Chapter 21
Section 21 of A Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and Historic Interests in Pennsylvania, edited by Margaretta Archimbeau. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Tatiana Cicilla, Montgomery County. Formed September 10, 1784, named in honor of General Richard Montgomery, ranks third in the state as to amount of money at interest paying state tax, notable for fine suburban residences and for Washington's itinerary and camp at Valley Forge, with 11,098 men.
The Valley Forge Park Commission acquired, in 1893, 472 acres, partly in Chester County, to maintain and preserve forever the revolutionary campground. American army here from December 19, 1777, to June 19, 1778. Soldiers built their huts 16 by 14 feet by six and a half feet high, each to accommodate 12 men, and bore their sufferings from cold, starvation, and sickness like heroes. Facts of interest are... Baron Von Steuben came from Germany with his secretary, Peter S. Duponceau, after having served as an aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great.
He was appointed Inspector General of the American Army, and gave them military training and discipline. Mrs. Washington came to Valley Forge February 27, 1778, and on May 18, a detachment under Marquis de Lafayette moved to Barron Hill, but the British came in force against them, and they retreated over Matson's Ford, Khan Shahakan, on a bridge of rafts. On June 18, the British evacuated Philadelphia. June 19, Washington and army left Valley Forge in pursuit. A marker is placed where General Sullivan and soldiers built a bridge across the Schuylkill in 1778.
Redoubts and entrenchments have been restored. Every point of interest has been marked with granite tablets by various historical societies, and by the states whose sons suffered here. The bronze equestrian statue of General Anthony Wayne, sculptor, H.K. Bush Brown, made 1908, marks sight of cantonment of his troops. Near this is replica of a brigade hospital, a soldier's hut, and the bronze statue of General Frederick Wilhelm von Steuben, granite pedestal with bronze relief. Sculptor J. Otto Schweitzer, erected 1915 by National German-American Alliance.
National Memorial Arch, one of the most beautiful structures of its kind, granite, designed by Paul P. Cret, was erected by the United States government in 1914 as a tribute to George Washington and his regiments. Washington's headquarters, home of Isaac Potts, open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., is arranged as when he occupied it. Washington Inn was used as army bakery during encampment. Ovens and basement, originally home of Colonel William Dewees, sheriff of Philadelphia, and owner, with John Potts, of the Forge.
The Star Redoubt, the Defender's Gate, cemetery, and view from Observatory on Mount Joy are interesting. Museum of American History contains rare relics of Washington and the war. Washington Memorial Protestant Episcopal Chapel and the Cloister of the Colonies, in which each of the 13 colonies will be represented by a bay, in the center of each is the colonial seal and brass. Ceiling, hand-carved oak, in the central boss of each the state coat of arms.
The cloister encloses the Garth, in which is a bronze statue, sacrifice and devotion, by Bella Pratt, in honor of the mothers of the nation. The porch gates were wrought by Samuel Yellen, hammered in the iron are the symbols of the four evangelists. The lock has a miniature Liberty Bell as a keeper, and the sliding bolt passes through the knapsack of a Continental soldier, guarding the lock. Windows in the chapel from Desenzo Studios. Waterman Monument marks the grave of only identified soldier buried here.
Across the Schuylkill is Fatland, built by James Vaux. Washington slept here, September 21, 1777. The next day, Sir William Howe came here and almost caught him. At Port Kennedy, one and one-half miles east of Valley Forge, prehistoric bones of saber-toothed tigers and extinct animals are found. West of Valley Forge, Mill Grove, built 1762, still standing.
Residents of John James Audubon. Here he studied, painted and wrote about birds of America that have made him world famous. Near, at the mouth of Perky Omen Creek, Washington's army encamped at Richardson's Ford, September 21. After marching all night, wet, breast-high and hungry, 1,000 men without shoes. Howe moved on west of Schuylkill toward Reading, the depot of American supplies, having burned buildings at Valley Forge on his way, and reached Phoenixville, Fountain Inn.
