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HISTORICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 CHIEFLY RELATING TO THE 
 
 EARLY SETTLEMENT OF FRIENDS 
 
 AT '^ ~' 
 
 5^ 
 
 FALLS, 
 
 Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 
 
 G. W. B. 
 
 1882. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 Pkinting House of John P. Murphy, 
 227 South Fifth St. 
 

HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Among tliose eminent for virtue, energy, 
 religious weight, and usefulness in church and 
 state ; who left their dwelling places in old 
 ancestral England, and crossing the Atlantic, 
 founded their habitations in foreign lands, sur- 
 rounded by wilderness aspects, and unciAdlized 
 aborigines, was Phineas Pemberton ; a goodly 
 number of his contemporaries, who, like him- 
 self, were primitive settlers of the country 
 lying adjacent to the falls of the Delaware 
 River, in the south-eastern part of Bucks 
 County, Pennsylvania, (a locality recognized 
 by the general name of Falls,) were those of 
 congenial character, and who with him, doubt- 
 less, were largely instrumental in shaping the 
 local affairs, and future prospects of the newly 
 planted colony, by their wise counsels, their 
 upright walking, their diligent industry, their 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 prudent economy, their Christian spirit, and 
 religious weight and influence. 
 
 Numerous offices of trust and importance 
 were conferred upon Phineas Pemborton in 
 the civil and public service of the county and 
 province of which he was a resident, and being 
 a prominent member of the little community 
 with which he was surrounded, it may not be 
 uninteresting, historically, to refer to an earlier 
 period, and as sketched chiefly by himself, 
 bring partially into view the standing and 
 position of some of the prim.itive settlers, and 
 trace some of the influences and considerations- 
 which finally resulted in the immigration of a 
 band of fifty-two persons from England, ap- 
 parently bound together by common interest, 
 and looking forward to the same place of de- 
 barkation, which the captain of the vessel they 
 occupied, promised by coniract, should be at a 
 satisfactory place in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Phineas, the son of Ralph and Margaret 
 Pemberton, was born eleventh month, 31st, 
 1649, and in due time was apprenticed to 
 John Abraham, a valuable friend, whose re- 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 
 
 sidence was at Manchestei', England. Pos- 
 sessing energy, fearlessness, and independence 
 in a remarkable degree, he, in common with 
 many of his brethren of those days, several 
 times suffered persecution for conscience sake, 
 even while serving as an apprentice. After 
 one of these seasons of trial, he wrote a long 
 letter to his father, describing the proceedings ; 
 this letter has been referred to as portraying 
 a " specimen of undaunted bearing, honest 
 firmness, and promptness of reply, little to be 
 expected in a youth then under age ; " it is 
 concluded in the following language: "Blessed 
 be the Lord God of everlasting goodness, that 
 gave me power and dominion over and above 
 them all ! I can truly say when he (the pre- 
 siding officer) had uttered all his railing and 
 bitterness, and all the cruelty that was in him, 
 it was no more to me than if he had smiled 
 upon me." In addition to other railing words, 
 this officer,, or justice, as he was called, told 
 Phineas that this was his second offense, and 
 if he offended again, he would be hanged, and 
 that he, himself, would prosecute. 
 
6 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Phineas has left a record of the following- 
 particulars relating to the last visit that he 
 ever made to his aifectionate master, whose 
 precepts and example, and fatherly care, had 
 been of su much value to him during the im- 
 portant period of his apprenticeship. 
 
 "The 19th of the 4th month, 1681, being the 
 first day of the week, he being then sick, of the 
 sickness whei^eof he in a short time afterwards 
 died, I went from home early in the morning 
 to visit him thinking, after I had visited him, 
 to go to the meeting in the town, (Manchester) 
 and I had acquainted him that I intended to 
 take my journey toward London in a few days. 
 About meeting time, being about to take leave, 
 Ralph Ridgway being then present, and ready 
 to go with me, he desired us to stay awhile, 
 and said to me : I would not have thee go to 
 meeting this day, but spend it with me ; for 
 thou mayest not have another to spend with 
 me; but to enjoy the benefit of a meeting, thou 
 mayest have more opportunities. Accordingly 
 I stayed, and the friend R. R., for some time, 
 and he placed us on each hand of his chair. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 7 
 
 After a little silence he desired to stand up, 
 and, being helped by us, he leaned on our 
 shoulders, and spoke forth in a living spring 
 of life, of the loving kindness of the Lord unto 
 him, and how it had been extended, and was 
 stretched out, and continued still unto him ; 
 and also, how he had walked and spent his 
 days in his fear ; and of his assurance of his 
 favors and blessings ; and of his willingness to 
 receive his dissolution, that he might arrive at 
 that long desired haven of rest. And although, 
 he was under great weakness of body, yet, he 
 was so filled with life, that he livingly spoke 
 forth his words as when in his strength, to the 
 penetrating, and piercing, and tendering of my 
 spirit." 
 
 Phineas relates the following pleasing in- 
 cident respecting his first acquaintance with 
 Phebe Harrison, which took place in 1669, 
 and whom he afterwards married. " Phebe, 
 with her mother, as they were going into Che- 
 shire, called at my master's shop, but I knew 
 them not ; she being about nine years of age, 
 said to her mother, (having some cherries in 
 
8 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 her apron,) I have a mind to give one of 
 these young men some cherries ; her mother 
 said, then give to both. She said, no ; I will 
 but give to one: and through the crowd of 
 people that then stood before the counter, she 
 pressed, holding out her hand with cherries 
 for me, before I was well aware, and I admired 
 that a child I knew not, should otfer me such 
 kindness; but on inquiring, remembered that 
 I had heard her name; and retaliated her 
 kindness at the same time with a paper of 
 brown candy." 
 
 Time passed on, and the friendship and. at- 
 tachment existing between Phineas and Phebe 
 still progressing, it resulted in marriage en- 
 gagement, and, eventually, in their marriage. 
 A copy of the certificate appertaining to the oc- 
 casion, from the records of Hardshaw Monthly 
 Meeting, exhibits the simplicity, language and 
 order of those primitive times ; and it is pro- 
 bable that the same peculiarities which charac- 
 terized those worthies, Boulton and its vicinity, 
 were carried to America by the noble band that 
 immigrated from thence, and settling within the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 9 
 
 borders of what was afterward Falls Monthly 
 Meeting, were instrumental in disseminating 
 their principles and peculiarities around them. 
 
 In relation to the ceremonial proceeding 
 which terminated in its accomplishment on 
 the first day of the eleventh month, (repre- 
 sented as being called January,) 1676, Phineas 
 wiiites : "We joined together in marriage be- 
 fore many witnesses, and Jesus was there. It 
 was solemnized in the heart melting and ten- 
 dering power of Grod ; also many were wit- 
 nesses thereof, departing thence with a sense 
 of the weighty savor of life, which proceeded 
 from the fountain thereof, even the Son of 
 Ood; and it rested upon their spirits, to the 
 great refreshment of many, as the distilled 
 showers upon the tender grass." • 
 
 From the overflowings of a grateful heart, 
 Phineas, in after years, thus wrote of their 
 union. " In this, our weighty undertaking, 
 we had our eye unto the Lord, and He had 
 regard unto us ; He honored us with his pre- 
 sence, and hath been our support and defense 
 through all difficulties, even to this present 
 
10 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 day. We will render and give to him our 
 hearts, and we shall then be enabled to offer 
 up the oifering of praise and thanksgiving 
 acceptably to Him, who is over all, and above 
 all, is worthy, worthy thereof, saith my soul, 
 for ever and ever." 
 
 The followino- extract is from a letter writ- 
 ten by Phineas Pemberton to his wife the 
 year before her decease : "I am thine in the 
 power of that endeared love which the power 
 of death cannot break. The root lies hid by 
 the hand of Divine Providence, until the warm 
 rays again prevail ; and then it shoots forth in 
 tender buds, and is clothed with its wonted 
 beauty and loveliness. So will seasons con- 
 tinue, until we shall be transported to that 
 region, where there shall be no more such 
 winters and wrestlings." 
 
 There is an interesting feature in the history 
 of Phineas Pemberton and his friends of Boul- 
 ton, and those parts. They were remarkable 
 for their courage and constancy in braving the 
 storm of persecution, and yet remarkable for 
 their tenderness of heart, and as an evidence 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 11 
 
 of their sensibility and tenderness of feeling, 
 the following beautiful little sketch of Ann, 
 the eldest daughter of Phineas and Phebe, is 
 inserted : 
 
 " The first child born to this loving pair was 
 named Ann, and appears to have been as 
 interesting and lovely as her mother. When 
 about four years of age, her health failed, and 
 she felt that death would soon take her from 
 her dear parents and friends. That valuable 
 minister, Rodger Longworth, being about to 
 depart upon a religious visit to Germany, this 
 little girl who loved him greatly, when bid- 
 ding him farewell, said she must never see 
 him again, and so it proved ; for her illness 
 soon iuCTeased upon her, and meekly and 
 gently as if going to sleei?, the beautiful clay 
 came to a perfect rest ; as the spirit departed 
 to the God who gave it. Her grandfather 
 Harrison thus writes of her: Most sweetly 
 methinks she yet liveth. I think some hun- 
 dreds came to see her as she lay, after she was 
 departed ; some bowing and kissing her ; and 
 many broke forth and fell a weeping. She lay 
 
12 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 as if she had been in a sound sleep, with a 
 fresh and lively countenance. The remem- 
 brance of it melts my heart." 
 
 Our friends were lovers of peace and quiet- 
 ness, and, doubtless, their patience was often 
 sorely tried. The malice of some of the 
 Priests, the tyrannical dispositions of men in 
 power, and the cruelty and annoyance mani- 
 fested by many in the more humble walks of 
 life, produced great interruptions and unset- 
 tlement in their outward affairs, as well as 
 abridgment of liberty, and suffering of body. 
 It is no marvel that the frequent trials to 
 which this peace-loving people were subjected, 
 in the form of imprisonments, fines, levies, 
 distresses, impositions, and ill-treatment in a 
 variety of ways, in the operation of unright- 
 eous laws, administered by unrelenting offi- 
 cials, should loosen their hold upon the land 
 of their nativity, and interest their minds in 
 a country where civil and religious liberty 
 were to be respected. 
 
 In the year 1681, William Penn obtained 
 the grant of the province of Pennsylvania, 
 
OF FKIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 13 
 
 and made preparations to found a colony 
 there upon what he believed to be true Chris- 
 tian principles, and some of our friends deter- 
 mined to adopt this land of promise as their 
 future home. We cannot suppose that this 
 resolution was matured in their own will and 
 wisdom, they were too sensible of their de- 
 pendence upon Divine Providence to proceed 
 in a measure of such importance, without 
 feeling an evidence of Divine permission or 
 approval. But we find that the prospect of 
 removing to Pennsylvania, gradually became 
 brighter and brighter, until at length they 
 resolved to remove thither, and made prepa- 
 rations accordingly. 
 
 It is said that the friends of these immigrants 
 to the western hemisphere, were very loth to 
 part with them, for their upright conduct, and 
 kind and hospitable manner, together with 
 the ties of consanguinity, and common faith, 
 had largely endeared them to their friends, 
 and also to many of their neighbors. In re- 
 ference thereto, James Harrison thus writes : 
 " Love in people appears more than ever ; 
 
14 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 some argue against our going ; others declare 
 their trouble, and sa_y that they are sorry ; 
 and some cry when they think of our going." 
 It is further stated, that according to the cus- 
 tom and order of the society. Friends gave 
 them a certificate; and it has been represented 
 as being " most tender, full and large." 
 
 Having embarked on board of the ship, 
 '^Submission," Captain James Settle, then lying 
 at Liverpool, they bid adieu to their native 
 land, and set sail for America on the fifth of 
 the seventh month, 1682. Their company con- 
 sisted of fifty-t\v(i persons, among whom were 
 Ralph Peniberton, Phineas Pemberton, Phebe 
 his wife, Abigail and Joseph their infant chil- 
 dren, Agnes Harrison, James Harrison, Anne 
 his wife, Robert Bond, and Lydia Wharmby. 
 The terms agreed upon between the passengers 
 and captain were these : he was to receive four 
 pounds two shillings per head for every one 
 twelve years of age and upward, and two 
 pounds two shillings for every one under 
 twelve, and thirt}^ shillings per ton for their 
 goods, and was to proceed with the ship to the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 15 
 
 "Delaware River, or elsewhere in Pennsyl- 
 vania, to the best conveniency of freighters." 
 
 At the distant period of time, when this in- 
 teresting band of emigrants to a foreign and 
 distant land, tnrned their backs on England, 
 and committed themselves to the perils of the 
 turbulent find trackless ocean, a \'oyage to 
 America was a ^ery formidable undertaking. 
 Vessels were imperfect, and na^dgators un- 
 skillfvil, and the voyage tedious and dangerous. 
 But they knew in whom they trusted, and it is 
 reasonable to suppose that many of them re- 
 signed themselves in faith, to the mercy and 
 protection of that power that could control 
 the winds and the waves, and enable them to 
 reach their destined port in safety ; or, if more 
 consistent with the Divine will, require their 
 lives, and conduct their souls to a better in- 
 heritance, the haven of everlasting peace and 
 rest. 
 
16 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 In violation of the contract between Captain 
 Settle and his passengers, he sailed with his 
 ship, "Submission," for Maryland, instead of 
 Pennsylvania, encountered a severe storm at 
 sea, and arrived in the Pautuxent River on 
 the 30tli of eighth month, 1682, disembarking 
 his passengers, and unlading their goods at 
 Choptank. This dishonest conduct of the 
 Captain was a serious disadvantage to our 
 friends, and detained them several months 
 from their place of destination, which was 
 near the falls f>f the DelaM^are in Pennsyl- 
 vania. James Harrison and Phineas Pem- 
 berton, leaving their families at the house of 
 William Dickenson, travelled overland byway 
 of New Castle to the place where Philadel- 
 phia now stands. At New Castle, they had 
 hoped for an interview with William Penn 
 who had arri\'ed on the 24th of the eighth 
 month, previous; but they did not succeed at 
 that time in obtaining any intercourse with 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 17 
 
 him, he being absent in New York. Phila- 
 delphia was not yet founded; its site was a 
 wilderness, and they could procure no enter- 
 tainment for their horses ; and after spancel- 
 ling them, and turning them out in the woods, 
 availed therasehes of such accommodations as 
 they carried with them, and were, otherwise, 
 obtainable. The next morning the horses 
 could not be found, and after two days' search- 
 ing for them in vain, they were abandoned. 
 In this dilemma the travellers concluded to 
 take boat and proceed up the Delaware River. 
 The result of this expedition is thus recorded : 
 " William Yardley, an uncle to Phineas Pem- 
 berton, had arri^'ed a few weeks before him, 
 and had taken u.p land at the Falls, where 
 he commenced the erection of a habitation. 
 On the banks of the Delaware, opposite to 
 Orclean's Island, Phineas determined to settle, 
 and purchased a tract of three hundred acres 
 of land which he called " Grove Place." As 
 he and his father-in-law were returning from 
 their tour of investigation, the latter, having 
 been chosen a member of the Assembly, and 
 
18 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 speaker of the House of Provincial Repre- 
 sentatives, remained at Chester, before called 
 Upland. Here the first General Assembly 
 met, in the month called December, William 
 Penn being President. The sessions continued 
 three days, in ^vhicli about sixty laws or acts 
 Avere passed in due form." The circumstance 
 of landing in Maryland, instead of a conve- 
 nient place on the River Delaware, subjected 
 Phineas Pemberton and company to a tedious 
 and annoying transportation of themselves 
 and movables to the Falls ; which was not 
 accomplished until the second month, 1683. 
 Phineas, with his family, pending the erection 
 of a dwelling upon his own land, abode at the 
 house of Lyonel Brittain, a friend who had 
 settled earlier at the Falls. On a very old 
 map of the locality, James Harrison's name is 
 indorsed upon a plot representing a tract of 
 land adjoining that of Phineas Pemberton. 
 
