 1725. Daniel Stiles married his second cousin, Mary Durham, by whom he had twelve children, one of whom, Edward Stiles, born at Port Royal, Bermuda, probably between the years 1715 and 1720, subsequently settled in the Island of New Providence, of the Bahama group, and afterward came to Philadelphia. Here he engaged in mercantile shipping. His store was located on Front Street, between Market and Arch Streets. His city residence was on the south side of Vvalnut Street, between Third and Fourth Streets (old No. 70, present Nos. 308 and 310).

Edward Stiles purchased on August 6th, 1761, from Robert Waln, of Philadelphia, Merchant, and Richard Wain, of Oxford Township, Philadelphia, yeoman, a messuage and tract of 113 acres and 20 perches, consisting of 74 acres 3 roods and 14 perches of upland and 38 acres i rood and 6 perches of meadow land2 which was part of a larger tract of 267 acres, formerly called "Enhaker." Mr. Stiles gave the name of Port Royal to the tract purchased by him after the name of his birth-place. It was located between the present Tacony Street and Frankford Creek and extended from a line East of Tucker Street to a line West of Church Street, in what was then Oxford Township, now the Twenty-third Ward, Philadelphia. The lane or avenue leading to the house

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then on the property extended in a Southeasterly direction from what is now Tacony Street along the Westernmost line of the property, and is now marked by a diagonal line of trees on the Easternmost end of the Wain Estate. What is said to have been the original farm house of Port Royal plantation has been altered into two brick houses, which are located South of Pierce Street and West of Orthodox Street. The farm house was at one time surrounded by birch and buttonwood trees and had in front of it a fine grass plot sloping down to the wharf on the Frankford Creek. The proximity of the house to the creek and its great distance from any street or road seems to indicate that it had been built at a very early date, probably before the Port Royal mansion.

Soon after the purchase of the Port Royal plantation by Edward Stiles he erected a fine Colonial brick mansion, now standing on the South side of Tacony Street, between Church and Duncan Streets. On the first floor of this mansion is a wide hail extending the entire depth of the house, with a fine drawing-room on the right, and on the left a sitting-room, staircase and dining-room. It originally had a basement kitchen after the style of many of the mansions of Colonial days; but the Lukens family, who subsequently owned it, altered this, and built a kitchen on the floor with the dining-room. This property was one of the country seats of Mr. Stiles.

He later, in 1799, purchased another country seat, known as "Green Hill," upon a portion of which his grandson, Benjamin Stiles, erected, in 1842, a handsome mansion at the corner of Broad and Poplar Streets, Philadelphia. This mansion, since known as the Harrah mansion, was lately purchased by Oscar Hammerstein. Upon its site he is about to erect a new opera house.

Besides Port Royal plantation, Edward Stiles also purchased, February 13th, 1762, from Rudolph Neff, of Northern Liberties, and Jacob Neff, of Oxford Township, Philadelphia, wheelwrights, two contiguous tracts, then in Oxford Township, now Twenty-third Ward, Philadelphia, containing, respectively, 35 acres and 93 perches and 584 acres, or, together, 94 acres and 53 perches, which included the present brickyard of William Kelley, on the Northeast side of Bridge Street, Southeast of Jackson Street, the original farm of the late George Baker, deceased, on the Northeast side of Bridge Street, between the brickyard and Mount Sinai Cemetery; also the original farm of the late Henry W. Ditrnai, deceased, which included within its limits Adath Jeshuron Cemetery and part of Mount Sinai Cemetery and the land

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lying between Bridge Street and Little Tacony Creek, and extending from a line near Charles Street to the diagonal line which crosses Bridge Street, south of Ditman Street .3

On August 13th, 1768, Mr. Stiles, then mentioned as a resident of Oxford Township, purcliasd from Richard Finney, of Oxford Town- ship, Yeoman, a tract of 58/4 acres,' irregular in shape, then in Oxford Township, subsequently in the Borough of Whitehall, which was located between the present Tacony Street and Little Tacony Creek, having a frontage on Tacony Street of 79 perches, and on Little Tacony Creek io perches. A portion of the upper line of this tract was near Bridge Street and the Southwest line commenced on Tacony Street, about 70 feet East of Tucker Street, and intersected Little Tacony Creek about Margaret Street. This tract included a great portion of the property North of the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad and West of Wakeling Street, belonging to the Estate of the late Hon. Edwin H. Fitler, deceased, once Mayor of Philadelphia. Upon this tract there stood to within the past twenty-five years a large two and a half story frame Colonial mansion, with a porch two stories in height, the roof of which was supported by four large round wooden columns. The mansion was at one time painted white. It fronted originally upon Tacony Street or State Road, but its usefulness as a fine residence was destroyed by the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad passing in front of it, about 1832. The location of the mansion is marked by a cypress tree, which stood near it, about ioo feet North of the railroad and about the same distance East of Tucker Street, as laid out on the City plan, but not opened. It was from this mansion that the Borough of Whitehall took its name. Mr. Stiles sold this tract to Andrew Doz, a Merchant, of Philadelphia, in 1786. The mansion was probably not built until some time later.

Owing to the distress of the inhabitants of Bermuda in 1775, occasioned by the non-exportation agreement of the American Colonies, a petition was presented to the Continental Congress by the people of Bermuda praying for relief, whereupon Congress, on November 22nd, 1775, granted permission to Edward Stiles to send the Sea Nymph, Samuel Stobel, Master, with certain provisions, such as Indian corn, flour, bread, pork, beef, soap and apples, to Bermuda for the immediate supply of the inhabitants; the cargo to be considered as part of the annual allowance from the Colony of Pennsylvania for the ensuing year. The exportation, however, was to be under the superintendence of the

'4

Committee of Safety, and the people of Bermuda were to pay for the provisions in salt, or they could receive provisions in exchange for arms, ammunition, saltpetre, sulphur and field pieces.5

During the occupation of Philadelphia by the British Army in the Pall and Winter of 1777 and 1778, F'rankford and vicinity did not escape the depredations of the contending armies. This was particularly true of Port Royal plantation, to which, on December 6th, 1777, Mrs. Edward Stiles came from the city with a boy servant, having borrowed Henry Drinker's horse for the occasion. As she was about to enter the chaise for the return trip the British Light Horse came tip and took the horse and chaise from her, and she was obliged to walk to the City. Previous to this the premises had been plundered of all the valuable furniture, provisions, a coach, chariot, horses and eight or ten negroes.6

Edward Stiles was twice married, first, in Bermuda, to Mary Murray ("the family name of the Dunmores"), who died October 15th, 1795, and second, at Christ Church, Philadelphia, September 18th, 1796, to Mary Chapehl Meredith, widow of Charles Meredith, at one time a Merchant of Philadelphia. She died May 31st, 1809, at the age of 75 years and 9 months. By the first wife there was one child, James. There were no children by the second wife.

Edward Stiles was a member of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and is said to have been buried with his two wives in the burial ground.

The Estate of Edward Stiles has been estimated to have been worth about £70,000, and his income at £4000 annually. At the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1804, there was found in his city residence two iron chests, which contained $23,000. These chests were purchased by the United States Bank, and upon the failure of that institution were bought by Stephen Girard, and are at present in the possession of the Girard National Bank, on Third Street, south of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and exhibited as the property of Stephen Gtrard.