Washington marched his troops to Upper Hanover, within four miles of Pottstown. His headquarters were residents of John Potts, built 1753, and sent General Wayne with 1,500 men to harass the rear of British Army under General Gray. But they were outnumbered by the British and massacred at Pauley, marked by two monuments. Pottstown, founded by John Potts, population 17,431, noted for its iron industry since 1716. Mill Park Hotel, built 1752, for residents of Founder, who was visited here by Washington.
Friends Meeting House, built 1752, ground given by John Potts. He also gave ground for Zion Lutheran Church, Georgian, 1753. Residences of Founder's three sons, Dr. Jonathan Potts, Director General of Hospitals, Northern Department in the Revolutionary War. Stowe, west of Pottstown. Samuel Potts, east of Pottstown, now Hill School. John Potts Jr., a Tory judge, corner of High and Hanover Streets, center of town.
Later, residents of General Arthur St. Clair. Daughters of the American Revolution tablet on side. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, architects Leckman and Murphy, windows from Desenzo Studios. Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, Gothic, brownstone, good memorial windows, was received in convention in 1827. Pottstown Hospital is controlled by Board of Women Managers, also the library, in which art exhibitions are shown. Not until William Penn came was any effort made to manufacture iron in Pennsylvania.
Having iron furnaces of his own at Hawkehurst, England, he was interested to encourage the industry here. Thomas Rudder, bailiff of Germantown from 1705-06, after Pastorius, moved up the Schuylkill on patent of land from William Penn, deed still in the family, and manufactured in 1717 the Pool Forge on Manitawney Creek, three miles above Pottstown. He was the first in Pennsylvania to manufacture iron, or is still being mined from the same beds. Among the great names in our early iron industry, Rudder and Potts stand preeminent.
The list of forges and furnaces on the Manitawney and its branches, owned by their intermarried families before the Revolution, include Mount Pleasant Furnace and Forge, Spring Forge, Colebrookdale Furnace and Forge, Amity Forge, Rudder's Forge, Pool Forges, Pine Forge and Little Pine Forge. Near Boyertown is Ringing Rocks, a natural curiosity, they make a complete octave. Michael Schlatter preached at Manitawney in 1748, also in the Reformed Church, built in 1743.
McCall's, or Glasgow Forge on Manitawney Creek, still in operation, was erected in 1725 on land conveyed by William Penn to his son John in 1701, 14,600 acres, sold to George McCall of Glasgow, Scotland in 1735, who also had interest in Colebrookdale Furnace managed by Thomas Potts Jr., which supplied McCall's Forge with pig iron. Green Lane Forge, on Perky Omen Creek, notable for its excellent blooms, was built in 1733 by Thomas Mayberry, earliest settler in Marlborough Township, who bought 1,210 acres, supplied with pig iron from Durham Furnace, Bucks County.
Equipment, water wheel, huge bellows, two-year pipe, open hearth forge, melting pots and cone-like charcoal kilns. Montgomery County Automobile Trip to Valley Forge, returned by Schuylkill River Drive to Philadelphia. From 32nd and Market Streets, Philadelphia, out Lancaster Avenue, first turnpike in United States, completed in 1794, patterned for all subsequent roadbeds, main highway to Pittsburgh, once thronged with teams, coaches and Conestoga wagons with six horses, making 20 miles a day. Trip from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and return, 333 miles in six weeks. Wayside inns were located a mile apart.
Originally part of Indian Trail, later King's Highway, Lancaster Pike, Main Line, now Lincoln Highway, made free of tolls July 15th, 1917. Overbrook, Roman Catholic Theological Seminary, St. Charles Borromeo, contains painting Crucifixion by the late Thomas Eakins. The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, designed by E.A. Allen, Spanish Renaissance, 1898. Architects, Cope and Stewardson, considered finest residential school for blind in the world, particularly well equipped for the purpose. Montgomery County, near Narborough Station, Old Marion Meeting House, built 1695.
Stone, sharp roof, curious pointed gables over doors, peg is still shown where William Penn hung his hat when he rose to preach. Beyond His Sight of Penn Cottage, built 1695. Marion, Dr. Barnes Art Museum, built of imported French limestone, modern art. Ardmore, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and burial ground. Longchurch, built 1769. Present Church, 1873. Red Lion Inn, still standing. Haverford, Haverford College for Boys, founded in 1833 by Society of Orthodox Friends. Life is focused inward. Neither sight nor sound of the outer world reaches the campus of 225 acres, on which are farm and woodland, cricket and football fields, tennis courts, a running track and skating pond.