 Among those eminent for piety and useful- 
 ness — who received the truth in the love of it, 
 in the revival of primitive Christianity in its 
 ancient purity ; in the dawning of a brighter 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 19 
 
 day, after a long night of apostacy ; a day 
 of renewed breaking forth of gospel light 
 and power — was James liarrison; concerning 
 "whom, two of his contemporaries, William 
 Yardley and Phineas Pemberton, pnt forth 
 the following testimony : " That the righteous 
 may not be buried in oblivion, we give forth 
 this testimony concerning our well-beloved 
 friend James Harrison, who was born at 
 Kendal in Westmorland ; and in the break- 
 ing forth of truth in those parts, he was early 
 convinced thereof, and, in a short time after, 
 came forth in a public testimony for the same. 
 His ministry was not in the wisdom of this 
 world, but in the demonstration of the spirit 
 and power of God, by which many were con- 
 vinced, the serpent's head was broken, the 
 wisdom of the flesh confounded, and several 
 came forth in a living testimony for God, who 
 ■were begotten to the Lord by him, and still 
 remain seals to his ministry. As he was in- 
 strumental in turning many to God, so he was 
 helpful in the establishing such as were con- 
 verted, being a good pattern, as well in con- 
 
20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 versation as in doctrine, walking uprightly as 
 in the daytime, being bold and valiant for 
 the truth, in opposing its enemies, whether 
 professors or profane, though they often raged 
 sore against him, so that his sufferings were 
 very great, both by imprisonment and spoil 
 of goods ; yet, he always with great courage 
 kept his ground against all those that rose 
 up against him, for truth's sake, which was of 
 more worth to him. than all outward enjoy- 
 ments. In the year 1682 he removed with 
 his family into Pennsylvania, and as his testi- 
 mony was in the power of God when in the 
 land of his nativity, so it was when here, he 
 being likewise serviceable many ways. And 
 though he had great concerns in this world, 
 yet he earnestly labored to keep a conscience 
 void of otfense, being a man of peaceable 
 spirit, and the Lord's power kept him a sweet 
 savor to the end. He bore his sickness with 
 much patience, though often greatly bowed 
 down therewith, to the time of his departure, 
 laying down his head in peace, and passing 
 away in much stillness. His removal being 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 21 
 
 our loss, but his gain, for, blessed are the dead 
 who die in the Lord, they shall rest from their 
 labors, and their works do follow them." 
 
 James Harrison suffered much in his native 
 land, in support of the doctrines and testimo- 
 nies he felt bound to uphold and defend ; and 
 his fidelity to his Divine ^Master, and zealous- 
 ness in his cause, led to his imprisonment in 
 the years 1660, '61, '63, '64, '65 and '66. The 
 cup of suffering arising from the persecution 
 of the times, was often meted out to him, and 
 not unfrequently to his wife, who appears to 
 have been his truly sympathizing friend, a 
 faithful partaker of his joys and sorrows, a 
 mother in our Israel, and a prominent helper 
 in the society of which she was a member. Of 
 her, Phineas Pemberton thus writes: " In all 
 the before-mentioned sufferings, his wife, that 
 worthy matron, was not dejected or cast down, 
 but went through all with a cheerful spirit, 
 having her aim and eye upon that lot of 
 inheritance, whose builder and maker is 
 God, and is beyond the reach of persecution. 
 Whether he was in bonds or at liberty, in suf- 
 
22 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 ferings or out of sufferings, always managing 
 his and her own business and herself, with 
 great prudence and dexterity ; taking delight, 
 and making it her business, how to spend her 
 days in the service of truth, and the serving 
 of its friends ; behaving herself in such an 
 even frame and temper of spirit, to all per- 
 sons and at all times, that she was greatly 
 beloved by friends, and enemies scarce daring 
 to come nigh, her conduct was so prudent." 
 
 William Yardley appears to have been a 
 friend largely gifted for the administration of 
 the discipline, as well as an eminent minister 
 in the Society of Friends: the early records of 
 Falls Monthly Meeting, give evidence of his 
 usefulness in the affairs of the Church, and 
 the high estimation in which his friends held 
 him ; a full share of the meeting business 
 appears to have fallen to his lot, which it is 
 reasonable to suppose, he transacted with fidel- 
 ity and sound judgment, as became a pillar 
 in the Church, and a faithful guardian of 
 the monthly meeting in its infant state ; he 
 being one of its originators, among whom his 
 
or FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 23 
 
 name stands first. He mi orated to America 
 in the fiftieth year of his age, and, doubtless, 
 the experience, counsel and fatherly care of such 
 a friend, were of great value to those among 
 whom his lot was cast, and being a friend of 
 superior judgment, was eminently calculated 
 to dispense that which was comfortable, and 
 that which was ]Drofitable around him. Hav- 
 ing, in his youth, chosen that good part which 
 was never taken away from him, and being- 
 favored to partake largely of Divine qualifica- 
 tions and favors, he did not j^ut his liglit 
 under a bushel, nor hide his talent iu the 
 earth, but labored as ability was extended, for 
 the present and eternal welfare of his fellow 
 man ; first, in England, the land of his na- 
 tivity, and place of his residence' for near half 
 a century, and, where it is said, " he received 
 the truth with a ready mind and gladness of 
 heart, and thought nothing too dear to part 
 with for it," and where he labored abundantly, 
 being zealous for the prosperity of Zion, and 
 ■the enlargement of her borders. And after 
 his migration to America, where his services 
 
24 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 were so eminently useful, as a light shining 
 in a wilderness land he still went about doing 
 good, proving himself an able minister of the 
 gospel, and a faithful watchman of Zion's 
 walls ; zealously concerned to keep the camp 
 free from defilement, whether of a spiritual 
 or moral character, and a pleasing companion 
 in social life. The influence of such a friend 
 was of great value when the foundations of 
 society were being laid in the wilds of 
 America. 
 
 It is pleasing to muse upon a picture such 
 as this, upon such an example of faithfulness, 
 of uprightness, of devotedness to the welfare 
 of the Church, and the good of mankind gene- 
 rally. And it is pleasing to turn from the 
 blood-stained history of most of the other colo- 
 nies of America, and dwell upon the peaceable 
 and righteous civil and religious policy advo- 
 cated by William Yardley, and other kindred 
 spirits of his day. These were stars of hea- 
 venly lustre ; not as the stars of some of the 
 other colonies, that attained an earthly bright- 
 ness by famous deeds of blood ; our worthies 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 25 
 
 did not seek to advance the Redeemer's king- 
 dom, nor to prove the efficacy of Gospel prin- 
 ciples, nor to promote the welfare of their 
 fellow man, in that way ; but the blessings of 
 peace and prosperity generally accompanied 
 them in their civil and religious concerns ; a 
 kind Providence was evidently 'round about 
 them to preserve and protect ; the ^vey spirit 
 of the red man was held in subjection, and his 
 affections were Avon by the irresistible power 
 of Christian love. And this friendship was 
 not of momentary duration ; it was not as an 
 empty bubble, or a misty vapor, dissolving in 
 air, and leaving no traces of its existence ; but 
 its permanency has been transmitted from sire 
 to son, and is coe^'al with the lapse of time from 
 that day to this. And this friendship was 
 useful and comforting to both parties, and 
 proved, in measure, that our friends had built 
 upon the right foundation — " by their fruits ye 
 shall know them." 
 
 William Biles, a co-temporary, and much 
 esteemed friend of the immigrants who were 
 primitive settlers about the Falls of the Dela- 
 
26 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 ware, was an active, able, and early supporter 
 of the civil government founded by William 
 Penn, in the Province of Pennsylvania. He 
 was one of the first delegates chosen to repre- 
 sent the inhabitants of Bucks County, in the 
 Provincial Assembly, and a share in its im- 
 portant concerns was frequently confided to 
 him in subsequent years. Nor was he less 
 skillful in Church government : the ancient 
 records of Falls Monthly Meeting, show him 
 to have been instrumental in its first establish- 
 ment, and largely concerned in the transaction 
 of its business, the first of the monthly meet- 
 ings being held at his house. It would be 
 difficult at this distant day to fix upon the 
 precise period when William Biles first settled 
 at the Falls, or from whence he came, as there 
 does not appear to be any record handed down 
 to us from which such information might be 
 gathered ; but judging from the trust and 
 confidence in him reposed, both in civil and 
 church government, it is evident that he was 
 a man of no common character. There is a 
 large brick dwelling, of ancient date, erected 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 27 
 
 on the west bank of what is generally called 
 Biles Creek, being a portion of the Delaware 
 River which circumscribes the western and 
 southern borders of the fertile Island bearing 
 the name of Biles ; this house has been repre- 
 sented by tradition, and from the initials in- 
 scribed upon it, as the homestead of William 
 Biles ; but it, probably, was the second house 
 he had erected on the same site. There is a 
 large and fertile farm appended to this ancient 
 habitation, and, upon a portion thereof, until, 
 comparatively speaking, recent times, was 
 pointed out a burial ground containing the 
 remains of slaves, which is now obliterated. 
 It, manifestly, would be in vain to undertake 
 to disguise the assumption, that there were 
 those in fellowship with friends, among the 
 early settlers at the Falls, who held slaves; 
 but be it also said of them that the evil of 
 slavery was early recognized, and the system 
 abandoned. 
 
 William Darke, Lyonel Brittain and Wil- 
 liam Beaks were also of the number who were 
 instrumental in the first establishment of 
 
28 HISTORICAL, ACCOUNT 
 
 Falls Monthly Meeting, and its records are 
 evidence of their activity and usefulness in 
 the transaction of its business. Of their his- 
 tory but little is now known ; they, probably, 
 were drawn hither by the attractions of civil 
 and religious liberty, where they might pub- 
 licly worship, maintain their peculiarities, and 
 support all their principles, unmolested by 
 mobs, and rude and unfeeling Officials of 
 Grovernment; the confiscation of property, and 
 tedious and suffering imprisonment, which 
 generally followed the faithful support of 
 Friend's doctrines and testimonies in England 
 in those days. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 29 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Falls Monthly Meeting of Friends was 
 organized in the third month, 1683, and its 
 sessions have been continued through a space 
 of time amounting to within a few months of 
 two hundred years. The first Book of Records 
 contains the minutes of the meeting for about 
 half a century ; the language exhibits the 
 abbreviations and peculiarities of the old 
 English style, and the minutes, for years, are 
 recorded in the handwriting of Phineas Pem- 
 berton. The first page of this Book of Records 
 contains the following title: "A record of the 
 proceedings of the Men's Monthly Meeting, 
 held near the Falls of the Delaware, in the 
 County of Bucks, and Province of Pennsyl- 
 vania," under which the following passages of 
 Scripture are written : 
 
 " Brethren, if any of you do err from the 
 truth, and one convert him, let him know that 
 he which converteth a sinner from the error of 
 his way shall save a soul from death, and shall 
 
30 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES 
 
 hide a multitude of sins. James, 5th Chap. 
 
 19, 20th VERSE. 
 
 "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others 
 also may fear. I Tim., 5th Chap., 20th verse. 
 
 " A man that is a heretic, after the first and 
 second admonition reject, knowing that he that 
 is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being con- 
 demned of himself. TiTus, 3d Chap. 10, 11th 
 verse. 
 
 " For if a man know not how to rule his own 
 house, how shall he take care of the Church of 
 God. Tim., 3d Chap., 5th verse." 
 
 On the succeeding page appears a record of 
 the proceedings of the first Falls Monthly 
 Meeting; it e.\:hibits reasons why it was set 
 up, and describes other incidents relating to 
 its organization, being as follows : 
 
 "At a meeting at William Biles' house, the 
 2d day of the third month, 1683, then held to 
 wait upon the Lord for his wisdom, to hear 
 what should be offered, in order to inspect into 
 the affairs of the Church, that all things might 
 be kept therein sweet and savory to the Lord, 
 and by our care over the Church, helpful in 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 31 
 
 the work of God, and we, whose names follow, 
 being present, thought it fit and necessary that 
 a monthly meeting should be set up of both 
 men and women Friends, and that this meeting 
 to be the first of the men's meetings after 
 our arrival in these parts. William Yardley, 
 James Harrison, Phineas Pemberton, William 
 Biles, William Darke, Lyonel Brittain, Wil- 
 liam Beakes." 
 
 The monthly meeting being thus organized 
 and prepared to proceed to business, but one 
 subject appears to ha^e claimed its attention. 
 A member being disposed to take the usual 
 preliminary steps toward proceeding in mar- 
 riage, had laid his intentions before Burlington 
 Monthly Meeting, where Falls Friends were 
 represented previous to the establishment of 
 their own ; but it being out of his power at 
 that time to produce a certificate of member- 
 ship from England, Friends of Burlington 
 were unwilling to grant permission for further 
 proceeding until greater clearness appeared. 
 The said intentions were now proposed in this 
 first monthly meeting at the Falls, but no 
 
32 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 certificate of membership being yet produced, ' 
 and Friends at Falls not being sufficiently 
 informed of ttie position occupied by Burling- 
 ton Meeting in relation to its proceeding 
 in the case, obstructions were recognized. Falls 
 Friends appear to have been very desirous that 
 this marriage should not take place until, as 
 they said, way opened with more clearness for 
 it : they did not relax labor for the purpose of 
 attaining this desirable object, but as faith- 
 ful watchmen upon the walls of their Zion, 
 they were slow to hazard the reputation of 
 their profession, whereby truth might suffer ; 
 they therefore, administered this advice to the 
 parties, that they should " wait in patience 
 until Friends were satisfied in it." We may, 
 therefore, well suppose that these earnest 
 advocates of order were much grieved to hear 
 that the marriage had been accomplished out 
 of the order of society, which information was 
 reported to the next monthly meeting, and 
 Friends were not backward in placing the prin- 
 cipal offender under dealing. An abridged 
 na-]Tati\'e of the proceedings appertaining to 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 33 
 
 the case, has been introduced chiefly for the 
 purpose of bringing into view the great care- 
 fulness of both Falls and Burlington Meet- 
 ings, in endeavoring to guard their pro- 
 fession against reproach, together with their 
 manifestation of eflPort to establish and to 
 sustain the general prevalence of good 
 order ; these objects and purposes include the 
 information contained in the quaint document 
 from Burlington. And although there may- 
 be those in this, our day, who do not look 
 upon such departure as among the offences of 
 high grade, it is manifest that our prim- 
 itive friends at Falls and at Burlington, did 
 view this transgression as a matter of grave 
 importance, involving the deep, religious con- 
 cernment of their pious minds ; they, probably, 
 felt bound to be faithful in dealing with all 
 o-rades of transgression. The document from 
 Burlington, partly by way of Epistle, and 
 partly by way of current proceedings, is as 
 follows : 
 
34 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 " To our dear friends and brethren in the 
 montlily meeting for the County of Bucks, 
 in Pennsylvania : 
 
 " Dear friends, with hwe unfeigned in the 
 holy covenant of life, do we greet and tenderly 
 salute you, blessing Grod for the holy com- 
 munion and fellowship which he hath gra- 
 ciously brought his people into, and doth 
 defend and preserve them in, where being 
 kept, our gieatest care will be for the honor 
 of God, and the good of his people. Dear 
 friends, we are comforted concerning many of 
 you, being fully assured of your integrity and 
 service in the Lord, and are glad our lot has 
 fallen so near each other, and do desire that in 
 this service and work of Grod, which he is car- 
 rying on here as well as elsewhere, and will 
 make glorious in his time, we may be all 
 packed together, and knit in that holy bond, 
 which the strongest powers of dax"kness are 
 not able to break. 
 
 " Dear friends, as to the business ot^ — ■ 
 
 and his friend, we are informed that he has a 
 certificate come, and, therefore, our exercise as 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 35 
 
 to that is at an end ; yet, still, we are desirous, 
 according to our former intentions, to give you 
 a naked serious account. Wherefore, we have 
 laid such an injunction on all, of having certi- 
 ficates when their marriages were presented, 
 that came single and marriageable into this 
 country. We had many marriages that came 
 before us where little could be certified con- 
 cerning the persons, yet earnestly pressing the 
 accomplishment of the matter, which became 
 a great strait and exercise to honest friends on 
 whom God had laid the care of his honor. 
 Yet, for a time, in condescension did permit 
 such marriages, constantly expressing our- 
 selves not satisfied therewith, still desiring 
 that care might be taken for the future, that 
 things too doubtful and dangerous might not 
 be put upon us ; requesting th« care and help 
 of Friends in England to inform such as come 
 over, that they might bring certificates with 
 them ; giving notice through our respective 
 meetings that it was expected ; also, informing 
 all how they might be helped by the monthly 
 meeting here in their sending. Yet, notwith- 
 
36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 standing it was allowed, and the old practice 
 continued and grew amongst us, and the bur- 
 then of the upright grew with it, some alleging 
 that such and such were passed and why not 
 we. So, finding it of that dangerous conse- 
 quence, and that it strengthened the wrong, 
 and hurt the good, we can say, in the sight of 
 God and his people, a necessity was laid upon 
 us to do what we did, singly eyeing the glory 
 of God, and the advancement of His truth in 
 it. So, not doubting that we shall be felt, and 
 credited, and strengthened by you herein, we 
 subscribe ourselves by order, and on the be- 
 half of our men's monthly meeting, the 2d of 
 the fifth month, 1683, your friends and breth- 
 ren in the love and travails of the truth." 
 