It is a tradition of the family that Stephen Girard was at one time in the employ of Edward Stiles, but this is doubtful.

By the will of Edward Stiles,7 dated September 16th, 1793, and proven at Philadelphia, February 27th, 1804, he directed that his slaves be freed and educated at his expense. He also left legacies to his brothers and sisters and to the Port Royal (Bermuda) Church. The residue of his estate he bequeathed and devised to his son, James, but

'5

he having died previous to the death of his father, the estate vested in the children of James.

James Stiles married, first, Mary Ward, of Devonshire, England, who died in 1786, while on a trip to Bermuda. He married, second, Miss Murray, daughter of the Governor General of the Island of Bermuda. By the first marriage there was one son, Edward James Stiles. By the second marriage there were two children, Benjamin and Margaret Love Stiles. James Stiles died at Philadelphia, September 2nd, 1795, and his wife soon after.

Edward James Stiles, born in Bermuda, July 25th, 1786, lived with Lord Dunmore until he was nine years of age. He was educated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and married Ann Duncan, October 4th, i8o8. She was born July 12th, 1790, and was the daughter of Hon. Thomas Duncan, who was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1817 to 1827. Her mother was Martha, daughter of Robert Callender. In the partition of the Estate of Edward Stiles in 181, the two contiguous tracts of 35 acres and 19 perches and 583A acres first mentioned" were allotted to Edward James Stiles, who sold them in 1831 to Egbert Somerdike.9. Edward James Stiles removed to Philadelphia from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1840, and died at his city residence, 310 Walnut Street, August 24th, 1850. His wife died in I47. Both are interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery. They Lad five children—Thomas Duncan, Edward Copeland, Margaret Love, 2nd, Martha Duncan and Benjamin Stiles, of whom hereafter.

Benjamin Stiles, son of James, married Catherine Hodgeson. In the partition of the Estate of Edward Stiles, deceased, before men-tioned, the Port Royal plantation was allotted to Benjamin, who, in 1816, sold it to Stephen Duncan according to a survey made by Samuel Haines by which it was found to contain in the whole 121 acres I rood and 22 perches.10 Benjamin Stiles built and resided for a time in the fine mansion before mentioned at Broad and Poplar Streets, Phila-delphia. His wife died March 20th, 1850, and he died July 24th, 1853. They were interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery. He had a large estate, but no children.

Margaret Love Stiles, daughter of James, married February 12th, 1811, Stephen Duncan, son of Judge Thomas Duncan, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and died prior to 1833. Stephen Duncan removed to Philadelphia and in November, 1824, was elected a State Senator from Philadelphia by the Federalists.1' In 1816 he purchased, as before

16

stated, the Port Royal plantation, but sold it in 1833 to Stephen Duncan, of Mississippi, who, on December I ith, 1852, sold it by his attorney-in-fact, Michael B. Mahony, to Benjamin Stiles.12 Stephen Duncan married a second time.

The Port Royal mansion had been occupied since 1846 by Rev. Charles Lukens, at one time a teacher in the Germantown Academy. In the two-story stone building located on the west side of Duncan Street, south of Tacony Street, Mr. Lukens taught a private day and boarding school. The boarding pupils were accommodated with apart-ments in the mansion. This school was continued until about 186o. Upon the purchase of the Port Royal farm by Benjamin Stiles, he caused a notice to be served, December 22nd, 1852, upon Mr. Lukens to vacate the premises upon the expiration of his lease. Arrangements were therefore made whereby Mr. Lukens, on March 30th, 1853, became the owner of the mansion, buildings and grounds located be-tween Tacony and Stiles Streets and west of Duncan Street. Some other portions of Port Royal came into possession of the Lukens family at a later date, while most of the farm was sold to divers other persons. The stone house in which Mr. Lukens taught his school was once occupied by Mr. Robert Glenn, who subsequently became steward of the Oxford and Lower Dublin Poor House.

While Mr. Lukens was making an alteration to the mansion an earthen jar containing a number of old gold and silver foreign coins was found by the workmen under a sill in the stone wall of the cellar. The jar is supposed to have been placed thereby some of the servants of Mr. Stiles.14

Mr. Charles M. Lukens conveyed the mansion and ground to his son, George V. Lukens, who died March 16th, 1899, and by his will devised the mansion and ground between Tacony and Melrose Streets and Duncan and Church Streets unto the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons, for a Masonic Home, Hospital or Dispen-sary, upon the payment of certain annuities. In the case of the refusal by the Lodge to accept the devise within a certain time it was then devised to the Rector, Church Warden and Vestrymen of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church of F'rankford, to be used for church purposes and the benefit of the poor of the Parish, UOfl the payment, however, of the said annuities. The Lodge and Church both declined to accept the devise, so that the property still belongs to Mr. Lukens' estate, to some time be divided among his relatives.

'7

Of the streets which intersect the Port Royal farm named in honor of the Stiles family or connections, we have "Stiles," "Bermuda" and "Duncan."

Returning to the children of Edward James Stiles, Thomas Duncan Stiles married first, Sarah Camp, and second, Eliza Beatly.

Edward Copeland Stiles was a midshipman in the United States Navy, having graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy, December 13th, 1839. He resigned July 2nd, 1845, having passed midshipman; be was U. S. Consul to Austria from 1856 to 186o, with residence at Vienna. He married Elizabeth Lewis Campbell, a daughter of Charles Lewis Campbell, of Philadelphia. They had no children.

Margaret Love Stiles, 2nd, daughter of Edward James Stiles, married Colonel William Alston Haynes, son of Governor and U. S. Senator Robert Y. Haines, of Charleston, South Carolina. After the War of the Rebellion they removed to California and resided near Santa Barbara. They had nine sons, of whom the eldest is Edward Stiles Haynes.

Martha Duncan Stiles married Dr. Charles Shower and died at Philadelphia July 3rd, 1862, without children.

Benjamin, son of Edward James Stiles, was horn March 15th, 1818, and married Margaret Wilson.

The writer is indebted to Miss Eleanor B. Wright, William Hall Waxier, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Creighton for their kindness in furnish-ing him with information used in the preparation of this article.

i. See The Stiles Family, by Henry Reed Stiles, A. M., M. D. 2. Deed recorded at Phila. Book H, Vol. 15, P. 7, etc.

3. Deed Book B. F. No. 21, P. 436, etc., Phila.

4. Deed Book I, Vol. 3, p. 6o6, Phila.

5. Colonial Record, Vol. X, P. 412. 6. Journal of Elizabeth Drinker, P. 55.

7. Will Book No. i, p. 182, Phila. 8. Partition Docket No. I, p. TO, District Court, Phila.

9. Deed Book A. M., No. 9, p. 540, Phila. io. Deed Book Al. R., No. 9, p. 67, Phila. ii. Scharf & \Vestcott's History of Phila., p. 611. 12. Deed Book T. H., No. 50, P. 416, Phila. 13. Schools of Frankford, by Miss Eleanor B. Wright. 14. Information by Miss Eliza Clover.

18

THE MAIN STREET OF FRANKFORD

During the "Thirties."

By DAVID S. RORER

Published under the Direction of the Committee on History of the Historical Society of Frankford.

During the "Thirties" of the 19th Century there were between thirty and forty houses on each side of the Main street, between Rocky Hill, now called Cedar Hill, and Adams street, now called Adams avenue.