The arrangement of buildings, chiefly modern colonial, from 1833 to 1912, shows the result that comes only by slow growth and care. Architects, W.S. Vaux, Cope and Stewardson, W.F. Price, Bailey and Bassett. Library contains over 400 Babylonian clay tablets from 2500 B.C. Harris Collection of Oriental Manuscripts, 700 Reproductions and Fictile Ivory, of ancient and medieval carved ivories in British Museum, from 2nd to 18th centuries. Robert's Autographs, more than 11,000 items, covering period from late 15th century to present day. Some portraits of Haverford alumni. Old Haverford Meeting House, near Combs Creek, Stone, built 1696, has horse block used by William Penn in dismounting.
Chimney had curious openings and outside wall, through which firewood was introduced to the hearth. Their position is still traceable. The Buck Tavern, built 1732, now have Haverford House. Bryn Mawr, 415 feet above sea level, Welsh Great Hill. Bryn Mawr College, founded by Dr. Joseph W. Taylor of Burlington, New Jersey in 1880, to establish an Institute for Advanced Learning for women to have equal advantages with men. The College has continued a high standard of academic work and maintains graduate school for women doing research work in all branches. Buildings, chiefly varieties of Gothic architecture, Stone, date from 1882 to 1913.
Architects, Addison Hutton, Copeland Stewardson, C. Francis Osborne, Lockwood De Forest, and Windsor Soul. The Library, Jacobian Gothic, period 1630. Encloses Cloister Garden with center fountain. Bosses of Cloister arches are carved by hand. Sculptor, Alec Miller, from England. Memorial brasses, set in wall, were designed by Lockwood De Forest. Reading room contains portraits of President M. Carey Thomas by John S. Sargent and ex-President James E. Rhodes by William M. Chase.
Rosemont, residents Alba Johnson, Esquire, late Tudor, is typical of mainline residences, many of them Norman or English. Grounds and woodland and best traditions of English landscape gardening. Marble Statue of Eve, made 1855 by Bartholomew, Rome. Leeds Statuary, Neptune and Horses Fountain, from Bronze Grove Guild, Worcester, England. Walter Gilbert, Sculptor. The grounds may sometimes be seen by writing to owner for permission.
Villanova, Roman Catholic College and Monastery. Bernard Core Memorial Hall, Old English Gothic, built 1912-14. Architects, Durang and Son. Radnor, Delaware County, Friends Meeting House, built 1718. Eustace Hospital for Morgan's Riflemen and Potter's Brigade in 1778. St. David's Church, built 1715 by the Congregation, named for Patron Saint of Wales.
Native Stone, Eustace Hospital in Revolutionary War. Leaden Sash, melted for bullets. Swedish missionary at Wicaco held first services here. General Anthony Wayne, vestryman, is buried in church grounds. His monument was erected by Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati in 1809.
Judge William Moore and wife, buried under the doorstep. Their daughter was the wife of the first provost, William Smith, U of P communion service given by Queen Anne. Wayne, General Wayne Inn, hotel since 1707. Wayne's encampment near in 1792, before his western campaign against Indians. Chester County, Lincoln Highway to Stratford, Township Line Road to Valley Forge, see page 253.
Return, Montgomery County, Valley Forge Road to King of Prussia Inn, built 1749. Continue on Gulf Road to Gulf Mills. Stone, built 1747. Boulder Monument, inscription. Gulf Mills, the main continental army commanded by General George Washington,
encamped in this vicinity, December 13 to December 19, 1777, on way to Valley Forge, erected by the Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution, 1892. Over Gulf Creek near Gulf Station, Philadelphia and Western Railroad is Stone Bridge, inscription, Montgomery County, Upper Marion Township, 1787, in the second year of the Federal Union. West Concha-Hawken, Matson's Ford over which Lafayette retreated from the British in 1778,
continue along Schuylkill River Drive to Belmont Avenue, through Fairmount Park to Philadelphia. Montgomery County automobile trip on Old York Road to Doylestown, Bucks County, leading to Center Bridge. Old York Road, original stage route to New York, laid out in 1711, from City Line to Center Bridge. Elkins Park Station, residence of the late P.A.B. Widener. Linwood Hall, notable for one of the finest art collections in the United States.