 Samuel Jennings, 
 Thomas Budd. 
 
 This specimen of the mode of transacting the 
 affairs of the Church in the youthful days of 
 Falls Monthly Meeting, is with its accompani- 
 ments, a narrative not wholly uninteresting 
 in character : an erring brother, slighting the 
 counsel of his friends, and persisting in his 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 37 
 
 own will, brought much trouble and distress 
 upon himself, and also an abundance of labor 
 and solicitude to his friends, extending through ' 
 sevei'al months. All doubt as to his member- 
 ship was shortly after his marriage removed 
 by the arrival of a certificate from England. 
 His position and stumbling were treated by 
 his friends with firmness, but with much 
 forbearance, and long continued affectionate 
 care and labor, and he was finally brought to 
 an humble acknowledgment of his error, and 
 making suitable concessions by condemnation 
 thereof, was continued in membership. 
 
 This narrative discloses the carefulness and 
 fidelity of some of our predecessors, in the 
 cause of order and righteousness ; the friends 
 that stood as pillars in the Church in those 
 days, were evidently very watchful over the 
 purity and consistency of their own lives ; 
 and though they were friends of very tender 
 feelings, sympathizing with the afflicted and 
 relieving the destitute, yet were they zealous 
 and uncompromising in testimony against 
 
38 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 those who continued unyielding in innovation 
 upon their established precepts, and what 
 they believed to be their gospel order ; the 
 offences of transgressors were doubtless a 
 grief and a burthen to their Christian feelings, 
 but while a reasonable hope of restoration 
 remained, they labored diligently and af- 
 fectionately with offenders ; not cutting them 
 off from the fold where restoration could 
 be attained without a compromise of the 
 principles of their profession ; but in failure 
 of this, their testimony went forth against 
 them. And, as might be expected, the fruits 
 of the labors of these fathers in our Israel, 
 clothed with a Christian spirit, and jealous of 
 the honor of truth, were abundant and good. 
 Doubtless the weight and influence of their 
 spirits did, under the divine blessing, operate 
 as a hedge of preservation about the young, 
 and unbaptized, and unestablished, yet they 
 were not exempt from exercises occasionally 
 brought upon their pious minds, by the con- 
 duct of offending members ; but these were 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 39 
 
 generally reclaimed, and in the earlier years 
 of the existence of Falls Monthly Meeting, 
 but few were testitied against. 
 
 And, although the document from Bur- 
 lington gives evidence that there had been 
 some connivance at innovation, and the records 
 at Falls are interspersed with cases of de- 
 linquency ; have we in this our day made 
 great improvement upon the primitive con- 
 dition of our society in this country? Are we 
 more zealous for the promotion of good order, 
 our habits such as are more calculated to 
 wean us from the allurements of the world ; to 
 naake us more sensible of our dependence upon 
 Divine Providence for the blessings we en- 
 joy, and our hearts more grateful for these 
 blessings ? Are our worthies more deeply rooted 
 and grounded in the Christian faith ; more 
 deeply experienced in the work of vital relig- 
 ion ? Are our religious meetings more emi- 
 nently owned by Israel's Shepherd, and the 
 baj)tizing influence of His heavenly love and 
 power more sensibly felt ; and are our borders 
 enlarging at the present time? 
 
40 HISTORICAL SKETCHES - 
 
 The Book containing the records of the 
 ancient proceedings of Falls Monthly Meeting 
 of women Friends, has disappeared. The loss 
 of these memorials of primitive usefulness is 
 to be regretted ; for mothers in our Israel, as 
 well as fathers, were shining lights in those 
 days ; mothers endowed with heavenly wisdom 
 and clothed with the garment of righteous- 
 ness ; watchful of their principles against 
 innovation, and of their order against trans- 
 gression. The materials for compiling a 
 history of those worthy women Friends are 
 now scanty, but doubtless there were those 
 amongst them whose memorials are on high ; 
 and that there shall they be had in everlasting 
 remembrance, although the memory of their 
 pious lives may not be perpetuated here on 
 earth. A knowledge of the proceedings of their 
 monthly meeting in its infant state might 
 have been instructive in extimples of iidelity, 
 in the exercise of Christian order, and a more 
 extended history of their circumspect lives 
 might have been useful in directing the wan- 
 derer to the same rock on which they had 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 41 
 
 built, and in building thereon, found safety ; 
 yet, notwithstanding this loss of materials, 
 there is satisfaction in looking back to those 
 primitive times, those days of harmonious 
 labor for the welfare of the Church, when 
 honest simplicity and purity of purpose were 
 so conspicuous in the lives of its guardians, 
 shedding a preserving influence as a hedge 
 about its honor. It is pleasing to look back 
 and believe, that the burthen bearers on whom 
 the faithful support of Falls Monthly Meeting 
 of Friends early rested, were men and women 
 of " clean hands." 
 
42 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 GHAP. IV. 
 
 On the 29th of the seventh month, 1683, 
 Thomas Janney, an eminent and much be- 
 loved minister, arrived with his family from 
 England, and settled among his friends, not 
 far from the Falls of the Delaware, in Pennsyl- 
 vania, and became an active and useful mem- 
 ber of Falls Monthly Meeting, of which the 
 records give evidence ; and other accounts 
 show him to have been a faithful laborer in 
 word and doctrine. He was uncle to Phineas 
 Pemberton, and we doubt not but he and his 
 family met with a cordial reception from their 
 warm hearted friends, who had preceded them 
 in wilderness America ; the ties of consangui- 
 nity, friendship, and gospel fellowship, all 
 combined to render these migrators welcome ; 
 many of the partners in exile here met to- 
 gether, had nobly borne their testimonies in 
 the cause of truth and righteousness in their 
 native land, and had suffered for their faithful- 
 ness ; but persecution in measure drove them, 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 43 
 
 and civil and religious liberty wooed them 
 across the Atlantic wave ; and it may have 
 been the design of Infinite Goodness, not only 
 that this suffering people should find relief 
 from persecution by emigration, but also that 
 the standard of Christianity in its primitive 
 purity should be planted in a foreign land. 
 Many of the wise and good of that day and 
 generation concentrated here, and it is gratify- 
 ing to look back and observe that the worthies 
 who sustained Falls Monthly Meeting in its 
 infancy, were, eminently, men and women of 
 religious weight and influence ; and as a bro- 
 ther beloved and father in the Church was 
 Thomas Janney, concerning whom. Falls 
 Monthly Meeting issued the following testi- 
 mony after this dedicated servant of Christ 
 had finished his course, and, doubtless, was 
 gathered to his everlasting rest. " He settled 
 with us at his first coming into these parts, 
 ■laboring amongst us in word and doctrine 
 divers years. We loved and highly esteemed 
 him for his work's sake, being an able minister 
 of the gospel, sound in doctrine, endowed with 
 
44 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 wisdom and ready utterance, and favored with 
 openings into the mysteries of Grod's kingdom. 
 He was not forward to oifer his gift, having a 
 true regard to the giver, who said formerly 
 ' cast the net on the right side of the ship.' 
 Therefore, his ' bow abode in strength.' And, 
 although the Lord had furnished him with 
 such excellent qualifications, he had so learned 
 self denial as not to glory therein ; but was 
 ready to prefer his friends before himself, and 
 give them the right hand of fellowship ; being 
 careful to keep the testimony of truth clear on 
 all accounts, saying : ' Those that appear in 
 public are doubly bound so to do.' He was of 
 a cheerful and peaceable temper, and innocent 
 and blameless in life. As the Lord hath be- 
 stowed on him a gift in the ministry, beyond 
 many of his fellows, so he was careful to im- 
 prove it to his honor and the comfort of his peo- 
 ple, laboring therein, not only here in Pennsyl- 
 vania and New Jersey, but he also visited the 
 churches several times in New England, Rhode 
 Island, Long Island, and Maryland; and lastly 
 he went on that service to Old England, where 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 45 
 
 lie finished his course. And, although, our 
 loss of him is great, we are satisfied he hath 
 his portion among those that 'turn many to 
 righteousness, and shine as the stars forever 
 and ever.'" 
 
 Thomas Janney died in the year 1696, aged 
 sixty-three years. 
 
 In the year 1684, Rodger Longworth arrived 
 in Pennsylvania, and took up his abode among 
 his friends at or near Pennsbury. This emi- 
 nent minister of the gospel had spent much of 
 his life in religious service, travelling exten- 
 sively by sea and land, visiting various coun- 
 tries, and people of varied habits, professions 
 and languages. His services in the sacred 
 cause he had espoused, appears to have been 
 great. His zeal and sense of duty, under the 
 Divine blessing, enabled him to surmount 
 many difficulties and dangers ; and his resig- 
 nation to Divine disposal, doubtless, was fol- 
 lowed by qualification to endure privation and 
 suffering with Christian resignation and forti- 
 tude ; and, doubtless too, as he went forth 
 
46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 bearing precious seed, and, at times weeping, 
 he was permitted to return rejoicing, bringing 
 liis sheaves with him, having faithfully per- 
 formed the abundant service required at his 
 hands. He is mentioned by Joseph Besse, as 
 ^' one of the public Friends, who, when the 
 storm of persecution raged with great violence 
 in England, boldly preached the ti'uth, at the 
 hazard of all that was dear in this world," 
 and it is easy to comprehend that this digni- 
 fied and truly devoted servant of Christ, was 
 greeted by kindred spirits at Falls, with warm 
 feelings of friendship and heartfelt satisfac- 
 tion. Rodger Longworth, in his youthful days, 
 had been apprenticed to James Harrison, and, 
 undoubtedly, the fatherly care and counsel of 
 such a friend, was of lasting benefit to the 
 young candidate for immortality and eternal 
 life, who, heeding the voice of instruction, both 
 human and Divine, was constrained to improve 
 the talents committed to his trust, his day's 
 work keeping pace with the day, and thus he 
 became the comfortable companion and co- 
 laborer in the work of righteousness, with the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 47 
 
 Friends among whom his lot was eventually 
 cast. From the accomplishment of his last 
 religious service abroad, he returned to Falls 
 in the third month 1687, where his earthly 
 pilgrimage was, not long after, brought to a 
 peaceful close, aged about fifty-seven years. 
 
 Robert Bond was an interesting youth whom 
 his father had confided to the care and tuition 
 of James Harrison ; and it is reasonable to- 
 suppose that the superintending care of such 
 an experienced and loving friend, and his 
 pious precepts and instructive example, were 
 instrumental in producing a most salutary 
 influence upon the short, but virtuous life of 
 his dependent, but appreciative ward ; and, 
 also, that James, himself, felt richly rewarded 
 in his eiforts to train this young heir of the 
 kingdom of heaven, in the way he should go ; 
 for he never departed fromi it, though he lived 
 not until he was old. James and his young 
 friend were not separated by the removal to 
 America ; but the youth being of a delicate 
 constitution died in the seventh month, 1684, 
 about two years after his arrival in the colony, 
 
48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 aged about eighteen years. Phineas Pember- 
 ton has left this testimony concerning him : 
 " He was a sober, solid youth ; his deportment 
 grave ; having the fear of Grod before his eyes. 
 I loved him with a true love." 
 
 William Penn resided for a space of time 
 at Falls, in his mansion, which, with its near 
 appendages, he called Pennsbury. And al- 
 though he probably was never formally a 
 member of Falls Monthly Meeting, yet being- 
 surrounded by the members thereof, and 
 mingling with them in religious and social 
 intercourse, it might almost be said that he 
 -was, virtually, one of them ; and there can be 
 but little or no doubt of his leaving the im- 
 press of his judicious councils, his fatherly 
 care, his wise precepts, his pious labors and 
 his instructive example among them. He was 
 found amongst the early fruits of the preva- 
 lence of that Gospel light and power, which 
 prevailed so marvelously and efficaciously in 
 the dawn of that gospel day, when, after a 
 long night of apostacy, primitive Christianity 
 in its purity was revived in England. In the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 49 
 
 flower of youth ; possessed of natural abilities 
 of a superior grade ; descended from a popular 
 family, with the road to preferment before him ; 
 with a prospect of an ample inheritance of 
 property, and worldly titles and honors; he 
 turned aside from the allurements of the world, 
 and taking up the daily cross, became a de- 
 voted follower and servant of the Prince of 
 Peace. It was not disappointed ambition ; it 
 was not satiety of the world; it was not that 
 life had lost its charms ; sorrow and sickness 
 had not disappointed his pleasant pictures; 
 and age and infirmities had not warned him of 
 the approach of death. It was not this kind 
 of influence that operated on his youthful 
 mind and wrought this change ; for sacrifice, 
 he brought not a lame offering to the altar ; 
 but, yielding his heart to the regenerating 
 power of Divine Grace, and growing in grace 
 as he grew in years, attained the stature of 
 a strong man in spiritual and, in temporal 
 things; and, with subdued spirit, prostrated 
 at the sacred foot-stool, he was brought into a 
 willingness to resign gold and silver, houses 
 
50 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES 
 
 and lands, honor and preferment; to suffer 
 expulsion from his father's house, and to pass 
 the prime of his days within prison walls, 
 rather than turn away from Him who hath 
 the words of eternal life, and in whose name 
 he had set up his banners ; choosing rather to 
 suffer affliction with his suffering friends, than 
 to enjoy the doubtful pleasures of the world 
 for a season. It is reasonable to suppose that 
 it was not until after a powerful conviction 
 upon his own mind, and the subjection of his 
 natural will, that William Penn was brought 
 to embrace the tenets of the despised Quakers : 
 the allurements of the world on the one hand,, 
 were inviting him to partake of its deceptive 
 pleasures, while on the other, he saw that the 
 path of self-denial, and the way of the daily 
 cross, was the straight and narrow way that 
 led to everlasting life. This opposite state of 
 things, doubtless, caused many conflicting- 
 feelings in the mind of a youth, educated 
 and nurtured in the maxims and customs of 
 the world, scarce yet arrived at the age of 
 manhood, and with abundance to gratify his 
 
OP FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 51 
 
 natural will. There is a strong propensity in 
 the youthful mind to delay the accepted time, 
 the day of salvation, until a more convenient 
 season ; and in view of the magnitude of th-e 
 worldly sacrifice required at his hands, doubt- 
 less, such delay was presented in all its plausi- 
 bility to his exercised mind, accompanied with 
 its allurements and its snares ; but happily 
 these temptations did not receive much enter- 
 tainment in the purifying process operating in 
 his awakened soul, for he early chose that good 
 part which was never taken away from him ; 
 having put his hand to the plow he looked 
 not back ; and being faithful and diligent in 
 the performance of his allotted service, became 
 a father in our Israel, one of our society's 
 ablest defenders, and one of its brightest orna- 
 ments. He was an extraordinary man, viewed 
 as a minister of the Gospel ; as holding the 
 pen of a ready writer ; in the heat of contro- 
 versy ; by the fireside of his family ; as a law- 
 giver; in his private walks amongst men; as a 
 philanthropist ; as an administrator of civil 
 government; as possessed of fine qualities of 
 
52 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Iiead and heart ; and as a testimony bearer 
 against wrong. In all these aspects, and 
 abundance more, he seemed gifted by Provi- 
 dence for the advancement of both the eternal 
 and temporal welfare of his fellow man, and 
 he manifested much faithfulness in the occu- 
 pancy of those gifts. Some of his temptations, 
 doubtless, were peculiar, such as very few of our 
 Friends have ever experienced, as they sprung 
 from his unusually prominent worldly position 
 and connections. He suffered considerably 
 from breach of trust, ingratitude, and abuse, 
 yet, through all, was favored to possess an 
 humble mind, a purity of purpose, and a for- 
 giving spirit. Arid, although his declining 
 years were harrassed by political troubles, and 
 pecuniary embarrassments, and his intellect 
 was, at times, somewhat clouded by disease, 
 yet there is reason to believe that he never lost 
 the savor of immortal life ; his sun went down, 
 comparatively speaking', in brightness, and he 
 rests from his labors, and his works do follow 
 him. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 53 
 
 Of Naomi Whaley but little is now known, 
 except the following notice taken from the 
 records of Falls Monthly Meeting, dated the 
 1st day of the 5th month, 1685: "Naomi 
 Whaley hath this day presented to this meet- 
 ing, that she hath a mind to travel on Truth's 
 account to the northward. Therefore, this 
 meeting having weighed the matter, hath con- 
 descended that she may take her opportunity, 
 and ordered that Phineas Pemberton do draw 
 a certificate, and let it be signed by some 
 Friends on the meeting's behalf." 
 