At the foot of Rocky Hill, Somerdyke's Lane, now known as Bridge street, led eastward to the Delaware River. It was former-ly a lane leading to the Somerdyke property, near Bridesburg.

On the west side of the street, at the foot of Rocky Hill, lay Frank Dyre's farm. In 1840, at the junction of the Bristol and Bustleton Turnpikes and Bridge street stood the old hotel formerly known as the Robin Hood. After 1840 it was kept successively by Daniel Cummings, George Clayton and a Mr. Keegan. The trolley car barn now occupies the site of this hotel. Dyre street, across the creek, was named for the Dyre farm.

The next building was a log house which stood near the elbow in the road. It still stands as the back part of a frame house. It is supposed to be one of the log houses built by the Swedes before Penn's arrival, to define their boundary line.

Next below the log house stood Bernard Moray's house and barn. A row of Lombardy poplars grew along the roadside. Moray's house and barn stood between \\rakeling and Dyre streets. These streets were not in existence at that time.

Next came three or four red houses on Buckius' farm. These houses faced south and fronted on a short lane running in from the road a short distance above the present Harrison street. Benja-min Rogers lived in one, and a man named Smith in the other.

Below these houses, on Buckius' farm, a short distance north Of Foulkrod street, stood the old house occupied for many years by Thomas Hutchinson, daguerrotypist and photographer. This

'9

house is over one hundred years old. It was offered for sale in a Philadelphia newspaper over one hundred years ago. It is now No. 4810 Frankford avenue.

North of Hutchinson's old house was afterwards built the Wallett house, occupied for many years by Robert Huckel, and now the property of Dr. James Ross, veterinary surgeon. It is No. 4818. On this property formerly stood an old log cabin.

Wallett was an English clown. He made his home in Frankford for many years. On his return to England his house, hold goods were sold, and several persons in Frankford have in their possession rare pieces of china bought at Wallett's sale.

In 1830 there were no houses between Hutchinson's, above Foulkrod street, and the Seven Stars Hotel, at the junction of Ox-ford road and Main street, at that time an old wooden building. The hotel was kept by Charles Lewis.

It is well to state here that all the land on the west side of Main street, from Rocky or Cedar Hill to Pine or Church street, in 1830, was farm land, but few houses being built along the road.

Below Oxford road came Arrott's farm, stretching south and west. Arrott street is named for the Arrott family. On one of the rear fields of Arrott's farm stood the Red Barn, which gave its name to the lot. On the road front of the farm stood a row of Lombardy poplars planted near enough together to serve as posts for the fence enclosing the farm.

On Oxford Road, opposite the Seven Stars Hotel, stood an old colonial mansion, built before the Revolutionary War. The rooms were large and spacious, and the grounds extended west to Leiper street and south to Arrott street. At the Arrott street end of the lot, afterwards occupied by the old Dummy Depot, and at present a trolley car barn, was a large well, walled around, from which the water was drawn by an "old oaken bucket." This house was vacant for many years. In 1838 Thomas Boyle Worrell, father of T. 'Worcester Worrell, occupied it. He was succeeded by John Kenworthy, father of Joseph H. Kenworthy, afterwards by William Crans, and later by John Haines. The house was removed a few years ago.

The first building below Oxford Road was a white frame house which stood at the corner of a lane leading back towards the red barn. John Whelin lived in it for many years. The beautiful

20

old fashioned garden of Mrs. Whelin has been described by Miss Mar' P. Allen.

The lane, now Overington street, was for many years known as Allen street. Samuel Allen, who built "Allengrove," had a book bindery on it about where Franklin street runs. Below the frame house was afterwards built a large brick residence. The Reverend Daniel S. Miller occupied this house for several years after he came to live in Frankford as rector of St. Mark's Church. Thomas Duffield succeeded Dr. Miller. The Free Library build-ing occupies the ground of both the frame and brick houses.

The next house in the early thirties was the frame building still standing, number 4618. This is one of the oldest houses in Frankford. Adjoining this house on the south was the blacksmith and wheelwright shop of Peter and Thomas Castor. It occupied the site of the brick houses, numbers 4622 and 4620.

Next came the Jolly Post, kept in the "thirties" by Henry Edam and afterwards by Stephen Paul, whose son Howard, an old schoolmate of mine, resides in London.

The JdTTy Post property at that time extended southward to Smith's Lane, a private lane leading into a back property. Smith's lane is now Orthodox street. At the corner of the lane stood the only hay scales in Frank-ford. It was one and one-half stories high, with a projecting roof. To weigh a load of hay the horses were taken from the wagon and the wagon and hay were hoisted up with ropes placed under the axles of the wheels and the weights ad-justed. Both stone and iron weights were used. A ton of 2240 pounds was considered a large load for a pair of horses to draw from the surrounding farms.

After these old hay scales were removed patent scales were built in front of the Jolly Post, along the curbstone. Jacob Rigler opened a quarry at this corner of the Jolly Post lot, and got out a quantity of good building stone and curbing.

The Jolly Post was the stopping place for all coaches which ran between Philadelphia and New York. The arrival and depar-ture of the morning and evening coaches was a daily event of great interest. The large wagon sheds of the Jolly Post afforded a con-venient resting place for teams hauling merchandise to and from New York. In 1833 the beautiful piece of sculpture, "Old Mortal-ity," at the entrance of Laurel Hill Cemetery, was brought from

21

New York in a dray, or wagon, and rested in these sheds from Saturday until Wednesday. "Old Mortality" was carved in Italy. The sculptor accompanied his work to this country and afterward settled in Burlington, N. J. He lost his means through an unfor-tunate business connection, and died in the poor house, and was buried in the Potter's Field.

The fields back of the Jolly Post bring back to my mind the story of a Sunday afternoon I spent there, with a number of other boys. We were playing ball when Constable William McCormack came after us. To save the bats and balls we ran up to Rogers' place. I laid my ball in the manger in the barn. When the coast was clear I went back for the ball, but in the meantime young Sammy Rogers had found it. I told him the ball was mine. He said, "No, it is not; I saw the hen lay it." I have never forgotten the ball Rogers' hen laid that Sunday afternoon of my boyhood.

To continue my story, below Smith's lane, now, at the corner of Orthodox street, stood the old stone house owned by Gardiner Fulton. Alonza de Bettancourt, a Spanish nobleman, an exile from Cuba, of which his father was Governor General, lived in this house. In later years Matthew Baldwin, founder of Baldwin's Lo-comotive Works, carried on the business of watch and clock mak-ing here. The two frame houses immediately back of it on Ortho-dox street was a brass foundry in the thirties.

Then came Colonel Burns' house, with a nice garden and ice house in the rear, which was reached by an alley. This alley is now Gillingham street. Colonel Burn is buried in the Presbyterian Graveyard. Below the alley stood Peter Colebaugh's house. Peter served through the war of 1812. He had four sons who served in the War of the Rebellion.

The next was an old stone house occupied in later years by the Whittingtons. They were razor makers and carried on their business here. Next were two frame houses. These houses have all been removed.

Below this was the Washington Engine property, which be-longed to Isaac Worrell, grandfather of T. Worcester Worrell, chairman of the Committee on History of the Frankford Historical Society. Isaac Worrell gave the ground on which the Washington Engine House was built.