Nearby, residence of William L. Elkins, has notable art gallery. Both galleries may sometimes be seen by writing to owners for cards of admission. South of Chelten Avenue, Stone Bridge, two arches, date 1793. Opposite is only milestone of old series south of the Neshamini. It is the seventh milestone mentioned in Washington's orders for the attack on Germantown.
West is residence of the late Lucretia Mott, Oak Farm, near Lamont, now Latham Park. O'Gonce, residence of the late Jay Cook, financier of the Civil War, named for an Indian chief whom he had met. Over to Coney Creek is Stone Bridge, inscription Cheltenham Bridge, 1798, seven and a half miles to Phila. Church Road, near Myers Mill, Cheltenham, site, country residence of William Penn. On part of this land is country residence of the late John Wanamaker.
At Washington Lane, southeast boundary of Jenkins Town, is large oak tree where Washington rested his white horse. A quarter of a mile east of Jenkins Town is Abington Friends Meeting House, organized 1682, built 1697 by William Jenkins from Wales. Stone, long piazza, old shutters with strap hinges and iron hooks, door latch and knobs. All in keeping with its period of construction, fine old trees and grounds are well cared for. One mile north, Rydell Station, O'Gonce School for Girls, lately in Jay Cook Mansion, organized about 1850 by Mrs. Bonnie and Delay.
Collegiate Gothic, built 1917, architects Cope and Stewardson, has art department. Through Meadowbrook, one mile east to Betheers, residence, Henry McCarter, artist. One mile north, Bryn Athon, name means Hill of Cohesiveness, a Swedenborgian educational community. Library contains the most valuable collection of Swedenborg's writings in the world. Here is being erected a cathedral, architect Ralph Adams Cram, gift of John Pitcairn.
Like the cathedrals of old, all work is prepared on the grounds. Wood carving and stone cutting by hand, glass manufactured, models made. The workmen in consultation with the donor and the architect to obtain the best results. Return to York Road. Abington Library, originally Jenkins Town Lyceum, built 1830, lately remodeled, modern colonial.
Contains valuable collection of books bequeathed by John Lambert, artist, who also left $50,000 in trust for purchasing paintings by young artists at annual exhibitions in Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Presbyterian Church, built 1714, is said to be third in this country. In 1740, George Whitefield preached here to 3,000 persons in one day. Willow Grove Park, pleasure resort, fine concerts given throughout the summer season by Sousa and others.
North on Doyle's Town Pike, Horsham, Graham Park. Colonial, stone house, hipped roof. Residents, Sir William Keith from Scotland. Baronet of Ludkuhairn, Aberdeenshire, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, 1717-26. He laid foundation of the military system, encouraged putting out paper currency,
and inaugurated a military display at Penn's death, property later owned by Dr. Thomas Graham, his son-in-law. Governor Keith's coat of arms is on a large iron plate in the fireplace. In the yard is an antique slave bell and stone strength tester. Quaker Meeting House, built 1803. Approaching Hatboro, Stone Bridge leads York Road over Pennypat Creek.
Inscription, Hatboro, 1780, 16 miles to P. It is said this bridge was built in 1824, stone taken from an outer bridge. Battle of Crooked Billet, named after a nearby tavern, fought in 1778. A small company of Americans under Colonel John Lacy were attacked by British under Lieutenant Colonel Abercrombie and nearly all killed. White Marble Monument was erected here in 1861.
Continued in Bucks County. Montgomery County automobile trip from Chestnut Hill to Camp Hill and Fort Washington, returned by Norristown to Philadelphia. At Chestnut Hill on Bethlehem Pike, we enter White Marsh Valley, umbilicaments, named from mists of Wisseheiken Creek.