54 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The following quotations from an account 
 written by a naember of the Pemberton family, 
 about the year 3814, describes some interesting 
 incidents ; that part which relates to the 
 peaceful termination of the lives of several of 
 the worthies who settled early at Falls, is 
 pai'ticularly interesting ; the prevalence of the 
 disease which swept many from the face of 
 the earth, doubtless produced a season of con- 
 flict and sore distress ; inasmuch as those who 
 retained their liealth were scarcely suiRcient 
 in number to administer the needful attentions 
 to the sick, but in this afflictive dispensation 
 they were not forgotten ; there is evidence 
 that a considerable number of those who were 
 removed by death, laid down their heads in 
 peace. 
 
 " In the latter end of the year 1685, Phineas 
 went to Philadelphia to attend the x\ssembly ; 
 and on the 6th of the third month, following, 
 be received a commission from Thomas Loyd, 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 55 
 
 to be Deputy Master of Rolls of Bucks County. 
 Having been engaged in erecting a more 
 comfortable habitation for his family, he fin- 
 ished the same early in the year 1687. On 
 the 16th of the 3d month, he records, " there 
 was a great land-flood, and on the 29th, a 
 ' rupture.' " It is probable that the river over- 
 flowed its banks to a great extent ; and on its 
 subsiding, it left a vast quantity of vegetable 
 matter, which being decomposed in the hot 
 sun, the miasma thence exhaled, together 
 with an unusual quantity of rain, became the 
 cause of much sickness in the neighborhood 
 near the river and Falls, and a number of the 
 settlers were removed by death. 
 
 "The first of these in Bucks County was 
 Ralph Pemberton, who died on 5th month, 
 17th, at the age of seventy-seven. He suddenly 
 sunk under the disease, having a high fever, 
 but remained sensible and cheerful to the last. 
 He was buried in a burying-ground, which 
 Phineas had laid out on his own land, not far 
 from his own house, and near tlie river Dela- 
 ware. It was ten rods square, and was designed 
 
56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 for the interment of the members of his family, 
 and also for those of his own religious society 
 in the neighborhood. 
 
 " Phineas himself, was also taken sick about 
 this time, nor did his wife and children escape, 
 but they all slowly recovered. Agnes Harrison, 
 who was an aged woman when she came with 
 them from England, was the next of the family 
 who was removed bv this disease. She de- 
 parted in peace on the 6th of the 6th month, 
 aged eighty-six years. On the next day, that 
 :good and eminent man, Rodger Longworth, 
 also laid down the body ; the fever was violent, 
 yet he boi'e his last illness with much meek- 
 ness and patience, and was preserved remark- 
 ably still and quiet during his sickness, which 
 continued about fourteen days ; he passed 
 away like a lamb, leaving behind him a sweet 
 remembrance of his virtues and gentleness, 
 his fidelity to his Great Master's cause, and his 
 zeal to promote righteousness on the earth ; 
 and was gathered into that rest prepared for 
 the people of G-od. 
 
 " Several other neighbors were removed by 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 57 
 
 death ; and James Harrison beina- also seized 
 with the prevailing disease, sunk under it, 
 and departed this life on the 6th of the 8th 
 month. He also was an example of patience 
 under suffering, even to the last, and died in a 
 state of calmness and Christian composure. 
 He was a strenuous advocate of civil and 
 religious liberty, having suffered much in his 
 native land in the cause of Truth, and his 
 character stood high for integrity and religious 
 usefulness. The commissions lie received from 
 the Governor, his friend William Penn, show 
 the confidence placed in his talents and 
 uprightness of conduct ; many letters from 
 the latter, giving minute directions concerning 
 the estate at Pennsbury, are yet preserved 
 among the papers of the family. 
 
 " The sickness by which these and many 
 others were removed, both in Bucks County 
 and in New Jersey, raged for a considerable 
 time, and was very mortal to aged persons 
 and children, and those of delicate constitu- 
 tions ; scarcely a family escaped, and sometimes 
 none were left well enough to attend the rest- 
 
58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Even in those who recovered, a great pros- 
 tration of strength remained for a long time. 
 The afflictions of these new settlers, in being 
 thns deprived of so many of their friends, can 
 be but faintly imagined by those who have 
 never experienced such mournful dispensations 
 of Providence. 
 
 ■' In the year 1690, Anne Harrison, the 
 mother of Pliebe Pemberton, departed this 
 life. She left the world with perfect compo- 
 sure and resignation. Takins,- a friend bv the 
 hand, while on her dying bed, she told him 
 she had always been sensible of his love, and 
 bade him farewell, concluding with these 
 expressions : ' I am satisfied of a resting- 
 place.' She also said to her daughter, who 
 sat weeping by 4aer : ' Be glad thereby,' and 
 told her to be rather glad than otherwise on 
 her account ; for, although it was a trial to 
 nature to part with a parent, yet to that parent 
 the change would be glorious. 
 
 " On the 3d of the 7th month, 1695, Lydia 
 Wharmby, who came fi'om England with the 
 family, and probably lived with them as 
 
OF FEIEXDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 59 
 
 housekeeper, died, and was buried in the 
 family cemetery before mentioned, ' at the 
 point.' In the next year, Phineas kist his 
 amiable wife, the tender companion of his 
 pilgrimage over the great deep, and the 
 faithful sharer of his joys and sorrows. This 
 loss was not without its attendant consolations, 
 in the remembrance of her piety and her 
 virtues. ' She departed,' as Phineas writes to 
 a friend, ' in the like innocent state she hath 
 all along lived. After she had declared her 
 peace with the Lord, and her satisfaction to 
 leave the world, and a testimony of her love 
 to me, she caused her children to be called 
 (capal>le to hear her), and exhorted them to 
 the fear of the Lord, and duty to me. and in 
 some particulars how to regulate their con- 
 versation ; and with a kiss took leave of the 
 lesser sort; and lastly, a few minutes before 
 her departure, she desired me to remember 
 her love to several of her friends ; being- 
 sensible to the last. Phebe deceased the 30th 
 of the 8th month, 1696, at the age of thirty- 
 six — just fourteen years after her arrival in 
 the Pautuxent River." 
 
60 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Phineas continued to give diligent attention 
 to his private affairs, and to the administration 
 of the many public trusts committed to his 
 care ; but in the latter part of the year 1701, 
 his health had materially declined, and on the 
 tirst day of the year 1702, he died, aged fifty- 
 two years. Samuel Carpenter, in a letter to 
 Governor Penn, after describing the preva- 
 lence of sickness in town and country, says : 
 "Phineas Pemberton died the 1st of 1st month 
 last, and will be greatly missed ; having left 
 few or none in these parts or the adjacent, like 
 him for wisdom and integrity, and a general 
 service : and he was a true friend to thee and 
 to the Government. It is mattter of sorrow 
 when I call to mind and consider, that the 
 Tbest of our men are taken away, and bow 
 many are gone, and how few to supply their 
 places." Phineas lost his mother before he 
 was six years of age, and such being the fact, 
 he owed but little of the correct formation of 
 his character to maternal instruction and influ- 
 ence ; what amount of care and protection he 
 received from paternal guardianship is not 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 61 
 
 now known, it may have been much ; but we 
 may reasonably suppose, that by the Divine 
 blessing upon his own honest efforts and faith- 
 fulness to manifested duty, much of the purity 
 of principle, stability of mind, and capiicity 
 for usefulness, was attained, for which, in after 
 life, he became conspicuous. His qualifications 
 rendered him a valuable pillar in both church 
 and state, his jjosition in both being important. 
 The value and usefulness of such a Friend in 
 those early colonial days, can scarcely be over- 
 estimated. 
 
 The before-quoted member of the Pemberton 
 family, further writes: " In the autumn of 1814, 
 one hundred and twelve years from the death 
 of this valuable man, (P. P.) I visited the 
 burial ground, ' to pay filial attention to its 
 decent preservation.' The sensations which 
 thrilled my soul, may well be imagined, as I 
 apiDroached the spot where my primogenitors, 
 had in former days, fixed their habitation. It 
 seemed as if the flame of inspiration were 
 kindled, and its ardour, for a time, wrapped 
 me from the world. 1 bent my s-teps toward 
 
62 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 the graves, where, many years ago, small slate 
 stones had been fixed at their heads, with 
 initials indicating the names of their inhabi- 
 tants, But time had crumbled several of 
 these. What a powerful example of the in- 
 stability of earthly memorials was here exhi- 
 bited ; and what a humiliating lesson did these 
 mounds pronounce ! I stood on the grave of 
 my venerated great great grandfathei', and 
 reflected that he who had so often wandered 
 over the fields near me, who had been guided 
 over the troubled ocean by a Divine hand, in 
 search of an asylum, was gone forever from 
 these scenes ; and his remains were reposing 
 beneath me. Evei'ything of him that was 
 human was confined to this narrow spot ; his 
 beloved wife lay at his side, and the remains of 
 many of his dear connections were deposited 
 around him. The affection of his descendants 
 had enclosed these by a wall, and here they 
 have ever since rested undisturbed. It seemed 
 as if I were holding communion with the dead; 
 and the objects around me impressing me with 
 awe, reminded me that the beings with whom 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 63 
 
 I was in company, did once exist on this earth, 
 and partook of the joys and sorrows of mor- 
 tality. They liad fuliUled tlie duties of their 
 stations, (as the written evidences of their 
 piety in my possession bear ample witness,) 
 and were, doubtless, gathered by their Lord 
 into that eternal rest which has been prepared 
 for his people. If they had not, little would it 
 avail them now, that for more than a century 
 their bones have rested in peace, and the 
 breath of neglect and desolation has not 
 swept over their graves ; that during their 
 lives the charms of friendship, and the varied 
 delights of social life were theirs ; and that 
 this favored spot of the- globe afforded them a 
 retreat from heavy persecutions. 
 
 " Yes, here under the wise policy and mild 
 government of the founder of Pennsylvania, 
 they found a settlement where they could meet 
 together and worship according to the dictates 
 of their own conscience, unmolested by lines, 
 imprisonments, and vexatious impositions : 
 and here, closing their days with gratitude to 
 Him who had graciously conducted them 
 
64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 through life, they slept in the bosom of their 
 Redeemer." 
 
 " What matters it, that the names of such 
 worthies are now remembered no more, or 
 called but transiently before the view of 
 tenderness, in the hour of converse, or the 
 moments of solemn communion. The world 
 busy with its present concerns, forgets or cares 
 not that these have ever lived ; yet, the state 
 of society at this day, may owe much of the 
 comforts and improvements ancf knowledge, 
 now enjoyed, to the labors and energies of 
 those who are thus unheeded and forgotten. 
 But their n'k.mes are written in the Book of 
 Life, and gloriously enrolled in the records of 
 eternity ; and when the memory of the proud 
 and self-exalted shall have passed away, these 
 shall be had in everlasting remembrance." 
 
 " On coming to the close of the life of Phineas 
 Pemberton, I pause a moment, to contemplate 
 the great simplicity and integrity of his cha- 
 racter. In following him through his various 
 early trials and sufferings for the testimony of 
 Truth ; his imprisonments and vexatious treat- 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 65- 
 
 ment from an ignorant and deluded popu- 
 lace ; his migration to this country ; the various 
 offices of great trust and importance which he 
 held ; we see him acting in one uniform man- 
 ner, dictated by a pure conscience, and con- 
 ducted by that exalted sense of correct feeling 
 which guided him in all his ways. A great 
 number of letters addressed to him, are left 
 among his papers, which evince the high 
 esteem in which he was held by his cotem- 
 poraries ; and the events of his life show the 
 peculiar favor of Providence towaMs him, 
 making him in many instances, as it were, a 
 conspicuous example of the blessings attend- 
 ant upon a course of righteousness and humble 
 devotion." 
 
66 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 CHAP. yi. 
 
 We cannot easily ascertain at this day, 
 the precise period when the first settlements 
 were made in the south-eastern part of Bucks 
 County. In the year 1672, in the progress of 
 a religious visit to America, George Fox, in 
 travelling through the wilderness friMii Shrews- 
 bui-y to Chester, passed along the borders of 
 the Delaware from the neighborhood of the 
 Falls, southward, but saw no white inhabitants. 
 He found two deserted log cabins on the site 
 of Burlington, in one of which he lodged. 
 These habitations, it is said, were erected by 
 sitme Dutchmen, who deserted them in fear of 
 the Indians. It is recorded that Lyonel Brit- 
 taiu was settled at Falls two or three years 
 pre\'ious to the second month, 1683, and it is 
 probable that his friends, William Biles, 
 William Darke and William Beaks, were set- 
 tlers at the same time. 
 
 West Jersey was purchased by Friends 
 about the year 1676 ; and in the year 1677, it 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 67 
 
 is stated by Phineas Pemberton, that " clivers 
 proprietors and adventurers came over to these 
 parts, and settled themselves and families." 
 It is probable that a large proportion of this 
 immigration were Friends, and that some of 
 them, at a little later period, found their way 
 to the Falls Country, and established them- 
 selves and families there. After members of 
 the Society of Friends became interested in 
 West Jersey, their increase in those parts was 
 rapid ; meetings were soon established ; first, 
 at Salem, and shortly after at Burlington, of 
 which monthly meeting Falls Friends were, 
 for a time, members. The primitive settlers 
 of these favored sections of our country, of 
 course, experienced the painful pressure of 
 pioneer life, but as time progressed, the wilder- 
 ness and heretofore uncultivated soil presented 
 quite a different aspect ; much of it becoming 
 as a fruitful field, which, figuratively speaking, 
 rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. Industry 
 and economy were generally rewarded with a 
 sufficiency to supply real wants, but where the 
 outward bread was lacking, the deficiency was 
 
68 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 often supplied from the abundance of others ; 
 and doubtless thanksgiving from grateful 
 hearts, ascended to the Father of mercies for 
 his blessings and favors, and prayers for a 
 continuance of his preserving care and regard. 
 Many of this people appear to have been ex- 
 tremely sensible of their dependence upon 
 Him in whom they lived, and moved, and had 
 their being ; and it is not marvelous that He 
 watched over them in life and in death. 
 
 And there were those who founded their 
 habitations in solitary places, but, unlike the 
 frightened Dutchmen, the Indians were no 
 terror to them ; they rejected the use of carnal 
 weapons, and trusted not in the arm of flesh 
 for protection, but being armed with the sword 
 of the spirit, the inflammable propensities of the 
 red man gave way before them, and the toma- 
 hawk became harmless in his hand ; and they 
 that were terrible to those of warlike princi- 
 ples, were the comfortable friends of the 
 Friends of peace. And here was presented a 
 beautiful picture of concord and harmony ; 
 something similar to the lying down of the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 69 
 
 Lion and the Lamb together, and there was 
 none to make afraid. 
 