Mr. Worrell lived at the corner of Sellers street. The old Ly-

22

ceum, now part of the Insurance Building, was built on a portion of his garden.

Sellers Street was named for the Sellers family, who owned a large tract of land in the Borough of }rankford.

In the early thirties from Sellers Street stretched an open field southward as far as Mayberry Whitman's house. It stood just above the Reading Railroad station. The land was tilled by George Gilling-ham and produced potatoes and corn. In 1837 a portion of it was purchased by St. Mark's Church. Eight hundred dollars was the price paid for the St. Mark's Church lot.

The row of brick houses with arched doorways just above the church property was built after this time. The Orams have occupied and carried on business in one of them since 1843, sixty-five years.

Next below Mayberry Whitman's, grandfather of Joseph Ball, lived Mrs. Bryant and her daughter, Lucy.

Below the Reading Railroad driveway stood the house of Mahlon Murphy, in the rear of which was his paint shop His wife and daughter taught school. Next below was Henry Brous, cabinet-maker shop. Next was a little frame building which was used by Mrs. Murphy for her school and subsequently used by Jonathan Brooks for a shoe store. On this site Mrs Lackey subsequently built two brick stores and dwellings numbered 4408 and 4406

Next to these a property belonged to a Mr. Robt. Wilson It was afterward the drug store and residence of Linneaus R. Gilliams. The Gilliams family sold it to Adam Mann. It is 4404 F'rankford avenue. In the stone house at the corner of Unity Street lived Thomasine Buck. Later in the "forties" John McMullen altered it into a grocery store. It is now a saloon, the property of William McKinley, leader of the Republican Organization of the Twenty-third Ward.

Unity Street was at that time Jesse Walton's lane. It ran back to his barn yard at Elizabeth Street. His house was the stone building now the back part of Stern's store, just below Unity Street, on Frank-ford Aventie.

On the Bank property Yeaman S. Gillingham's farmhouse stood. It was afterwards altered into two dwelling houses. In one of them Levi Foulkrod, father of our Congressman, the Hon. W. W. F'oulkrod, lived. At the time of his death in 1857, Mr. F'oulkrod was a member of our State Senate. The other house was the home for many years of Joseph Van Kirk, gas fixture manufacturer. The house was after-

23

wards restored to its original condition, and was the home of Lewis C. Troutman, when it was purchased by the Second National Bank. The beautiful garden on its north side is remembered by many of our older inhabitants.

The two brick houses south of the Bank property were built in the late thirties by Charles Wilson and Samuel English. The side alley way was their back entrance. On the south side of the alley stood a small stone house, in which a school was kept for a number of years.

Then came Samuel Huckel's house, where he carried on watch-making. Dr. Benjamin H. Deacon occupied this 11ouse when he first came to F'rankford. It is now the property of William Jefferson Guernsey. Before the Revolutionary War the row of houses still standing below Dr. Guernsey's alley belonged to the Worrell family. In the early thirties Robert Huckel owned these houses and kept a grocery store in one of them. The store was afterwards kept by Charles Bolton. The next houses were two white frames, and stood on the rear of the lot now occupied by Sidebotham's hall and store property. Benjamin Eastburh lived in one, and John Slaughter carried on shoe-making in the other. Next came a single frame house, in which James William had an undertaking and cabinetmaking shop. It is now built out and is Number 4318.

Asbury Boring occupied the next house. In this house now Number 4312 Thomas Thorn later carried on a fine bread and cake bakery business. He was noted throughout the surrounding country for the quality of his goods. Thorn's ice cream and cakes were made of the best materials. Like all the other houses, this one stood in from the present building line.

The house next door, now 4310, was built by William Gibson, father of the Misses Ann, Mary and Emma Gibson, who for many years were well known and highly esteemed in our community. Mr. Gibson carried on a dry goods store in this house. Richard \Valmsley lived here later and carried on a drug store. It is now Becker's Star Bakery.

Below Gibson's stood a brown frame house. Thomas Green, an old and well-known resident of F'rankford, and Recorder of Deeds for the City of Philadelphia at the time of his death, was born in this house.

At the close of the thirties it was bought by Dr John F. Lamb, a physician, who came to Frankford from Virginia. In 1840 Dr. Lamb built the lower one of the two large plastered stone houses which now stand on the lot. About 1845 the upper one

24

was built. They were numbered 4308 and 4306 Frankford avenue. In 1867 No. 4308 was bought by Richardson L. Wright, and

is still the home of his family. The lower one, 4306, is now owned by James F. Curran, who also owns the corner property.

Dr. Lamb was a tall, well-formed man, and greatly resembled the portrait of General Washington.

At the corner of Pine street, Church street at the present time, stood the old stone house built before the Revolutionary War. A cottage front was afterwards added to it. In the thirties it was used as a toy and candy shop, kept by Mr. and Mrs. Dewhurst. They sold a kind of taffy candy known in those days as "belly guts." The Dewhursts afterwards built a store on the other side of the street.

Matthew Baldwin, in after years the founder of the great Bald-win Locomotive Works, lived at one time in this cottage.

On the south side of Pine or Church street stood Isaiah Wor-rell's grocery store. At that time all grocery stores sold liquor. Mr. Worrell had the reputation of selling better liquor for ten and twelve cents a quart than can be bought to-day for a dollar. The undertaking establishment of P. Nugent now stands on this corner.

Next came two three-story stone houses. In one of them Giles Love, the Quaker, lived. Before leaving Giles Love's house, I have a story worth telling, which old 'Squire Shalicross was fond of relating. One Autumn Love employed two colored men to saw, split and pile the winter's wood in his cellar. Their names were James Little and William Chase. Giles Love had the reputation of requiring straight answers to questions. When the work was finished the men consulted as to which should approach Mr. Love. The task fell to Chase. We went into the house, took off his hat, made a polite bow, and said, "We done saw, split, pile up and clean up, and like to have de money." "How much do I owe you for the job?" said Love. "I leaves that to your peculiarosity," replied Chase. "Go out," said Giles, "and send in the other man." "Well," said Little, when Chase came out, "did you get the money." "No," replied Chase, "he said you have to come, because you have a bet-ter eddication." In went Little. "Well," he began, "all finished, all right, all in applie-pie order, sar." "How much do I owe you for the job," said Giles. "I leaves that to your ignorance," replied Little. 'Squire Shallcross failed to tell whether or not this reply

25

was satisfactory. In one of these stone houses John Kenworthy, father of the

Kenworthy family of Frankford, lived for many years. Next to them came Mrs. Templeton's dry goods store. Next

stood John Rorer's house. He was a cabinetmaker and under- taker. His daughter, Miss Susan A. Rorer, died a year ago at an advanced age. Below this was Robert Greenhalgh's store. It stood at the corner of a lane. The entrance to Dr. Pickering's fine place which stands at present on Franklin street, and is rented by the city for a kindergarten school. It was surrounded by a large garden filled iith pine trees. Pine street, now Church street, re-ceived its name from this Colonial mansion. We do not know who built this house. This lane or alley is still open and is a right of way.

The General Pike Hotel stood on the south corner of the lane. In the thirties it was kept by Benny Eastburn, and later by Robert Thornton. Here everyone went to get the Saturday Evening Post and the Germantown Telegraph.