Nearby is Erdenheim, Carson College on 100 acres of ground, richly endowed by Robert N. Carson for orphan girls, that they may have the same benefits which Gerard College has accorded to orphan boys. The architect, Albert Kelsey, has planned his design to be an allegorical vision of women's life, combining beauty, utility, and sympathy.
He eliminates the usual large central buildings, the administration and classrooms being in the nature of a college settlement, which make up in beauty what they lack in size, and may be expanded as occasion demands. St. Thomas, Protestant Episcopal Church, contains communion service given by Queen Anne, first log chapel built by Edward Farmer, 1690.
Stone church built, 1710, on first sight. During the Revolutionary War, church was occupied by various military forces, used as fort by British with guns and windows. The gravestones, long flat pieces of slate on four columns, used as cooking stoves, were used to build the church.
The gravestones, long flat pieces of slate on four columns, used as cooking stoves, with fires lighted underneath. Upright stones were marks for target practice. Bullet holes may still be seen in them. American forces camped here, November 22, 1777.
Being warned by Lydia Derrach of a British attack when the enemy made their appearance, General Wayne opened fire from Fort Washington, the British retreating with the loss of 100 men. White Marsh Church is repeatedly mentioned in Washington's diary as a center of operations. Present church, near first sight, consecrated 1881.
Gothic, native stone, interesting interior, with high pointed roof and narrow lancet memorial windows, all made abroad but one. Angel of the Resurrection by Tiffany. High on west wall is a rose window.
Three small lights in the George and Anna Catherine sheaf window are said to have been painted by Albrecht Dürer. Raridos, Christ breaking the bread, painted in Italy. Altar, Indiana limestone with carved angels kneeling. The rude screen with loft, English quartered oak, is exquisitely carved.
Encircling a window is a mural decorated by Marianna Sloan. In the burial ground is an Iona Cross, marking last resting place of Henry Howard Houston, for whose memorial Houston Hall was given to the University of Pennsylvania. View from north door of church shows East Camp Hill,
and valley below, Washington's headquarters. Stone house, two and a half stories, one half mile east from Camp Hill Station, Pennsylvania Railroad, left wing of army, posted rear of house.
Here Washington decided to establish fortified encampment at Valley Forge. December 12th, whole army ordered to march to Valley Forge via Swedes of Ford, Norristown, where they crossed the Schuylkill on a bridge of wagons, with rails laid over them.
Swedes Ford, hotel built 1723, still standing at Bridgeport. North of St. Thomas Church, we locate Fort Washington by its flagstaff, in center of earthwork thrown up by General Anthony Wayne's men. West from church, Militia Hill, where some of the stones, used as anchors for tents, are still in position.
At foot of hill is Wissahickin Creek, over which leads the high railroad bridge belonging to the Trenton Cut-Off of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Passing Fort Side Inn, north on Bethlehem Pike, is Stone Marker. Inscription, about 700 feet south of this stone
is an American redoubt and site of house threatened attack, December 6th, 1777. From here Washington's army marched to Valley Forge. Erected 1891 by the Pennsylvania Society, sons of the Revolution. Farther on Bethlehem Pike, over Sandy Run,
is the village of Fort Washington, now home of the Darby School of Painting, a summer art school conducted by Hugh H. Breckenridge, member of the faculty of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Their science of color is taught in its fullest significance.
On Anger Town Road is Old Friends Meeting House. Farther on Lime Kiln Pike is Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women. Post Office, Ambler, founded in 1910. Thorough training, through all seasons, eliminates waste of costly inexperience
and fits a woman for a life that is healthful, attractive, and remunerative. Near Sumney Town and Butler Pike is Three Tons Inn. Gwyneth Meeting House, built 1700. Welsh Quakers worshipped here. Down Butler Pike to Ambler,
residence of Dr. R. V. Madison, built 1890, Scotch-Baronial style, wrought iron gates designed in Munich. Opposite is Trinity Memorial Church, Romanesque, noted for its beautiful windows.
Designed by F.S. Lamb, original, and adapted from paintings by world-famous artists of scenes in Christ's life, made by J. and R. Lamb. Interior paneled in oak, similar to House of Parliament, London.