 Phineas and Phebe Pemberton had nine 
 children, several of whom died young. Abigail 
 married Stephen Jenkins, and settled in Ab- 
 ington Township, then Philadelphia County. 
 She became serious and thoughtful, and some- 
 times acceptably spoke in religious meetings. 
 Priscilla married Isaac Waterman, and settled 
 near Holmesburg. Israel, before he attained 
 the age of manhood, removed to Philadelphia,, 
 and after serving apprenticeship with Samuel 
 Carpenter, became established there. It is re- 
 corded of him that his liberal and prudent 
 management " gained him the confidence and 
 respect of his fellow citizens, who placed him 
 in divers high and honorable offices ; among- 
 which may be noticed his being nineteen suc- 
 cessive years a member of the General Assem- 
 bly of Pennsylvania. Nor were his services 
 confined to secular affairs; he also became con- 
 spicuously useful in the religious concerns of 
 the society of which he was a member. His 
 house was the general resort of Friends who 
 
70 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 oame from Europe in the service of the Grospel, 
 and he entertained them with much hospitality 
 and liindness ; having an ample mansion, and 
 still more enlarged heart. It may, indeed, be 
 said of him, that he was conspicuousl)' eminent, 
 not only for his character and services in the 
 religious society of Friends, but also for his 
 ■extensi\-e hospitality, and the uprightness of 
 his conduct and dealings as a merchant." 
 Israel married Rachel Read, who has been 
 represented as " a woman of great piety, and 
 of an excellent character." Their children, 
 Israel, James and John, were all prominent. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1699, Phineas 
 Pemberton married Alice Hodgson, a young 
 woman who resided in Burlington, but whose 
 parents resided in Rhode Island. After living 
 in wedlock but little over two years, Alice be- 
 came a widow, and sometime afterwards mar- 
 ried William Bradford, a somewhat prominent 
 printer of those days. 
 
 Greorge Brown, and Mercy his wife, were 
 among the earliest settlers at Falls ; they had 
 emigrated from Leicester, England, in the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 71 
 
 year 1679, and commenced pioneer life when 
 what is now the State of Pennsylvania, wa& 
 almost an unbroken wilderness. It is recorded 
 of G. B. that he was administering the office 
 of " Justice of the Peace," as early as the year 
 1680. He possessed a valuable tract of land, 
 bordering on the Delaware River, extending 
 inland to the manor boundary line, and also 
 bordering upon the possessions of Phineas 
 Pemberton. G. B. was never a meniber of 
 the society of Friends, and there does not 
 appear to be any satisfactory evidence that 
 any of his children became members, except 
 his son Samuel, who came into the fold on 
 the ground of convincement, and afterwards 
 married Ann Clarke. Samuel became a prom- 
 inent member of Falls Monthly Meeting, 
 and likewise a member of the Provincial 
 Assembly ; his sons, George and John, were 
 also members of the Colonial Government ; 
 his daughter, Mercy, married Joshua Bald- 
 win, a Friend of Chester County ; her de- 
 scendants are numerous in that section of 
 the country and elsewhere. In the published 
 
HISTOKICAL SKETCHES 
 
 biography of one of G. B.'s descendants, who 
 was prominent in United States history, it is 
 stated that " George Brown was a man of 
 vigorous and cultivated intellect," that " his 
 children and grandchildren partook of his 
 character," and that " several of them were 
 for many successive years, prominent members 
 of the Provincial Government of Pennsylvania." 
 The family encountered a share of the hard- 
 ships and privations, such as usually fall to 
 the lot of early settlers ; but it does not appear 
 that there was any failure of courage, or any 
 serious lack of worldly prosperity. A portion 
 of their supplies were of course drawn from 
 the water ; but in their first experience of 
 wilderness life, their dependence was much 
 upon the wild game of the forest, obtained by 
 the skilful handling of the one gun in their 
 possession ; but the lock thereof became disa- 
 bled, and no means of seasonable repair was 
 accessible ; their wants were still pressing ; in 
 this emergency, they sought the deer, and the 
 wild turkeys in company, and while the husband 
 took deliberate aim at a well understood signal, 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 73 
 
 the wife applied the torch to the priming. As 
 the family circle widened, the possession of a 
 cow was thought to be an almost indispensable 
 necessity, but none was to be purchased short 
 of New Castle ; the cow was procured from 
 thenci, bat the undertaking was somewhat 
 formidable; the way was long, extending 
 through dense forests, along Indian paths, 
 across treticherous swamps, and over perplexing 
 water-courses. A dangerous overflow of the 
 Delaware warned them to abandon their then 
 occupied dwelling at the river bank, and locate 
 upon higher ground ; upon leaving their old 
 locality and removing to the new, they 
 transplanted their hominy block, which was 
 the scooped out stump of a tree. The farm, 
 which embraces the site of the original dwelling, 
 and also the family burial-ground, still continue 
 in possession of descendants of the family. It 
 does not appear that there was any annoyance 
 from Indian hostility, but an irritating question 
 arose respecting the boundary lines between 
 the adjacent lands of William Penn, and Gr. B. 
 There is no evidence, and it is not likely that 
 
74 HISTORICAL- SKETCHES 
 
 the principals of the parties concerned in the 
 controversy, manifested any pugnacious dispo- 
 sition, but it is asserted that their servants came 
 to blows, in defence of the supposed rights of 
 those for whom they were severally interested. 
 These servants were jjrobably slaves. 
 
 Friends of this day living in their cieled 
 houses, surrounded by the conveniences, and 
 many of the luxuries of life, perhaps can form 
 but an inadequate idea of the privations endured 
 by many of the primitive settlers ; even at the 
 present period of time, possessed of the advan- 
 tages of modern invention, and other aA^ailable 
 means, it would be reckoned as a very tedious, 
 laborious, and uncertain employment for a 
 family of settlers to locate themselves in the 
 woods, and depend upon their own unaided ex- 
 ertions for support; and if the means were 
 scanty, they could only look forward to a pre- 
 carious subsistence for a few of the first years, 
 as it would require considerable time, labor and 
 outlay, before the land could be brought under 
 successful cultivation. But in those days, the 
 poor emigrant penetrated the foi'est and laid 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 75 
 
 the foundation of his small and rude dwelling ; 
 the necessaries of life must be provided for him- 
 self and those dependent upon him, during the 
 building operation ; there are perhaps but few 
 that could lend a helping hand, and the work 
 progresses slow ; his family suffer from exposure 
 until the imperfect shelter is finished, which 
 perhaps, when completed, scarcely aifords pro- 
 tection from the bleak winds, the drifting snows, 
 and the drenching rains. The cabin being built, 
 and furnished with such accommodations as 
 correspond with the rustic surroundings, sup- 
 plies must be procured for the further susten- 
 ance of the family, which perhaps consists of a 
 wife, with a constitution shattered by disease 
 brought on by unavoidable fatigue and exposure, 
 and several helpless children dependent upon 
 their pai%nt's exertions for the sustenance of 
 life. Beset with perplexities, and almost dis- 
 paring of ability to supply his urgent wants' 
 his faith and trust at times being brought to a 
 severe test, he feels the gravity of his situation, 
 and perhaps asking for a renewed blessing upon 
 his painful, but willing labors, presses energeti- 
 
76 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 cally onward. The clearing and preparation 
 for the crop is a very gradual work, and the 
 needs of his family have not abated. The seed 
 is at length committed to the bosom of the 
 earth, and in due time the first harvest is gath- 
 ered in ; but the quantity sown being small, 
 the harvest is scanty also. Many families 
 suffered extremely before they became natu- 
 ralized to the climate, and many of the earlier 
 settlers succumbed to the severe ordeal through 
 which they were passing. But there is much 
 evidence and ground for believing that many 
 of these were through Divine favor, enabled to 
 endure their privations and suiferings with an 
 extraordinary degTee of Christian fortitude ; and 
 although their bodies often languished with 
 disease, and sometimes for the want of outward 
 bread, yet many of them evidently were often 
 supplied abundantly with the bread of life, 
 strengthened with might by the spirit in the 
 inner man, enabled to look forward in hope^ 
 reckoning that their many afflictions which 
 might be for a limited season perhaps, would 
 be followed by the dawn of a brighter day in 
 
OF FEIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY, 77 
 
 temporal things, or be permitted to work out 
 for them a far more exceeding and eternal 
 weight of glory. And although their accom- 
 TQodations were rude, their supplies scanty, 
 their neighborhood frequented by numerous 
 warlike tribes, and wild beasts of prey prowled 
 around their insecure dwellings, yet feeling 
 their dependence upon Divine Providence for 
 protection and preservation, and seeking 
 heavenly aid with purity of heart, the Divine 
 blessing was not withheld. Manythat sickened 
 departed hence from the earthly tabernacle, 
 with the glorious assurance of a happy immor- 
 tality ; and many that recovered were doubtless 
 strengthened to take courage, and go on their 
 way with humble thanksgiving and with grate- 
 ful hearts. 
 
 Relief was sometimes experienced in seasons 
 of great scarcity by the sudden appearance of 
 wild pigeons in the neighborhood ; and by the 
 Indians bringing in provisions, which they 
 sometimes did in perfect charity, refusing any 
 compensation. 
 
78 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 The spinning wheel, and the hand loom were 
 early brought into requisition, and the principal 
 part of the clothing worn at that distant period 
 was of home-made manufacture. Wheat, if 
 not the principal medium of exchange, entered 
 largely into the circulation of value in those 
 days. • 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 79 
 
 CHAP. vir. 
 
 Many offices of public trust were from time 
 to time bestowed upon Phineas Pemberton. In 
 the year 1683, he was appointed by Christojoher 
 Taylor, to be his deput}' . Register for Bucks 
 County ; the duties of the office were to write 
 and register all contracts and certificates of 
 marriage, to register births and burials, and 
 the names of all servants that were in, or should 
 come into said county — the time of service, pay- 
 ment, nnd freedom. In the same year he was 
 appointed by William Penn to be clerk of the 
 court. In the year 1684 he was appointed by 
 C. Taylor, Register of Wills in Bucks County. 
 In the year 1 686 he received a commission from 
 Thomas Lloyd, to be deputy master of the Rolls 
 in Bucks County. In 1689, by William Mark- 
 ham and John Goodson, Receiver of Quit Rents 
 in Bucks County. In 1691, by Thomas Lloyd, 
 Register General of Bucks County. In 1696, 
 was Master of the Rolls in Bucks County. In 
 1701, by William Penn, one of the Council of 
 State. 
 
80 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 In the year 1684, James Harrison accepted 
 the office of steward from William Penn, which 
 granted him the oversight of thfc Establismeiit 
 at Pennsbury, and thither be and his wife went 
 to reside, continuing their abode there, and the 
 administration of the accepted trust, during the 
 life of James. The selection doubtless was a 
 wise one, and we cannot but suppose that the 
 duties of the position were discharged with 
 fidelit3^ The superintendence and requisitions 
 of the office embraced the oversio'ht of "the 
 servants, building, &c.; and what relates to the 
 place, to receive and pay, take and put away 
 every servant ; to receive all strangers, and to 
 place them as to lodgings. " The duties of his 
 wife were " to overlook the maids in the dairy, 
 kitchen and chambers ; with the charge of 
 linen and plate ; and to have the maids account- 
 able for inferior matters to her. " For this 
 service the Proprietor proposed allowing tliem, 
 " a couple of chambers, and a horse ; and be- 
 sides meat, drink and lodging, forty pounds 
 for the first year, and fifty ever after ; " which 
 W. P. says, " I conceive will be a clear sub- 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 81 
 
 sistence. I have truth and virtue in my eye 
 for my family. Pray let me know your 
 answer as soon as you can." Having ac'ce})ted 
 the proposal, the commission was issued on the 
 15th day of the 6th month. 
 
 A Post Office was early established in Penn- 
 sylvania, and arrangements made for the 
 regular transportation of letters and passen- 
 gers to and from the Falls, and otlier places. 
 The following is a notice thereof. " In the oth 
 month 1683, William Penn issued an order 
 for the establishment of a Post Office, and 
 granted to Henry Walby of Taconey, authority 
 to hold one. am.l to supply jiassengers with 
 horses from Philadelphia to New Castle, or to 
 the Falls. The rates of postage of letters, were 
 from the Falls to Philadelphia, three pence ; 
 to Chester, five pence ; to New Castle, seven 
 pence ; and to Maryland, nine })ence." 
 
 The first presentation of intentions of mar- 
 riage, that finally passed Falls Monthly Meet- 
 ing, occurred at a session held at the house of 
 William Biles on the 6th of the 12th month 
 1683. The following account thereof is tran- 
 
82 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 scribed as a specimen of the proceedings in 
 such cases, in those days, and also as bringing 
 into view some of the prominent members. 
 "Richard Hough and Margery Clowes, this 
 day presented their intentions, to take each 
 other in marriage, being the first of their 
 presentation ; therefore this meeting doth order 
 William Yardley and Thomas Janney to 
 make inquiry concerning- their clearness from 
 all other persons relating to marriage." The 
 following minute was adopted at the succeed- 
 ing Monthly Meeting held on the 5th day of 
 the 1st month 1684. Richard Hough and 
 Margery Clowes have again appeared in the 
 meeting, and do desire the meeting's consent 
 to take each other in marriage ; and Friends 
 ordered to make inquiry do say, they find 
 nothing but they are clear, both ; therefore, the 
 meeting doth leave them to their liberty to 
 proceed in marriage, and doth order Thomas 
 Janney, and William Yardley to see the same 
 orderly done and performed." Among the 
 minutes of the next Monthly Meeting the fol- 
 lowing occurs, which terminates the proceeding. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 83 
 
 " William Yardley liath given the meeting an 
 account that the Marriage of Richard Hough 
 and Margery Clowes was orderly performed, 
 and hath brought the Certificate of Marriage 
 to be recorded." 
 
 Among the minutes of Falls Monthly 
 Meeting, held at the house of Richard Hough, 
 on the 4th day of the 3d month 1687, appears 
 the following. " It is the unanimous judg- 
 ment of this meeting, to sell rum to the 
 Indians directly, or indirectly, or sell rum to 
 any person ; that the so selling it, so to be 
 disj)osed of [is wrong] because we know and 
 are satisfied they know not, viz., the Indians, 
 how to use it in moderation, but most com- 
 monl}^ to the abuse of themselves and others." 
 This early testimony in support of temperance 
 was commendable to the meeting which issued 
 it. 
 
 One member was dealt with for speaking 
 " unsavoiy words." Another who had com- 
 mitted some indiscretion in court, was required 
 to publish his condemnation in the court, and 
 in the meeting. 
 
84 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Benevolence appears to have been a 
 f)rominent featui'e in the character of the 
 primitive settlers at Falls ; the records of the 
 Monthly Meeting give early evidence of this. 
 The following minute describes a portion of the 
 business of their third Monthly Meeting, held 
 the 4th day of the 5th month 1683. "William 
 Biles hath this day acquainted the meeting 
 
 that of Neshaminy, hath made him 
 
 acquainted that he is in want as to his outward 
 concerns, and he and some. others hath took 
 his condition into their consideration, and 
 have bought him a cow and calf, the price is 
 £5, and do desire this meeting's assistance 
 towards tlie payment of said cow and calf, to 
 which this meeting doth consent." The re- 
 mainder of the minute provides for the pay- 
 ment of the said sum,- which at a subsequent 
 meeting was reported paid. This minute is 
 also evidence that the settlements of Friends 
 had extended to Neshaminy at that date. 
 
 In the year 1684, Friends of Neshaminy 
 were organized into a separate Monthly Meet- 
 ing, by direction of the Yearly Meeting; and 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 85 
 
 in the same year Bucks Quarterly Meeting 
 was established, the two Monthly Meetings 
 being represented therein. After Friends of 
 Neshaminy became divided oif from Falls, 
 there yet remained three branches. One 
 Meeting for worship was held above the 
 Falls of Delaware, one below the Falls, and 
 one at the middle lots, now Fallsington ; 
 at which place, in the year 1690, the first 
 Friends' Meeting House in Bucks County 
 was erected. About the same time it was 
 concluded to hold meetings for worship on 
 fest day, in the New Meeting House, for 
 the members of the three meetings collect- 
 - ively ; and it is probable that those separate 
 meetings were not long afterwards discon- 
 tinued altogether. Burial Grround was pro- 
 vided at each of the localities. That above 
 the Falls was deeded to Friends by Thomas 
 Janney, for a nominal consideration, in the 
 year 1690. It has been represented as 
 located at Slate Hill, upon the King's Road, 
 leading to the uppermost plantations on the 
 
86 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Delaware Kiver. There were afterwards ad- 
 ditions made to it, and it is now known by 
 the name of " The Stone Graveyard." 
 