Next'below, at the corner of Ruan street, is still standing the Seddon's house, a double frame house two and one-half stories high. Here Mr. Seddon kept a cloth store. The Seddon family came from England in 1830. They were Swedenborgians. James, John and Miss Mary Seddon were musicians and taught the young people of Frankford to sing by note and to play on musical instru-ments at the New Jerusalem Church, which is now the James Sed-don School House, on Hedge street, or Hedgerow street, as it was then called. Joseph and Thomas Whittington played the clarionet and the bugle.

The New Jerusalem Church was the only church in Frankford that had instrumental music and singing by note at that time. The Reverend Thomas Boyle was the first preacher of this congre-gation. The Reverend Isaac C. Worrell and the Reverend Robert Glenn were among the early ministers of the Swedenborgian So-ciety. Descendants of these families still adhere to the teaching of Baron Swedenborg.

On the south side of Ruan street stood the old Cross Keys Hotel, kept by the Widow Rice. This house was an old landmark. It had a side yard and plenty of stabling for horses. The yard extended south as far as Rudolph Adams' house, in

26

which he kept a drug store. Rudolph Adams' wife was a sister of Peter Buckius. In 1836 he moved to Missouri, and lived in St. Louis.

Rudolph Adams some years later returned to Frankford and built the large square stone plastered house at the corner of Frank-ford avenue and Wakeling street, now the Frankford Hospital. Mr. Adams sold the property to Nathan Hilles, who occupied it for many years. It was then sold to Henry Davenport, an Eng-lishman. On his return to England, in 188o, Thomas Wilbraham, founder of the firm of Wilbraham & Bro., iron founders of Kensing-ton, bought the house and grounds. After the death of Thomas Wilbraham it was sold to his brother, John Wilbraham, from whom it was bought by the Frankford Hospital. Rudolph Adams' drug store afterwards became a tavern, kept by Captain Snyder and later by Henry Hough. In 1845 Thomas Rorer started a stage line from Hough's tavern. Later he purchased a property on Frankford ave-nue, above Unity street, and transferred his stage line to this place.

Allen Pickup then ran a line from Hough's tavern. Allen Pickup sold his line to Clayton Conner. Conner and Rorer con-tinued running their lines until the horse car and the dummy roads were opened. Beside Rorer and Conner, Gallagher, Fries, Van Brunt and "Porgy" O'Brien ran stage lines until the street rail-way put them out of existence.

Below Rudolph Adams' store stood three or four one and one-half-story houses, which were owned by Womrath and taken down when Romain Block was built.

Between Romain Block and the entrance or driveway into Womrath's place stood a row of two and a half-story houses. In after years John Deal, postmaster, lived in one of them, and every-one had to go there for letters and papers.

Below these houses came the entrance to Womrath's place. A long, shady driveway led up to the mansion house, which stood as far back as Romain street. The Womrath house was formerly the country seat of Henry Drinker. Henry Drinker was a promi-nent member of the Society of Friends. He was a shipping mer-chant and a partner of Abel James, whose daughter married Thomas Chalkley, who built Chalkley Hall.

Drinker's alley adjoined the town residence of Henry Drinker. Its name has been changed in recent years. The Journal of Eliza-

27

beth Drinker, wife of Henry Drinker, was published a few years ago. It contains much history concerning the days before and during the Revolutionary War. On the Womrath estate stood an old-fashioned summer house, in which, tradition states, that Thomas Jefferson made a draft of the Declaration of Independence. This is probably not true, but the tradition may have had its foundation in the fact that a number of delegates to the Continental Congress, in 1774, met in Frankford and discussed the action to be taken in Congress that fall and the following winter concerning such a declaration.

Below Womrath's were two frame houses, built in 1830 by Merchant Stearne. Subsequently Major Pugh lived in one and Dr. Christine in the other. Mr. Stearne owned the Ledger route in Frankford. The Ledger began its publication March 25, 1836. It was first delivered by Hiram Shallcross, but in 1837 Merchant Stearne bought the route. It extended from Front and Vine streets to the Bustleton pike, and included Bustleton, Holmesburg and Bridesburg. As a boy I went many times with Hiram Shall-cross to help serve the papers.

Next below these frame houses stood "Billy" Pillings' row of brick stores. In one of them Lodge No. 8, Odd Fellows, met in an upstairs room, before Odd Fellows' Hall was built. This house was afterwards the store of Samuel Kenyon. Next came two houses; one was occupied by a Mrs. Clarke, a widow. South of this, at the corner of an alley known as Higgs' alley, William Higgs lived and carried on his printing office. On the south side of the alley lived Isaac Chipman and his son, pumpmakers.

Next to Chipman's was a white frame house, owned by Peter Boyer. In 1850 it became a tavern and was kept by Thomas Groom. Below this, in a story-and-a-half frame house, William Mahan lived, and next to that stood Ezra Shallcross' blacksmith shop.

At the corner of Adams road a Mr. Sterling kept a store. On the opposite corner stood a large blue frame house. On the site of this house Albert Rowland built his grist mill in 1852. The blue frame house was moved nearer the street, and Daniel Lennon kept a hotel in it. The mill stood at the three-arch bridge on the Abba road, now called Nicetown lane. Abba had a school for boys where Hart lane crosses Nicetown lane.

28

I have spoken of Mr. Sterling's store at the corner of Adams street. It recalls a story Mr. Sterling was fond of rehearsing. One winter morning "Jimsey" Barker, a colored man, came into the store to trade. Mr. Sterling was at breakfast and called to him to wait, and in a few minutes he would be out. Looking through a window in the door, Sterling saw Barker put a pound of butter into his hat and sit down back of the stove. Presently, the stove being hot, the butter began to melt and run down the man's neck. When Mr. Sterling came out Barker was well greased. While putting up the articles he asked for, I\'Ir. Sterling remarked: "Don't you want butter, Jimsey?" Jimsey replied, "I'se in a hurry; can't wait for it no how. I'se oughter be home by dis time. Good mornin'. See you later."

We will now turn around and pursue our steps northward. On the east side of the Main street, going north from the creek,

southeast of the old mill, lived Colonel Duffield. He had three sons, Thomas, William and Edward. He was the proud possessor of the only piano in the village. To the east of the mill site there still stands a little stone house, occupied in 183o by Christopher Coon, the miller. He is buried in the Presbyterian graveyard.

Farther up the street, where the race divided, one portion run-ning to the grist mill and the other to the saw mill, which stood on Little Tacony Creek, the site of which was afterward used by Hilles as a coal and wood wharf, stood two frame houses, one on each side of the race. They were occupied by colored men, Sam Jackson and Benny Little.

Along the race a row of Lombardy poplars extended from Tacony road to Frankford avenue. The first house on Frankford avenue was occupied by John Newcamp, a pumpmaker.

O'Rorke's brewery stood where Baird's court now is. Then came two frame houses, with porches over the doors. Mrs. Barnes had a store in one and Mr. Monley lived in the other. Above these houses stood a frame house, in which Adam Schlater lived. He was Peter Slaughter's brother. His name was changed by an act of the Legislature. Then came the house of John Axe, who was a combmaker. Mrs. Axe carried on a fancy work store and em-ployed a number of women and girls. Edward Axe, son of John Axe, was a taxidermist. The Axes were the first people in Frank-ford to sell pies and cakes. They were Hessians, and came to

29

America during the Revolutionary War. Next to Axe's was a stone house owned by the late Jonathan

Brooks. Next above was a brewery which was subsequently turned into a foundry by Major Pugh. Here Herman Hogland & Son sub-sequently carried on the foundry business. It is now the site of Baird's Hall.