Font, Italian marble, good design. Through Morris Road, over bridge crossed by Washington's army, between Morris and Skipback Roads, one mile west of Ambler, is stone residence, built by Abraham Dawes in 1736,
was Washington's headquarters, October 21, 1777. Out Skipback Road, on road from Center Square to Hebnerville, Washington's headquarters, October 16, residence of Peter Wentz, still standing, two-story, stone, built 1758.
Out Township Line to Culp'sville, on Sumny Town Road, Baptist or Mennonite Meeting House, here are buried General Francis Nash of North Carolina, and other officers who died of wounds received in the Battle of Germantown.
Northwest, one mile, Harleysville, residence of Henry Funk, Bishop of Mennonite Church, who, with the Dunkards of Ifrata, made translation, in 1748, from the German, of Thielmann Jan van Braat's
great historical book of the Mennonites, termed the noblest specimen of American colonial bibliography. Henry Funk's mill, still standing, known as Musselmann's mill, contains a parchment deed, date 1733,
with great seal of the province and signature of Thomas Penn. Return to Skipback Road, to Pennypacker's mills, Schwanksville, residence of the late Governor Samuel Pennypacker, two-story stone house, Washington's headquarters before and after Battle of Germantown.
Army marched down Skipback Road, 7 p.m., October 3rd, to attack the enemy. Here, October 7th, Washington received a committee of friends, appointed by the yearly meeting, against war. Schwanksville was settled by Schwenkfelders
from Silesia in 1734. Casper Schwenkfeld preached in 1523, doctrines accepted by George Fox in 1648, were forerunners of Quakers. The Perky Omen Seminary at Pennsburg
originated in a school founded by Schwenkfelders, 1764. Down Perky Omen Creek Road, over finest old stone bridge in state, five arches, built 1799. Architect George Lewis
carries ridge road over Perky Omen Creek at Collegeville, Ursinus College, Coed Lutheran, portraits by Albert Rosenthal, and Old Providence Meeting House. One mile west, at Trap,
Augustus Church, oldest Lutheran church in the United States, built 1743, unaltered, used as a hospital for American soldiers during Revolutionary War. Henry Melky or Muhlenberg was sent from Hall, Germany, in 1742, to organize this church in Pennsylvania.
First regularly ordained preacher, reports he sent to Hall supply much early original information. His sons, born here, were General Peter Muhlenberg, pastor of church in Shenandoah Valley, who called on his congregation to enlist in the Revolutionary War,
and Frederick Augustus, speaker, first National Congress, 1789. Evansburg, St. James Protestant Episcopal Church and schoolhouse, built about 1700, contains Bible, prayer book, and Old Walnut Communion Table,
sent over by the English Society in 1723 to its foreign mission. Revolutionary soldiers are buried in the churchyard. Here is an eight-arch stone bridge, dates 1792. Norristown, county seat, settled 1784,
population 32,319. Courthouse built 1791, native white marble. On grounds is written house monument, granite shaft, dedicated 1876, marks the Meridian. Jail, built 1851, red sandstone, castellated norman,
architect for courthouse and jail, and Lebrun. Historical Society of Montgomery County has local historical collections. St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, Gothic, dedicated 1815. Revolutionary soldiers are buried in its grounds. Montgomery Trust Company, Greek, Ionic,
westerly granite and Indiana limestone, facing public square on site of First Hotel in Norristown. In Montgomery Cemetery are buried Charles Heber Clark, Max Adler, and General Winfield Scott Hancock. Plymouth Meeting, old friend's meeting house,
built 1715, stone, used as hospital during Revolutionary War. Thomas Hovenden, artist, buried in grounds. Residence of Mrs. Thomas Hovenden, Helen Corson, was a noted underground railway station for refugee slaves. Stone Bridge over Plymouth Creek, date 1796.
Stone Bridge carrying Germantown and Redding Railroad over Plymouth Creek, date 1802. Barron Hill, Lafayette, and detachment of army attacked here by British, May 18, 1778. Roxborough, Philadelphia, St. Timothy's Protestant Episcopal Church
has frieze, procession of angels, through Ridge Avenue to Wissehicken Drive, Fairmount Park to Philadelphia. End of Section 21.