 The earliest known title conveying pro- 
 perty to Falls Monthly Meeting, bears date 
 the fourth day of the 4th month, 1690. At 
 that period a deed was granted by Samuel 
 Burges, for six acres of land, then supposed 
 to be the six acres now occupied by Friends 
 Meeting Houses and other improvements at 
 Fallsington ; but by some unaccountable mis- 
 take, the bearings and distances recorded in 
 the Deed, embraced a plot of ground en- 
 tirely beyond the eastern boundary of the 
 intended gift. This oversight was a source 
 of considerable annoyance for years, and it 
 was not until the year 1724, that Daniel 
 Burges, who had inherited his father's real 
 estate, conveyed the originally intended six 
 acres, by Deed, to trustees appointed by Falls 
 Monthly Meeting, subject to a yearly quit 
 rent of one grain of Indian corn, to be paid 
 to the said heirs and assigns, if the same by 
 them be lawfully demanded. This appended 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 87 
 
 condition was probably designed to meet 
 sonae technicality of law. In a Declaration 
 of Trust executed for these premises in the 
 year 1706, the Trustees certify that they 
 held the property " To the uses and intents 
 hereinafter mentioned and declared, and 
 under considerations, provisions, and restric- 
 tions, hereinafter limited and expressed, and 
 for no other use, intent, or purpose what- 
 soever ; thai, is to say, for the benefit, use, 
 and behoof of the poor people of said 
 Quakers, belonging to the said Meeting, for- 
 ever, and for a place or places to erect and 
 continue a meeting house or meeting houses, 
 and for places to bury their dead." This 
 language, or something like it, was inserted 
 in the Declarations- of Trust until the year 
 1828. The meeting house built on the said 
 six acre lot in the year 1841, is the fifth 
 Friends' Meeting House erected on the 
 premises. 
 
 Falls Monthly Meeting extended its care 
 and control over the Burying Ground for 
 Friends at the Middle Lots, now the Old 
 
88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Graveyard at Fallsington, about the year 
 1691 ; but it is apparent that this burying 
 place existed previous to that date. And as 
 in the process of time the meetings held at 
 Fallsington became the general resort of 
 Friends that formerly constituted the three 
 aforesaid meetings, it is probable that the 
 Graveyard at thtit place became generally 
 preferred, and consequently has been filled 
 up to much greater extent than either of 
 the others. 
 
 Extract fi'om Phineas Pemberton's will : 
 " I also give to our Monthly Meeting, Twenty 
 Pounds towards the advancing and main- 
 taining a free school, when more gifts are 
 added, (considerable,) for the carrying on of 
 the said work." 
 
 A mill of ancient origin, and perhaps one 
 of the first in the State of Pennsylvania, was 
 erected by the side of a large rock, lying at 
 the western skirts of what is now the village 
 of Fallsington ; it probably belonged to Ran- 
 dal Blackshaw. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 89 
 
 Tradition represents tliat the first man 
 hanged in tlie State of Pennsylvania, was 
 executed in Penn's Manor, near Tyburn ; after 
 judicial process by judge and jury. The 
 position which Friends occupied in relation 
 thereto, is not now certainly known ; the 
 records of the Court proceedings of Bucks 
 County having been destroyed by British 
 soldiers at tiie time of the Revolutionary 
 War. 
 
 John Rowland and Thomas Rowland, apt- 
 pear to have been early immigrants, and 
 active supporters of the infant Monthly 
 Meeting ; they possessed a large tract of 
 land in the Colony. There is a stretch of 
 low land extending southward from the village 
 of Tyburn, which yet bears the name of 
 Rowland Swamp. Edmund Lovett settled 
 early on the banks of the Delaware, but 
 afterwards removed inland, and the meeting 
 at Middle Lots was for a time held at his 
 house. Joshua Hoopes and Thomas Fitz- 
 water appear to have been of early^ promi- 
 nence, and doubtless there were other valuable 
 
90 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Friends at that period whose names are now 
 but little known. 
 
 The first testimony inserted in the old Book 
 of Memorials, published by direction of Phila- 
 delphia Yearly Meeting in the year 1787, is 
 thus introduced. " An abstract of Nicholas 
 Wain's Testimony concerning that faithful 
 servant of the Lord, Cuthbert Hayhurst, who 
 departed this life at his own Jiouse in the 
 County of Bucks, in Pennsylvania, about the 
 5th of the first month, 1682-3, near the fiftieth 
 year of his age. " There can be but little 
 doubt but what this valiant in our Israel 
 resided among his fi-iends at Falls, as there 
 had been but little enlargement of their borders 
 at that period. But as his decease occurred a 
 few weeks previous to Falls Monthly Meeting, 
 his name does not appear upon its records, and 
 the exact place of his residence is uncertain. 
 
 Another testimony in the old Book of 
 Memorials is thus brought into notice, "John 
 Hayton's testimony concerning Thomas Lang- 
 horne, who died at his own habitation in Bucks 
 County, Pennsylvania, the 6th of the eighth 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 91 
 
 month 1687." There is also uncertainty respect- 
 ing the residence of this interesting minister, but 
 it is quite likely that he died at JNTeshaminy, 
 and probable that his dwelling was at the 
 locality which is now called Langhorne's Hill. 
 In compiling this brief account relating 
 chiefly to the early settlement of Friends at 
 Falls, it is not designed to trace the personal 
 history of the many worthies who located there 
 at a later date, but simply to gather up a few 
 kindred fragments of general history, extending 
 down to a much later period of time. 
 
92 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Doctor . Watson, whose memory extended 
 back as far as 1750, and who doubtless had 
 personal acquaintance with some of the aged 
 who had been early settlers at Buckingham, 
 states that the tirst adventurers were chiefly 
 from the Falls Meeting, but afterwards named 
 a number of later arrivals from other points. 
 He also, in harmony with other informa- 
 tion, bears several testimonies to the zeal 
 and diligence of many of those primitive 
 worthies, in attending their distant religious 
 meetings for worship, and discipline at Falls. 
 The Quarterly Meeting allowed Buckingham 
 Friends a meeting for worship, in the year 
 1700, which relieved them fi'om much wear- 
 isome traveling ; but their meeting continued 
 a branch of Falls Monthly Meeting for ten 
 years longer, during which time their zeal 
 did not abate, but they are represented as 
 continuing diligent in attending their meet- 
 ings for discipline, until their connection 
 with Wrightstown Friends in a Monthly 
 
OF ERIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 93 
 
 Meeting capacity was consummated in 1710. 
 These items of history exhibit a pleasing and 
 instructive featu.re in the cliaracter of some 
 of our primitive Friends in the pursuit of 
 things relating to their everlasting welfare. 
 Prior to the year 1700, there was no meeting 
 for worship located at Buckingham, and 
 Friends in that vicinity were members of 
 Falls Particular Meeting, which was held at 
 the distance of near twenty miles from the 
 residences of some of them. And when we 
 take into consideration the wilderness state 
 of the country in those days, the very 
 imperfect roads, the difficulty anel tediousness 
 of traveling, that the best mode of conveyance 
 for men, and women also, was on horseback,, 
 and that even this accommodation was beyond 
 the reach of some ; the time that elapsed 
 before Friends leaving their dwelling-s, could 
 attend their meetings, and return from thence ; 
 the frequent occurrence of those meetings ; 
 the necessity of diligence and frugality in 
 order to obtain a livelihood ; the exposed 
 situation of travelers without the conveniences. 
 
94 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 of modern invention, to shield them from the 
 inclemencies of the weather ; and the fatigue 
 of body to be endm'ed in those journeys ; — 
 when we take into consideration a situation 
 such as is here represented, it is manifest 
 that the carrying out of the privilege of 
 attending their religious meetings was attained 
 at the cost of very considerable sacrifice. 
 The assembling of ourselves together for the 
 solemn purpose of Divine worship, has always 
 been held by our society as an imperative obli- 
 gation for our observance, when circumstances 
 do not render it impracticable ; and it is 
 evident that the pioneers of our society at 
 Buckingham were not less sensible of this 
 obligation in their day, than we are sensible 
 of it in this our day. Inconveniences and 
 difficulties stood in their way, such as have 
 not been experienced in modern times ; yet 
 when the sense of indispensable duty was 
 manifest before them, these inconveniences 
 and difficulties were cheerfully encountered, 
 and doubtless the pious pilgrimage was 
 generally accomplished with devotion of spirit 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 95 
 
 and crowned with peace of mind. Nor need 
 we marvel at the zeal of those worthies in 
 this respect, when we reflect that most 
 likely some of them were of the number, but 
 if not of the number, were kindred in spirit 
 with them, who stemmed the torrent of 
 persecution in England ; who having been 
 hauled from their religious meetings to 
 prison, suffered the penalty of the law for 
 months and being liberated, sought the first 
 opportunity, publicly, to assemble with their 
 friends for the cherished jDui'pose of Divine 
 worship ; thus manifesting their allegiance to 
 the King of kings, although they knew that 
 the laws of the King of England would bear 
 heavier upon them for every additional 
 offence. It is however manifest that the 
 attendance of their religious meetings was 
 dear to them, an enjoyment they were not 
 willing to forego, a duty to their Diyine Master 
 which they looked upon as indispensable, and 
 they were willing to bear testimony to that 
 duty, even at the expense of convenience, of 
 property, of liberty and of life. It therefore 
 
96 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 need not astonish us that many of our 
 Buckingham Friends were faithful in tlie 
 attendance of their religious meetings, although 
 located twenty miles from some of their 
 dwellings ; and it appears that soma of these 
 devoted ones attended on foot; nor was this 
 number confined to the male sex, but females 
 were seen wending their way along solitary 
 Indian paths, on horseback and on foot, some 
 of them carrying their young children in their 
 arms, crossing obstructive water-courses, pass- 
 ing through forests haunted by wild beasts, and 
 by the proximity of such tribes as were a 
 terror to the white man of other colonies ; 
 occasionally discomforted by summer's heat, 
 and winter's frosts, and sometimes confronted 
 by swollen streams or drifting snows. Tlfeir 
 outward lot was evidently a hard one, but 
 being in the way of their religious clut}^, and 
 animated by holy zeal and fervency of spirit, 
 they doubtless were enabled to go on their 
 way rejoicing. The faithful are sometimes 
 permitted to rejoice in tribulation; and having 
 sown in tears, have reaped in joy. These 
 
or FKIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 97 
 
 trusting ones were preserved from outward 
 dangers, nor can we doubt that a large amount 
 of preservation from spiritual enemies was 
 ■experienced also ; nor need we marvel that 
 the Church prospered in those days. Were 
 we now to travel back in retrospect to the 
 ■early days of our society, and take a glance 
 at the condition of our suflfering Friends in 
 England, it might not be surprising to us 
 that the prevalence of severe persecution, 
 growing out of oppressive government policy, 
 and striking at the root of civil and religious 
 liberty, did loosen the attachment . of some 
 of them to their native land, and present 
 the Province of Pennsyhania to their view 
 as an attractive asylum for the persecuted 
 and oppressed. These persecuted ones suf- 
 fered for ria:hteousness sake, and rather than 
 turn aside from the path of manifested duty, 
 were willing to suffer, and yet could thej^ be 
 relieved from the yoke of cruel opjoression 
 by removal to a distant land, some of them 
 were willing to choose it rather. JN'umbers 
 of these faithful ones sought our shores, and 
 
98 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 laid the foundations of their dwellings in the 
 wilds of America, carrying with them that 
 purity of principle and integrity of heart 
 whi(;li they could not exercise unmolested in 
 their native land. 
 
 The condition of the burial ground at the 
 Point, or Gro\'e Place, the ten rods square 
 which Phineas Peml)ert(.)n set apart for the 
 accommodation of his famil}^ and friends, is 
 calculated to awaken a A'ariety of feeling. 
 That portion which contains the renuiins of 
 the Pembertons and some of their particular 
 friends, is enclosed by a suitable stone wall, 
 without any gateway therein. It was thus 
 enclosed by direction of John Pemberton, a 
 beloved minister, (a short time previous to 
 his last religious visit to Europe ; a visit 
 from which he never returned, but died at 
 Pyrmont, in Prussia,) in affectionate remem- 
 brance of departed relatives and friends, that 
 their graA^es might not be laid waste ; and for 
 the purpose of preserving the enclosed plot 
 in decent order, he left a small annuity, 
 secured by will, upoii a farm in the neigh- 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 99 
 
 borhood, and Falls Monthly Meeting accepted 
 the guardianshij) thereof, and has long con- 
 tinued to administer the trust. This annuity 
 of latter time has not been paid ; nevertheless 
 the Meeting continues to extend care over 
 the premises. A few years since, some 
 Friends planted four silver pine trees within 
 the enclosure, chiefly in view of checking the 
 undergrowth. These trees have now grown 
 to attractive proportions. An adjoining stone 
 wall, erected several years since, encloses 
 another portion of the general repository of 
 the dead. The plot thus enclosed is of small 
 extent, and perhaps w;is designed as a family 
 burial place. The aspect of the remaining 
 portion of the ten rods square has considerablj'" 
 changed of latter times; the hand of man has 
 removed the grave stones ; the plow has leveled 
 the graves; and crops ha\"c been gathered from 
 the soil beneath which repose the remains of 
 many of our fellow uKjrtals. A Friend who 
 visited the locality a few years since writes: "I 
 stood upon the grave-yard wall, and mused on 
 the scene around me. In the enclosure on my 
 
100 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 right hand were the graves of the worthy Pem- 
 bertons, and Harrisons, of Roger Longworth, 
 and of other worthies; hut John Pemberton 
 left no provision for repairs of the wall which 
 surrounds them; the cover is already much 
 out of order, portions of the wall itself are be- 
 coming somewhat defective, and time's wasting 
 hand may crumble it to the earth; and as 
 several of the latter deeds for the surrounding- 
 farm make no reserve for these premises, I 
 thought it would not be improbable that the 
 day would come, when the hand of avarice 
 would remove the fragments of the decayed 
 wall, the plowshare invade the covering of the 
 dead, and naught remain to mark this interest- 
 ing spot. On my left hand lay the other in- 
 closure; it contained the remains of at least 
 one Friend, \Vho was rich in the abundance of 
 this world's goods, but the pale messenger 
 would not be denied ; he and his poorer neigh- 
 bors of this village of the dead, have with like 
 accountability, all passed to their final account; 
 while their bodies lie side by side in this their 
 mother earth. Before me lie the obliterated 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. lOi 
 
 graves of many of my fellow mortals, doubtless 
 among tliem many worthy Friends ; a small 
 mound of earth to mark the spot of their inter- 
 ment has been denied them ; a little roughness 
 in the surface of the soil is yet discernible, but 
 it is now a portion of the cultivated field. This 
 aspect of affairs may be harassing to loving kin- 
 dred and friends, but the imperishable part is 
 far beyond the reach of man. I am no advocate 
 for garnishing the sepulchres of the dead, and 
 it is true that our care and concern for the poor 
 body, cannot affect the disunited soul ; yet, there 
 is something congenial with our better feelings, 
 in decent interment, and decent preservation 
 of the grave. And without cherishing a su- 
 perstitious veneration for these premises, it 
 may be profitable to the heart to contemplate 
 the scene presented here ; with feelings mingled 
 with earth and heaven, we may here contem- 
 plate the mortality of man, and the end of 
 liuman existence, and perhaps be reminded 
 that we ourselves are tottering over the grave ; 
 we may here contemplate the frailty of human 
 memorials, and the value and endurance of 
 
102 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES 
 
 those that are on high. Here, too, the piety and 
 virtues of departed worth, and names written 
 in the book of life, and of names bk)tted out, 
 may forcibly be brought to the view of our re- 
 membrance, and by the divine blessing arouse 
 us from a state of indifference, break up our 
 false rest, and stimulate us to renewed wrest- 
 lings for a crown of righteousness. It is said 
 to be profitable to go to the house of mourning, 
 and this place of interment has ofttimes been 
 witness of effusions of grief; the feelings of 
 natural affections have found vent here, as sor- 
 rowing friends liaA^e gathered around these 
 graves, and beheld the mortal remains of those 
 they loved finally deposited in the earth — some 
 have sorrowed, but we trust not as they who 
 have no hope; to some death had no sting, 
 and the grave no victory, and the close of the 
 e\'ening of life, was doubtless succeeded by the 
 dawn of an everlasting day. " 
 