At the corner of Frankford avenue and Green street still stands Daniel Thomas' house. His land extended south to the foundry and east to Paul street along Green street. Thomas street, now called Salem street, ran through it. He had a fine garden.

The old stone house on the northeast corner of Green street, in 1830, was occupied by a Mr. Battersby. He was the owner of a monkey, the only one in Frankford. Above was a stone house used as a grocery store. It the second story of this house Samuel Woodiugton and Henry Gardner had a printing cffice. In the next house Abel Wilson had a tin store.

Next came a vacant lot between Abel Wilson's and the Rot-terdam Hotel, kept by Thomas Sidebotham until 1836, when he moved to Wilmington, Delaware.

Next came Neff's two-and-one-half-story stone house. It is still standing and has been converted into two dwelling houses.

North of Neff's was a vacant lot, on which the Odd Fellows' Hall was afterwards built. In 1830 Isaac Whitelock used it for a lumber yard.

The next house, north of Neff's large stone house, was a one-and-one-half-story frame house, still standing and used as an oyster house.

At the corner of what is now Ruan street, Abner Barnes' school house stood. It was a frame building and was later moved to Paul street and still stands south of the station house. Charles Kremer built a bakery in after years on this corner. He was a resident of Frankford many years and a highly respected citizen.

Next came the town lot, occupied by a market house and dis-trict station house, but in 1840 Joseph Hallowell used it as a lum-ber yard, or "board yard," as they were then called. He built a frame office on the Main street. Later Charles Murphy and Wil-liam Higgs used this building as a printing office. 'Squire Shall-cross had his office in a one-story building adjoining it.

Next came a house occupied by Owen Owens. This property

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was used by the police in 1848. About this time special policemen were appointed by the Burgesses because a number of houses, barns, etc., had been burned in the neighborhood. There were ten of them, and the writer of this article was one of the number. The hours of service were from 7 P. M. until 6 A. M., for which they received one dollar a day. William McCormick was captain of the squad. I am the only survivor of this famous band of officers.

Next above stood a stone house, occupied by Benjamin Mon-teith, a watch and clockmaker. A brick building stands on this site, used by the Acme Tea Company, and is the northeast corner of Ruan street. Samuel Cooper once used it as a furniture store.

The next property was Tryon's. He kept a baker shop. Then came a frame house, on the upper side of an alley, occupied by Barber Wright. He had a barber shop and a hardware store. Barbers in ancient times were surgeons, and the barber's pole, with which we are all familiar, represented the white bandage of a wounded limb. Mr. Wright was one of the last barbers in Frank-ford to combine in a measure both professions. He was an adept at applying leeches, which were used to reduce inflammation. When physicians considered the application of leeches necessary Mr. Wright was sent for. He also practiced cupping.

Next above stood Solomon Maybrry's double house. He kept an oyster saloon. Then came "Polly" Rorer's property, which extended from Main street to Paul street. It was occupied as a cooper shop. Mr. Dewhurst afterwards built his store on a por-tion of "Polly" Rorer's lot.

Then came the old market house, at the corner of Church street. It was owned by Peter Buckius. Peter Buckius, Henry Rigler and Henry Schoch were the butchers of the town in those days. The market house was removed some years ago and the present two-story building was erected.

At the northeast corner of Main and Church streets stood the Presbyterian Church. It was the only Presbyterian Church in this section, and persons came many miles to worship in it. About 1830 the funeral service of General Samuel Castor was held here and was remembered for years as the largest funeral in this part of the country. On the lot on which the Presbyterian manse now stands a small shed housed the Decatur Engir Company. The hooks and ladders were kept on the fence, to be at hand in case

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they were needed. Next to the shed stood a stone house and shop owned by Ed-

ward and Charles Dyre. They were saddlers and carried on busi-ness here for many years. This house was at one time occupied by John Durns, whose daughter taught school in Prankford. It was removed some years ago, and the house of Dr. R. Bruce Burns, No. 4321 Frankford avenue, stands on this spot.

Where Holden's hardware store stands at the present time, a two-and-one-half-story frame house stood, once occupied by Paul Wittie and his wife. The next house was the home of the Eng-lish family. In the rear of the house Isaac English had a pottery and made jugs, tea pots and other articles for household service. The ruins of the pottery are still standing. "' Then came the stone house of Robert Worrell, brother of General Isaac Worrell. Robert Worrell's house is still occupied by his great-granddaughter, Miss Sarah C. Leake. It was for fifty years the home of Dr. Ephraim Leake. Dr. Leake married the granddaughter of Robert Worrell.

Robert Worrell was a buck and white smith. The frame building adjoining the house on the north was his shop, used for finishing the white or pewter ware. One of the moulds in which Mr. Worrell fashioned spoons is still to be seen in Miss Leake's garden. The back building of the house is much older than the front, and was built before 1700. Its windows were covered by overhanging eves.

The old frame shop was moved to Paul street some years ago and altered into a dwelling house. The original Worrell house had a front double its present width. The lower half was sold years ago, and recently the brick store built out over the front.

In the thirties the next house above was 'Squire Rose's, a large two-and-a-half-story frame house, with the 'Squire's office on the south side. Mrs. Rose and her daughters, Rebecca and Henrietta, taught a private school. Rebecca was one of the teach-ers of the Marshall School when it was opened, in 1842. The house was moved back on a line with Thomas street some years ago, and two brick stores erected on the site. At this point the Main street made a decided bend toward the east.

In 1848 Louis Brous built the two-and-one-half-story brick house adjoining it on the south.

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Next above 'Squire Rose's stood the old Harper property. The cut-stone house was built by Robert Harper. He had a large tannery in the rear.

Levi Coates bought the property in after years, and it belonged to his estate until 1906.

The present owner has removed the stone house, cut down the old buttonwood trees, for many years laridwarks of Frankford's main street, and erected the present stores and dwellings.

Above an alley north of the Harper house, stood a stone house occupied in the thirties by Robert Glenn, a minister of the Swedenborgian Church. A one-and-a-half-story shop, used for chair- making, stood on the street front of the lot. The old house of Robert Glenn is a part of the back building of Howard George's fine new store.

We then come to Isaac Whitelock's stone house, at the corner of Unity street, Meeting House lane, as it was then called, as it led to the old meeting house at Unity and WaIn streets.

Isaac Whitelock's house had a fine garden, full of fruit trees, peaches, plums and apples. About half-way between Main street and Paul street stood the barn, full of grain in the late summer months. The straw was separated from the wheat by flails.

On the northeast corner, now occupied by the drug store of George S. R. Wright, stood a two-and-one-half story stone house, the home for a time of Giles Love, a prominent member of the Society of Friends.

The lot extended to Paul street, on the east, and north of it was a line with Thomas Wilson's wheelwright shop, on the corner. In this wheelwright shop, in the thirties, Warner Webster built the first buggy with a top made in this neighborhood. It weighed less than one hundred and fifty pounds. Thomas Rorer after-wards bought this whole property through to Paul street, and used the shop and stables for his stage line.

The first building above the wheelwright shop was the house of Dr. Taylor. Dr. Taylor afterwards moved across the street, and his house and office were rented to Linneaus R. Gilliams. Mr. Gilliams used the office for a drug store until he, also, moved across the street.

We next come to the large stone house owned at present by Dr. Allen. Harvey Quicksall owned it at one time. It was origi-

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nally the farm house of Yeaman Gillingham. It is said the first Methodist services in Frankford were held in this house, about 18.

Next above stood an old stone house, owned by Mrs. Dungan. John Durns once lived here. The lot included the ground on which the Post Office now stands, and extended through to Paul street. It was removed when the new Post Office was built.

Just above it came the property of Thomas Rorer, a large white frame house and a brown one. The brown and upper house had a porch over the front door, and the white house had a large porch along the side. They were surrounded by beautiful old-fashioned gardens full of box bush and yellow and sweet briar roses, hundred-leaf rose bushes, mock oranges and flags. The lower house had an arch over the gate and a weight attached by a chain to the gate, to keep it shut. Along the curbstone, from Dr. Allen's to Sellers street, grew a row of Lombardy poplars.

Joseph Comly and Thomas Rorer lived in these houses. In later years Joseph Ball bought them and moved them back to a little lane running in from Paul street. The two-story, mansard-roof dwellings were built on the ground. In a stable, back of the brown frame house, the first weaving in Frankford was done. The man's name I cannot recall, but the stable was full of looms.

Just above this house stood the white frame, the home of Joseph Ball, Sr. On its site stands the large mansion erected by Joseph Ball, Jr., Esq.

In 1830 Thomas Rorer owned all this property. Dr. William Guernsey lived in one of these frame houses when

he first came to Frankford. In the rear, on Paul street, stood two yellow houses. One was occupied by a young woman named Stansbury. One winter night, in a drifting snowstorm, she left her house. She was tracked as far as the General Pike Hotel. Nothing more of her was heard until the following spring, when, on breaking up of the ice on the Frankford Creek, her body was found in the water.

Beyond Joseph Ball, Sr.'s, house came the arcade lot. It ex-tended through to Paul street and north to Samuel Swope's grocery store. Samuel Swope's house stood in what is now the middle of Sellers street.

The arcade lot was so named because on the Paul street side four houses, built in pairs, facing each other, stood, and the pas-

34

sage between them formed an arcade. The front of the lot on the Main street was used as a board yard. Dr. John F. Lamb lived in one of these houses when he came to Frankford. Over Mr. Swope's grocery store, in the forties, Dr. S. K. Christine had a daguerrotype salon.

Sellers street was opened shortly after 1830. It made the fourth street, extending eastward and as far back as Paul street. Green, now Womrath street; Church, Unity and Sellers streets.

Next, on what is now the north side of Sellers street, where Hoif Gilmour's store stands, the house of Henry 13igler, who was a butcher, stood. His old slaughter house is still standing back of Mr. Gilmour's store. A store front was put into Mr. Rigler's house by Charles Griscom and used by him as a grocery store.

Next came a frame house, occupied by William Berger, a car-penter. It is now used by Daniel Rogers as a butcher shop. The lot on which this house stood ran back to an alley, which was for-merly open from Gillingham's land, now Oxford street, to Sellers street, and formed a back outlet for the Main street properties. Harry Rigler placed bars across the Sellers street end to prevent his sheep from straying. As no protest was made against the bars it soon ceased to be a thoroughfare.

John Heyberger and Abrams lived above. These houses stood in from the road, with a garden around them.

Back on Oxford street, then Gillingham's lane, stood an old book bindery, owned by Wakeling. It was afterward converted into two dwelling houses. When J. Fennimore Cooper's novel, "Last of the Mohicans," was printed in Frankford, it was bound in this book bindery on Oxford street.

The next house was Major Fries', which stood on the Main street, in the middle of Orthodox street. It was removed when Orthodox street was opened.

The next house was occupied by a Mr. O'Neill, a committing Magistrate. Leshers lived in the next one. These houses were torn down when Orthodox street was opened.

At the corner of the present Orthodox street stood the house and shop of Peter Lambert, a Frenchman. He was as eccentric as he was honest. If a bill of goods amounted to 882 cents he broke a penny in two pieces to make exact change. He had two daughters, one of whom married Thomas Kenton, who owned the

35

farm on the Bristol pike, at Rockey Hill, adjoining the North Cedar Hill Cemetery. It still belongs to his daughter.

Next came a small stone house with a half-gable end to the street, which stood back and in from the road, between the proper- ties of Peter Lambert and Lewis Emery. Lewis Emery was a Frenchman, who came to this country about 1812 and for many years kept one of the largest grocery stores in Frankford.

The next house was a small stone building, still standing, in from the street, and now used as the printing office of the Frank-ford Herald.

Then came the large old double stone house, still standing, opposite the Jolly Post, for we have now reached the top of the first rise of the Main street, going north. This house was owned by a Mrs. Plantan, a Frenchwoman. A number of French people came to Frankford between 1820 and 1830. Their descendants still live among us.

Above this house was a frame house, occupied by Dorothy, or "Dolly," Roner, and above that the old stone house of Peter Castor, whose blacksmith shop was across the way. Above this were sev-eral houses, in one of which lived Eli Merkins.

They were removed when the Corson Building and Dr. John V. Allen's residence, opposite Overington street, were built.

Next came a brown frame house, owned by Peter Slaughter. Above that stood a brown frame house, with a porch over the door, owned by Hilles, and next a stone house, with a long, narrow gar-den extending to Meadow street, owned by William Kinsey.

Beyond this were three frame houses, still standing, and at the junction of Frankford avenue and Paul street stood the large frame house of William Kinsey. He owned the tan yard which ran back on Meadow street as far as Willow street. Meadow street was called Tanyard lane. In Mr. Kinsey's house, Mr. Eames subse-quently manufactured combs.

Where Mr. Kinkerter's store stands two frame houses with gardens and pail fences stood. There were old-fashioned pink rose bushes growing in the gardens, and the mistresses of these homes could usually be seen standing at the front gates.

Beyond them stood the residence of Jesse Walton. It was afterwards altered and enlarged and made into the North Star Hotel. It burned down January 13, 1887.

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The lot on which the Frankford Avenue Methodist Church stands was a brickyard.

Then came the stone house of Isaac Shoch above Foulkrod street, or Brickyard lane, as it was then called. In this house Isaac Shalicross taught Frankford's first public school. The "Six-Miles-to-T" mile-stone stands on the pavement in frontof it. Above this stood an old log house.

There were no houses between this and Mr. Samuel Allen's fine Colonial mansion, Allengrove. Beyond that came a stone house, known as the Dyre house. It is still standing, below Dyre street.

Next came a frame house and two stone houses, a short dis-tance below Somerdyke's lane. One of the stone houses is still standing.

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MINUTES OF MEETING Held May 26th, 1908.

The stated meeting of the Historical Society of Frankford was held Tuesday evening, May 26, 1908, in the Friends' Meeting House, Unity and Wain streets.

The secretary presented the names of four persons who had made application for membership in the society—Mrs. Frederick P. Lovett, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Anderson and Mrs. James F. Curran.

After the transaction of necessary busi-ness Mr. Frederick P. Lovett reported for the Geneological Committee much inter-esting data relating to the early history of old Frankford families.