 Asa confirmation of the utility of occasional 
 visits to the resting places of the remains of 
 the worthy dead, it may not be out of place to 
 insert a descriptive account of a pilgrimage 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 103 
 
 made by the pious Doctor Fothergill and his 
 benevolent sister, of a somewhat corresponding 
 character; "to drop the grateful tribute of a 
 tear, at the side of an honored parent's grave ; 
 to see that his sepulchre was not laid waste, 
 but secured from the ravages of neglect, was to 
 us a pleasing duty. Firmly persuaded that 
 we had not the least cause to mourn on his 
 account, and nothing left more becoming to us, 
 than to call to mind his precepts and examples, 
 we left the solitary spot with hearts full of rev- 
 erent thankfulness that such was our father, 
 and that w^e were so far favored, as to be able 
 to'remember him with gratitude and affection." 
 The Pemberton grave-yard, lies near the 
 ]ooint, where what is now called Biles Creek or 
 Glen Arnv after skirting an island, re-enters the 
 Delaware. Nearly all the earliest settlers at 
 the Falls, located themselves on land lying 
 within the great bend of the river, in what is 
 now called Penn's Manor. The originators 
 of Fall's Monthly Meeting were, perhaps, 
 with one exception, residents of this locality. 
 In looking back, to the history of this early 
 
104 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 favored section of our land, the mind is clotlied 
 with a degree of sadness wliile contemplating 
 its present position and aspect ; there are now 
 none residing within its limits whom we ac- 
 knowledge as members of our religious society. 
 We cannot confer grace upon our children, 
 nor can religious bodies confer grace upon their 
 successors ; there are now but few prominent 
 supporters of -the primitive faith among the 
 descendants of our most gifted and best early 
 members — and numerous religious bodies, both 
 in ancient and modern times, lost their primi- 
 tive brightness and tended to decay and an- 
 nihilation : the case although disappointing is 
 not singular, there being numerous precedents. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 105 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The members of Buck's Quarterly Meeting, 
 many of whom had experienced a long season 
 of sore privation, anxiety and distress, incident 
 to pioneer life, at length emerged from the in- 
 teresting past, and were permitted to behold 
 the breaking of a brighter day, at least in tem- 
 poral things. Slavery, which had taken root 
 in the economy of some of the early settlers, 
 had become more and more discountenanced 
 by the wise and good, and many of our worthies 
 became zealous for its extino'uishment. It is 
 manifest from reliable historic information, 
 that much rum was made use of in primitive 
 times, and also a very considerable amount 
 of tobacco. These articles of doubtful utility 
 were granted indulgence, for the alleged pur- 
 pose of warding off infection. The apology 
 was entertained in reference to the liberal use 
 of spirituous liquors, that many of the settlers 
 in substituting the drinking water of this 
 country for that of England, thought their 
 
106 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 bodily condition unfavorably aifected, especial- 
 ly so when satisfying the excess of thirst 
 created by our sometimes hot climate ; under 
 these circumstances rum was somewhat exten- 
 sively supposed to be a benefit, and also in 
 cases of exj)osure to wet weather and pinching 
 cold. The eifects of the free use of spirituous, 
 liquors at a somewhat later period, appeared 
 to be growing to alarming proportions, and 
 many Friends, becoming convinced of the 
 gravity of the situation, interposed their influ- 
 ence and authority for the abatement of the 
 evil. How far members of Bucks Quarterly 
 Meeting participated in the irregularities and 
 inconsistencies of those distant colonial days, 
 does not now minutely appear ; it is, how- 
 ever manifest that the primitive settlers were 
 chiefly Friends ; but doubtless a concern pre- 
 vailed among our worthies of that period to dO' 
 away with what they saw to be surely wrong ; 
 it would be characteristic of them ; and it is. 
 not likely that any of their members departed 
 far from the path of rectitude before they were 
 dealt with according to established order by 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 107 
 
 their watchful brethren, and reclaimed or ex- 
 cluded from society. The records of Falls 
 Monthly Meeting exhibit the vigilance of 
 that body in guarding its profession against 
 reproach ; and it is not likely that the other 
 branches of the Quarterly Meeting, chiefly 
 spreading from Falls as a parent stem, sud- 
 denly abated their carefulness. 
 
 There is evidence that Aveddings generally 
 assumed the form of festivals, which it has 
 been suggested was in imitation of such prac- 
 tice in England. A good dinner was provided 
 for the entertainment; the invited guests in- 
 cluded relations, Mends and neighbors, in 
 number sometimes amounting to more than 
 two hundred. It has been represented that in 
 these promiscuous gatherings, " a lively spirit 
 of plain friendship, but rather rude manners, 
 prevailed in the company ; they frequently 
 met again the next day, and being mostly 
 young people, and from under restraint, prac- 
 ticed social plays and sports in which they 
 went to an extreme of folly." These customs 
 appertaining to marriages, were with some 
 
108 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 modifications, continued until a mucli later 
 period of time ; but how far Friends partici- 
 pated therein does not now fully appear. 
 
 Much produce was conveyed to the distant 
 market, and grain to the distant mill, on horse- 
 back — and light carts were gradually intro- 
 duced, and finally wagons ; these accommo- 
 dating A^ehicles were esteemed a great im- 
 provement upon former usage : were much 
 valued as an available means for transporta- 
 tion of the increasing spare produce, also as 
 an improved mode of personal con\'eyance, as 
 well as important aj)pendages to the farming- 
 operations, and to such industrial establish- 
 ments as might need them. The introduction 
 •of Riding Chairs was long regarded with dis- 
 trust, and as an unwelcome innovation upon 
 primitive simplicity. 
 
 The stock of domestic animals was greatly 
 multiplied ; the fiesh of the cloven-footed 
 variety when fatted and slaughtered yielding 
 abundant provision ; copious supplies of milk, 
 butter and cheese were produced, and from 
 the wool of the sheep the crude material for 
 
or FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 109 
 
 the manufacture of clothing. The English 
 breed of horses were gradually introduced, 
 and were said to have been much preferred, 
 being larger, more elegant, and more gentle 
 and docile in their tempers than those in gene- 
 ral use. The system of farming was also much 
 improved. 
 
 Wheat and rye growing thick and tall on 
 the newly cultivated land, many men, and 
 some women, it is said, became \'ery skilful in 
 the use of the sycle, which was the instrument 
 made use of for harvesting such crops in those 
 <iays; some of these laborers became somewhat 
 ambitious of their qualifications for reaping, 
 and proved their dexterity and endurance in 
 ■energetic contests for superiority in skill and 
 speed. The flail was the chief instrument 
 made use of for beating out the grain, which 
 was separated from the chaff by tossing it 
 sufficiently high to come in effectual contact 
 with the force of the wind. 
 
 It is said that the hunter in his log cabin 
 ■enjoyed his roasted venison and stewed pies 
 with a high degree of relish, and it is probable 
 
110 mSTORLCAL ACCOUA^T 
 
 that some followed hunting as an occupation, 
 not only for the support of themselves and 
 families, but also that they might profit by 
 the sale of their surplus accumulations. Deer, 
 turkeys and other small game were plentiful 
 in supply, and excellent provision in their 
 season ; and it is manifest that these articles 
 •of diet, so useful in contributing to the neces- 
 sities of pioneer life, entered largely into the 
 life-sustaining support of that generation. Of 
 course those located in the neighborhood of 
 the river, and some of the smaller streams, 
 drew large supplies from thence. 
 
 " For common living, milk, bread and pie 
 made the breakfast, the milk being boiled and 
 sometimes thickened in winter; good pork and 
 bacon with plenty of sauce, a wheat-flour pud- 
 ding, or dumplings, for dinner ; and mush or 
 hominy, with milk, butter and honey for sup- 
 per. Pies of green and dried apples, were the 
 universal standard of good eating, especially 
 for children." It is reported that " notwith- 
 standing the engagements at home, and the 
 difficulty of travelling in those early times. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTy. Ill 
 
 the visits of friendship were frequent, not only 
 among relations, but others. On these occa- 
 sions, cider metheglin, or small beer, toast of 
 light biscuit made of fine wheat flour, and 
 milk, butter, cheese, custards and pies mad& 
 up an afternoon's repast." 
 
 Of course, the products of the farm and 
 kitchin-garden entered largely into the family 
 requirements ; the pumpkin pie which was 
 held in much early esteem, has not yet lost its 
 reputation within the compass of some sections 
 of the Quarterly Meeting. A good apple or- 
 chard was much prized by some of the earlier 
 settlers ; the fruit was relished, cider was not 
 despised, apple-butter was a favorite produc- 
 tion, and cutting apple parties were frequent. 
 
 "The imposing authority of necessity obliged 
 the first settlers to wear a strong and coarse 
 kind of dress; enduring buckskin was used 
 for breeches, and sometimes for jackets ; osna- 
 burg made of hemp and tow was much used 
 for boys' shirts, sometimes flax, and flax and 
 tow were made for that purpose; and coarse 
 tow for trousers. A wool hat, strong shoes 
 
112 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 with brass buckles, two linsey jackets, and a 
 leather apron, made up the winter apparel. 
 This kind of dress continued to be common 
 for laboring people until 1750." 
 
 In the generations succeeding the first set- 
 tlers, there being a gradual advancement in 
 worldly prosperity, and a disposition to gather 
 more of the outward comforts of life around 
 them, a jDropensity appeared in some to in- 
 dulge in a little superfluity. The antiquated 
 form of made-up coats of tine cloth has been 
 represented as displaying three or four lai-ge 
 plaits in the skirt, wadding almost like a 
 coverlid to keep them smooth, cuffs large to 
 the elbows, open below, and of round form ; 
 the hat of a young man as a good broad- 
 brimmed beaver^ with double loops drawn 
 nearly close in the rear, and half raised on 
 each side. The silk gown as much plaited in 
 the back, the sleeves nearly twice as large as 
 the arm, and reaching rather more than half 
 way from the shoulder, the interval covered 
 with a fine holland sleeve, nicely plaited. 
 Some of the ancient beaver bonnets, worn by 
 
OF FRIEXDS I^T BUCKS COUNTV. 113 
 
 women in those days, were long retained, and 
 are perhaps yet preserved as heirdooms in 
 some families. The large overcoat Avith a 
 cape, long maintained a general standing, but 
 somewhat fantastic innovations upon its form 
 are reported. How far members participated 
 in those innovations upon former simplicity^ 
 is not now very apparent. 
 
 " Kotwithstanding the antique and rough 
 dresses, and unimproved habits and manners 
 that obtained among the early settlers ; yet an 
 honest, candid intention, a frank sincerity, and 
 a good degree of zeal and energy in adhering 
 to religious principles and duties, generally 
 prevailed among the more substantial part of 
 them. The careful housewifery and strict do- 
 mestic discipline of many honorable mothers, 
 had long an influential effect. The domestic 
 management which fell to the share of the 
 women, was generally well ordered. As soon 
 as Avool and flax were raised, they manufac- 
 tured good linen of different degrees of fine- 
 ness — drugget, linsey, worsted, &c., sufficie-nt 
 to clothe themselves and families — were A'ery 
 
114 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 industrious aud frugal, contented to live ujjon 
 what their present means afforded, and were 
 generally qualified to make the most proper 
 use of what they had. " 
 
 While the land was fresh and new, it pro- 
 duced crops of wheat and rye, represented 
 from fifteen to twenty-five or thirty bushels to 
 the acre, and it appears from an old account- 
 book of one who conducted a grist-mill and 
 store, before and after the year 1730, that his 
 charges were as follows : "Wheat, from three to 
 four shillings ; Rye, one shilling less ; Indian- 
 Corn and Buckwheat, two; Middlings, fine, seven 
 and eight shillings ; course, four to six ; Bran, 
 one shilling ; Salt, four ; Beef, two pence ; Bticon, 
 four pence ; Pork, about two pence. " 
 
 " Improved land was sold generally by the 
 acre, at the price of twenty bushels of wheat. 
 Thus, wheat 2s. Qd., land £2 10s., wheat 3s., 
 land £3, wheat 3s. Qd., land £3 10s., wheat 5s., 
 land £5. " 
 
 It has been represented that education was in 
 a very backward condition, that school-houses 
 were generally poor dark places, that the 
 
OP FEIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 115 
 
 teachers were often very unsuitable, that dis- 
 cipline was often administered with great se- 
 verity, and that but little school learning was 
 in a general way obtained. 
 
 The winter of 1740-41 was very severe, the 
 snow was deep and laid long ; and it is said 
 that in those earlier days of colonial history, 
 snow fell in greater abundance, and laid longer 
 upon the ground, than of later years ; and also 
 that north-easterly storms of two or three days' 
 continuance, were more frequent ; also the ap- 
 pearance of northern lights. 
 
 The few remaining Indians were disposed to 
 cultivate amicable relations with their pale- 
 faced neighbors, and were also disposed to' 
 be serviceable. Thus, peace and prosperity 
 reigned, and civilization progressed. 
 
 Several of the quotations are from the pen 
 of Dr. Watson, who, in the absence of direct 
 information, is confidently supposed to have 
 been a Friend, and to have lived in Bucking- 
 ham. And although his descriiDtions were not 
 confined to that locality, it is reasonable to con- 
 clude that some of them embraced stronger 
 
116 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 points in the vicinity than elsewhere. In the 
 absence of local history, the deficiency may in 
 some measure be supplied by referring to his- 
 torical accounts of neighboring sections of 
 countiy that have been settled under corres- 
 ponding circumstances, and by the same kind 
 of ]5eople, whose manners, habits and pursuits, 
 whose privations and enjoyments, and civil and 
 religious progress, are supposed to have been 
 very similar to their own ; and thus, by refer- 
 ring to the more northern section of our fra- 
 ternal community, circumscribed within the 
 limits of the Quarterly Meeting, whose boun- 
 daries have ever been of moderate extent; 
 and by applying the descriptions and conclu- 
 sions to the remaining part of our meeting ter- 
 ritory, we may thus become possessed of much 
 apparently reliable general information, that 
 may be received with confidence, and applied 
 accordingly. 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 117 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 The temporal blessings of a beniticent Pro- 
 vidence were now abundantly scattered around 
 a thriving people, not in the form of stately 
 mansions, of costly furniture, of well-filled 
 coffers, of splendid equipages, of numerous 
 servants ; these they possessed not, their bles- 
 sings did not consist in these ; but they were 
 of a different character, and of a more sub- 
 stantial kind. Their houses were not ostenta- 
 tious, but comfortable ; their raiment coarse, 
 but serviceable, and principally of their own 
 manufacture ; their food wholesome, nourish- 
 ing and abundant ; their health, mostly good, 
 and slumbers sweet and refreshing ; their 
 flocks and herds were scattered around them, 
 yielding a supply of food, raiment and ser- 
 vice, and receiving the needful provender, 
 shelter and care ; the land, after much labor, 
 had been brought under successful cultivation, 
 and the seasons being favorable, yielded abun- 
 dant harvests, and richly repaid the husband- 
 
118 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 man for his toil ; the merchant and mechanic 
 received the patronage of a thriving people, 
 and in general, harmony prevailed among the 
 inhabitants. If this picture is correctly drawn, 
 it presents a beautiful s])ecimen (.>f the outward 
 comforts of life under very fa\'orable circum- 
 stances for appreciative enjoyment; it presents 
 to our view, a condition which the wise and 
 good of all ages have commended— a happy 
 medium between poverty and riclies, wherein 
 want pinches not, nor cares oppress ; it pre- 
 sents to our view the happy eitects of honest 
 inddstry and patient perseverance, regulated 
 by a solemn sense of religious feeling ; and it 
 presents to our view, a people contented in 
 their allotments, reaping the enjoyment of a 
 harmonious intercourse wath each other ; satis- 
 fying their unambitious minds, not wdth the 
 extravagances and luxuries of life, but with 
 abundance to sustain and to gratify their 
 moderate wants. The time here adverted to, 
 from 1725 to 1750, was, perhaps, the happiest 
 period in our early history — peace, plenty, 
 harmony and contentment smiled upon the 
 
OF FBIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 119 
 
 generation then existing; an extraordinary out- 
 pouring of the spirit upon sons and daughters 
 was recognized ; the body was nourished and 
 the mind refi-eslied. Doctor Watson writes, 
 ^' Friends about tliat period (1732) were 
 greatly favored Avitli a lively tlow of gospel 
 ministry. Jacob Holcombe, John Scarborough, 
 Samuel Eastburn, Joshua Ely, Benjamin Fell, 
 Enoch Pearson, p]dmund Kinsey, Abigail 
 Paxson, Elizabeth^Fell, Phebe Ely (formerly 
 Phcbe Smith), Jane Bradfield and Ann Scho- 
 iield, were all ministers, and all of them at 
 the same time members of Buckingham Meet- 
 ing, except Jacob Holcombe and Abigail Pax- 
 son who were deceased before my memory. 
 All the rest 1 can well remember. About 1750- 
 51, John Scarborough was frequent and gene- 
 rally large in his testimonies, as also Isaac 
 Child who appeared at Plumstead when quite 
 a young man. Nathan Preston and Thomas 
 Vickers were ministers belonging to that meet- 
 ing." But man is prone to forget his Benefac- 
 tor when loaded with his continued benefits ; 
 the increase of riches are favorable to the in- 
 