The papers for the evening were com-piled by Mr. Charles H. Duffield. An ac-count of Lafayette's visit to Frankford and a description of the presentation of a flag by the young ladies of Frankford to the Frankford Artillery Company. This company, which served in the War of

1812, was raised by Captain Thomas Duf-field. When the company became a part of Trevost's Brigade, Captain Duffield be-came major and Bela Badger was raised to the rank of captain. Bela Badger wa captain of the company when it was inns

tered out of service. Beside the Frankford Artillery Corn

pany, Frankford and its vicinity sent three infantry regiments to the War of 812. Guernsey A. Hallowell, Esq.

stated that one was commanded by Cap tain Fessmire, one by Captain Michael Moore and the Oxford Light Brigade b3 Captain David Altenius. Of this corn paiiy. lion. John F'oulkrod, grandfather 01

our Vice President, Congressman William Foulkrod, was a lieutenant.

The secretary presented a copy of a pamphlet published by the National So-ciety of the War of 1812 at its meeting held in Philadelphia in January, 1854.

In the discussion which followed the reading of the paper on Lafayette's visit to Frankford, it was proved that the tra-dition that Lafayette attended a ball on that evening in the old colonial mansion Allengrove, had no foundation. Miss Thompson states that there was a ball given on that evening by her grandfather, Samuel Allen, but that Lafayette did not attend and was never in the house. The Revolutionary cockades and Lafayette badges, preserved by several persons as mementoes of the ball, were worn at the request of the City Councils that passed a law desiring all persons to honor the nation's guest by wearing these badges.

Joseph R. Kenworthy exhibited a pistol which formerly belonged to Commodore Decatur and was used by him in his Mediterranean expedition. It was given to Mr. Kenworthy's father by Commodore Decatur in 1827, when he painted his house on Powder Mill lane. Mr. Ken-worthy also exhibited a ladies' pistol, of the period of the Revolution and a horse-pistol used before the invention of the modern rifle.

The society has acquired by purchase a copy of Watson's Annals.

Eleanor E. Wright, Secretary.

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MINUTES OF MEETING, Held December 3, 1908.

A meeting of the Historical Society of dence, Powder Mill lane. Frankford—an adjournment of the stated Site of old Frankford Academy, Paul meeting of November 17—was held on street above Womrath street. Thursday evening, December 3, at 8 Site of old Borough Hall, Ruan street o'clock, in the lecture room of the east of Frankford avenue, and in addi- Frankford Branch of the Free Library. tion to this the illumination of stores The president, Franklin Smedley, called and business places on Frankford avenue the meeting to order. The minutes of on the evening of October 6, and Frank- the meeting held May 26 were read and ford avenue with Chinese lanterns on approved. The Board of Directors recom- both sides, from Harrison street to mended the following-named persons for Adams avenue, and a display of many election as members of the society: Mr. interesting relics in the store windows. Henry Frey, of Bridesburg; Mr. John M The expense of the joint committee were Justice, of Frankford, and Mr. Jacob S paid by the Frankford Business Men's Hoffman, of Frankford, and on motion and Taxpayers' Association. The re- they were declared elected, ports of these committees were accepted

Reports of committees being called, and the committees discharged. the special committee appointed to ar- The following papers were read by the range for an excursion of the society, re- authors: "A History of John Comly," ported through its chairman, Robert T

' by Nathaniel Richardson, of Torresdale,

Corson, that no arrangements could be and "Bird Life In Frankford," by Henry made for one for the year. Mr. Corson, S. Borneman, of Frankford. The thanks as chairman also of the committee to Co. of the society was returned to them by operate with the Central Committee on the president. And the following articles the celebration of Founder's Week in were presented to the society: A large Philadelphia, presented their report, set- photograph of John Comly, from Nathan- ting forth that the Frankford Business iel Richardson. A photographic pano- Men's and Taxpayers' Association hay- ramic view of northern portion of Frank- ing appointed a similar committee, the ford, suitable for framing, from John M. committees jointly attended to the mark- Justice, of Frankford. The thanks of ing of historic spots and placed markers the association was returned to them. in this locality as follows: Also personal war sketches of the mem-

Friends' Meeting House, Unity street, bers of Colonel James Ashworth Post, corner of Wali,. No. 334, Grand Army of the Republic;

Old Jolly Post Hotel, Frankford aye- Department of Pennsylvania. of Frank- mice above Orthodox street. ford, Philadelphia, Pa.; a finely-bound

Commodore Stephen Decatur's resi- folio voltinie of 189 typewritten pages,

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containing the records of the war serv-ices (1861-1865) of the living and de-ceased members of the Post, from data furnished individually and otherwise, and is a duplicate transcript by William W. Rorer, Post historian, copy of the origi-nal volume which was presented to the Post in 1892 by the public-spirited citi-zeus of Frankford, and by permission re-produced for presentation to the His-torical Society of Frankford. Presenta-tion address made by Mr. Simpson and a response and thanks of the society re-turned by the president. Also the fol-lowing: Act of Incorporation and Di-gest, Ordinances, Resolutions, Agree-nients of the Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Borough of Frankford, compiled by Thomas W. Duffield, Jr.; 12mo, 96 pages; printed by Joseph Rakestraw, 1842; from Aaron Coates, of Frankford. Boundaries of the Incorporated Districts, Boroughs and Townships of Philadelphia County; act of February 2, 1854; edited by Lewis H. Hawley, Ph. D.; octavo, 24 pages; published 19)8, by the Executive Committee of Founder's Week. A Let-ter from William Penn to his Wife and Children; written before his first voyage to America, 1682; first published in Eng-land in 1761; 12mo; 16 pages; published by Joseph Sharpless, in Frankford, 1812. In Our Early Days, a bibliography of Washington County, Pa.; No. 1, Vol. 1; Wash. Co. Hist. Soc.

A copy of The Gazette, of the United States, of May, 1789, and an ancient paper, name missing. A Document, the Three Other Military Companies Re-cruited from Frankford. Oxford township and vicinity; compiled from the State archives by Guernsey A. Hallowell; pre-sented by Mr. Hallowell. For all of which and to the donors respectively a vote of thanks was given by the society.

Mr. Corson suggested that members of

the society investigate and report upon the historic places, oldest buildings and such former inhabitants of Frankford and surrounding towns as had gained celebrity and distinction. He mentioned as one of the oldest houses a one-and-a- half-story house on Cloud street, corner of WaIn, which he thought was built in shout 1760. Mr. Guernsey A. Hallowell called attention to a house south of Pierce street and west of Orthodox street, near Frankford Creek. It was the farm-house of the old Port Royal farm, and he believes was built prior to 1760.

Mr. Frederick P. Lovett stated that John Shallcross had told him that the old stone house on the southwest side of Adams avenue, about 20 feet northwest of Kensington avenue, originally belong- ed to the old Sweeds Mill property and that Mr. Shalleross considered this the oldest house in Frankford. Mr. Corson mentioned the old Deal house as the same house mentioned Mr. Lovett and that he had a record of its having existed as early as 1728.

Mr. David S. Rorer stated, for a clearer understanding of the location of Major Pue's foundry, that there were two breweries—an upper one on Main near Green street and one further down; that the foundry was on the ground of the upper one.

Mr. Thomas Creighton asked for fur-ther information regarding the old Sweeds Mill and a stone building near-by with a thatched roof.

Adjourned.

ADELOS GORTON, Secretary.

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