120 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 troduction of a worldly spirit, and temporal 
 prosperity often operates unfavorably upon 
 minds unterapered by religious experience; 
 many who have been sympathizing pupils 
 in the school of adversity have relaxed their 
 friendship in the hour of prosperity ; worldly 
 aggrandizement has produced envy in the feel- 
 ings of some who have been left in obscurity ; 
 -competition in the pursuit of the same object, 
 lias sometimes created and fostered jealousy 
 and ill feeling ; and the cross occurrences of 
 life in general, have often generated discontent 
 in weak minds. Causes like these operating 
 on the natural sensibilities, have sometimes 
 sapped the tranquility of communities, dis- 
 turbed the order of society, impeded the pros- 
 perity of the professing church, and brought 
 ■down Divine displeasure upon an ungrateful 
 and backsliding people. Some of these conse- 
 quences came on apace, and eventually over- 
 took the peaceful progress of the much fa- 
 vored but perhaps too unwatchful community. 
 Friends still retained a preponderating influ- 
 ence in the administration of the Grovernment, 
 
OF FBIEjrDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 121 
 
 which, still remained tranquil ; was yet con- 
 ducted in great measure on the principles upon 
 which it was founded, the people were still 
 reaping the benefits thereof, and harmony still 
 continued to prevail. The picture presented 
 to the imagination at this period was beautiful, 
 but perhaps it was as the calm that precedes 
 the storm. In the succeeding ten years the 
 aspect of affairs considerably changed ; the 
 period from 1750 to 1760 was marked by a 
 decline of friendly intercourse, of united and 
 harmonious action among Eriends, and of 
 church and state tranquility in general ; the 
 influence of our members in the Provincial 
 Government began to decline, as the growing 
 importance and determined opposition of a 
 rival power, almost diametrically opposite in 
 principle, and unfeeling in practice, bore tri- 
 umphantly onward to the supplanting of Friends 
 in the Colonial Councils. The rights of the 
 Indian were neglected, his wrongs unredressed, 
 and driven to some acts of violence by way of 
 retaliation, was met in the same vindictive spirit 
 by the rival power ; war was declared against 
 
12^ .■'•■):;'' :HiSTOfiiML''^K5ElT(SHES' ' -' 
 
 him, and at the same tinfe ebgaiihst his French 
 allies, who had laid claim to and invaded a 
 portion of Pennsylvania bordering on its 
 western frontier. The turbulent spirits of those 
 turbulent times clamored for war. The agita- 
 tions of the colony are said to have been violent. 
 In the commotions prevailing the political 
 influence of Friends passed away, and the reins 
 of the government of Pennsylvania fell from 
 their hands ; but being rid of its responsibilities 
 and entanglements, and of a number of their 
 unstable members who having deserted their 
 principles had been very annoying, and from 
 their own sufferings learning righteousness, a 
 more satisfactory yet still anxious season 
 followed. 
 
 One morning in the year 1760, the sun shown 
 as brightly as usual for about an hour after 
 rising, and then the air grew dark, and in the 
 afternoon the sun was totally obscured. In 
 the summer of 1766, almost all the privet 
 hedge died in Bucks County, the loss of more 
 than two miles of it is reported to have taken 
 place upon one farm. About this time pota- 
 
OF FBIENDS IN BUCKS; COUNTY. J23 
 
 toes were introduced, and were raised in ifields 
 in considerable quantities for family use and 
 for stock. The export of Indian meal com- 
 menced about the year 1767, and the grain 
 becoming profitable was more generally raised. 
 Much whole grain of wheat was sent to France, 
 and whole corn to the West Indies ; produce 
 commanded a better price, money became more 
 abundant, circulated more freely, and more lux- 
 urious habits were gradually initiated. Tea 
 was introduced at an earlier period, and its use 
 soon became general. Foreign dry goods had 
 become extensively patronized, and were to 
 great extent supplanting home manufactures ; 
 yet all domestic production was not suddenly 
 abandoned, but continued in limited extent 
 long afterwards. Superfluity in dress, and 
 in the mode of living were on the increase, 
 many of the earlier way-marks were becoming 
 gradually removed, and the lines between rich 
 and poor became much more strongly marked 
 than formerly. In the community, an increas- 
 ing indulgence in sectarian prejudice was 
 observable. Political agitations were intense, 
 
124 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 and the era of general good feeling and har- 
 monious action seemed to be passing away, as 
 the current of unsettlement bore onward, and 
 finally culminated in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 J. B. although a member of the society of 
 Friends, yet in harmony with a custom pre- 
 vailing in England in those days, kept his 
 pack of hounds, and hunting horses, and in- 
 dulged freely in fox hunting, a practice which he 
 continued until quite late in life. It is also 
 probable that the destructive propensities of 
 these cunning animals, stimulated him, as well 
 as others, to energetic efforts for their extermi- 
 nation, under the plausible pretence of their 
 being a public nuisance ; but fox hunting which 
 had been tolerated in the earlier existence of the 
 colony, at length became very annoying to some 
 of the cotemporaries of J. B., and they appealed 
 to the law for an abatement of the nuisance. In 
 this controversy Nicholas Wain, then a young 
 man, and who afterwards became a prominent 
 and highly gifted minister of the gospel 
 among Friends, was employed as counsel by 
 the fox hunters, and by his power of oratory 
 
OF FRIENDS -IN BUCKS COUNTY. 125 
 
 and persuasive eloquence, gained the cause (of 
 doubtful utility) for them. The other side of 
 the case Avas represented by an eminent mem- 
 ber of the legal profession — by the man who 
 had trained and initiated Nicholas into the 
 knowledge, the mysteries and the responsibili- 
 ties of the practice of law, and who upon 
 witnessing the keen sallies of wit, and the 
 irresistible force of the current of the ingenious 
 arguments of this youthful aspirant for legal 
 distinction, suddenly exclaimed, " have I raised 
 up a young eagle to tear my eyes out ; " "no,"was 
 the energetic response, " only to open them." 
 
 One night two thieves entered the dwelling 
 of J. B., but being disturbed in their operations, 
 fled ; the hounds were unkenneled and started 
 upon their tracks, and the robbers were over- 
 taken and captured. This night's enterprise 
 proved to be the last opportunity for the grat- 
 ification of their thieving propensities, for 
 having robbed a store a few nights previous, 
 they were for that offence tried, condemned. 
 
126 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 and executed. This item is introduced as a 
 specimen of the severity of the laws in those 
 days. 
 
 In the early days of the Republic, while the 
 war was still progressing, the Continental Con- 
 gress issued paper money, and although it 
 never was redeemed, yet the penalty for refusing 
 its acceptance in payment of debts was death. 
 At this time a Friend residing near Newtown 
 admitted that he had hay for sale, at a named 
 price ; an American officer told the Friend that 
 he would take the hay, and offered Continental 
 money in payment, which the Friend refused ; 
 he was immediately arrested, and after sum- 
 mary proceedings was condemned to suifer 
 death ; and it was not until after much earnest 
 and persevering importunity from his wife and 
 others, that a reluctant amelioration of the 
 sentence was granted. 
 
 In the days of the Revolutionary War there 
 was a family of six sons bearing the name of 
 Doan, residing Avithin the limits of Bucks 
 Quarterly Meeting ; they were members of the 
 religious society of Friends, and it is said of 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 127 
 
 thern, that they were desirous of holding them- 
 selves aloof from the controversy existing 
 between the Colonies and the Mother Country ; 
 but, as in this position they possessed the 
 confidence of neither party, and were very un- 
 charitably treated by some of the zealous 
 supporters of the new government; instead of 
 being willing to suifer for righteousness sake, 
 their feelings became irritated, and also alien- 
 ated from the American cause, and they attached 
 themselves to British interests with abundance 
 of zeal, and apparently with much cordiality. 
 They became a terror in the community ; for- 
 feiting the sympathy of the Friends, with whom 
 they had walked in fellowship, and bidding- 
 defiance to law, they depredated indiscriminately 
 upon American property, selling much of the 
 spoils to members of the British Army. 
 Possessing fleet horses, they were " skillful in 
 evading capture, but several of them eventually 
 met violent deaths. There is a locality in the 
 neighborhood of Fallsington, then within the 
 recesses of a dense wilderness swamp called 
 "Tory SjDring;" this hiding place has been 
 
128 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 represented as having been much resorted to 
 by some of the brothers. 
 
 From about that period of time when the 
 controlling administration of the laws of Penn- 
 sylvania passed from the hands of Friends, 
 until the close of the Revolutionary War, their 
 loyalty to the waning Colonial government, 
 and to that which afterwards arose upon its 
 ruins, was seriously questioned ; and in many 
 instances, a most uncharitable and unchristian 
 .spirit was manifested toward them, notwith- 
 standing their well known peaceable principles. 
 And although there was no member of Bucks 
 Quarterly jNIeeting among the exiles to Vir-- 
 ginia, yet the same spirit of intolerance was 
 extended to many of the former locality. 
 Whether this purifying and refining process 
 in the furnace of affliction did, or did not, 
 operate against the best welfare of faithful 
 Friends of Bucks County, may be an unsolved 
 (|uestion, but it is clearly manifest that they 
 bad much to be thankful for notwithstandino- 
 their tribulations ; the loss of political power, 
 most likely, was no disadvantage to their 
 
OF FEIENDS IN BUGKS COUNTY. 129 
 
 spiritual condition, and taking into considera- 
 tion the peculiar position which they occupied 
 in the community, the extension of Divine favor 
 was marked, and unmistakable ; of course they 
 suffered many hardships and privations, but 
 the preservation of life, the attainment of daily 
 bread, the very general continued possession 
 of their homes, and surrounding households, 
 their supported Christian testimony against 
 war, the valuable examples of their pious and 
 circumspect lives ; for these and other favors 
 Divinely extended in the hours of solemn need, 
 through a most perilous and agitated period 
 of time, there was cause for gratitude, and 
 humble thanksgiving, and doubtless they that 
 were worthy were mindful of it. 
 
130 HISTOEIGAL SKETCHES 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Pennsbuky was the name bestowed upon 
 William Penn's favorite American mansion 
 and its near surroundings: the location was 
 in Penn's Manor, near the Delaware River, 
 and near the south-eastern extremity of Bucks 
 County, Pennsylvania. It was a place which 
 attracted much attention in its early history, 
 and is yet a locality around which clusters 
 much historic interest — religious, political, ju- 
 dicial, social, domestic. The spacious mansion 
 itself was a prodigy of the times, and the illus- 
 trious family which occupied it the centre of 
 great attraction. The founder of a new and 
 untried system of government, there spent 
 some of his happier hours, relaxing at times 
 from the severe duties of his position, and in 
 the enclosure of the family circle, partaking of 
 the more quiet enjoyments of life ; but these 
 hours of recreation doubtless were mingled 
 with seasons of thoughtful, and sometimes 
 painful, solicitude, under the weight of the 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 131 
 
 great trust that had been committed to his 
 care, and the heavy responsibilities he had 
 accepted and assumed ; yet he pursued his 
 way amid the sunshine and the clouds which 
 sometimes surrounded him, with unwavering- 
 trust in the triumph of his humane, liberal, 
 just and Christian policy. The infant govern- 
 ment of Pennsylvania received no inconsider- 
 able portion of its nursing at Pennsbury, 
 
 Penn's Manor, as originally laid out by 
 Markham, contained 8431 acres — the land 
 partly alluvial, and principally covered with 
 forest. The boundaries were somewhat irreg- 
 ular, but they bordered for several miles on 
 the River Delaware, and extended several 
 miles inland ; they also bordered on several 
 tracts of land taken up by earlier settlers 
 under the jurisdiction of the Governor of New 
 York, and never belonged to the Penn Estate. 
 About three miles intervene in a northerly 
 direction between Bristol, Penna., and the 
 nearest point in the original Manor boundary. 
 
 That portion of the domain lying between 
 Governor's Creek and Welcome Creek, con- 
 
132 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 taining the site of the original mansion and its 
 surrounding improvements, has been repre- 
 sented, and with a degree of plausibility, as a 
 noble island, an ancient Indian royalty, with 
 affluents from the river bending several times 
 around it, chosen by chieftains nurtured in 
 aboriginal warfare, as a position possessing 
 many advantages for defense against their en- 
 emies, and while in their possession bearing 
 the name of Sepassin. There is a portion of 
 Penn's Manor formerly occupied by beds of 
 creeks and affluents from and to the river, 
 which is now cultivated land, and this circum- 
 stance may in a degree account for the changed 
 appearance of the surface and surroundings. 
 Pennsbury is not now upon an island. 
 
 Upon the chosen situation, the agents of 
 William Penn commenced building a habita- 
 tion suitable for the governor of a great pro- 
 vince, even before his first arrival in the coun- 
 try. It was erected in 1682-3, and with the 
 improvements, some of which were perhaps 
 added at a later date, costs £5000, which was 
 estimated in those days as a large sum of 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY, 133 
 
 money. The mansion was sixty feet in length, 
 forty in breadth, and two stories high, built of 
 bricks, and covered with tiles. There was a 
 large reservoir for water on the top of the house, 
 constructed of lead, and to the leakage from it 
 was partly ascribed the premature decay of the 
 building. It has also been said that much of 
 the lead was pillaged at the time of the Revo- 
 lutionary War, for the purpose of moulding- 
 bullets. Judging from relics found upon the 
 premises, at least some . of the window sash 
 was likewise of lead. The out-houses — includ- 
 ing a kitchen and larder, a wash-house, a 
 house for brewing and baking, and a stable 
 for twelve horses — were all buildings one and 
 a half stories high, and are said to have been 
 so disposed as to produce an effect agreeable 
 and picturesque. The large wooden brew- 
 house was more secluded: after this historic 
 building, which has attracted so much curios- 
 ity and been visited by so many people, was 
 not needed or made use of for the special pur- 
 pose of brewing, it was utilized as a farm-house 
 
134 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 for many successive years ; but it has now 
 disappeared, except the foundations, which are 
 still visible. 
 
 The point has been somewhat controverted, 
 but it is generally believed that the mansion 
 faced the Delaware ; its appearance has been 
 represented as stately, and that the ujDper 
 windows commanded a inagnificent view of 
 the river and of the opposite shores of New 
 Jersey. The entrance was by stone steps lead- 
 ing to a handsome porch, on the oaken capitals 
 of which were displayed carvings of vines and 
 clusters of grapes, imported by the Proprietor 
 from England. The porch opened into a spa- 
 cious hall extending nearly the whole length 
 of the house, which was used upon public oc- 
 casions, for the meeting of the council, for the 
 accommodcition of strangers and distinguished 
 guests, for collective intercourse with the In- 
 dian tribes, and probably for courts and reli- 
 gious meetings, which it is asserted were held 
 at the mansion. On the first floor there was 
 also a small hall, and three parlors, all wain- 
 scotted with English oak and communicating 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 135 
 
 by folding doors. From information obtained 
 through the instrumentality of John Penn, the 
 great hall is represented as containing, among 
 ather articles of furniture, one long table, a 
 supply of pewter plates and dishes, and six 
 vessels for holding water or beer. It is pro- 
 bable that this hall was also occupied upon 
 various public occasions for the festive enter- 
 tainment of William Penn's numerous guests, 
 among whom the Indians are said to have 
 been the most frequent partakers of his hospi- 
 tality. Information through the same channel, 
 giving a descriptive account of the varied fur- 
 niture distributed through the three parlors 
 and little hall, described a great leather chair 
 in one of the apartments : this was probably 
 used by the Governor upon important public 
 occasions. The same source of information 
 describes the four chambers as being well 
 supplied with beds, bedding, chairs, tables, 
 etc. In one of them the bed curtains were of 
 satin; in another, of camlet; in another, of 
 striped linen. The chambers in the garret 
 were furnished with four beds. We also 
 
136 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 gather from the same authority, that upon 
 the broad walk or avenue lined and shaded 
 with poplars, extending from the mansion to 
 the river brink, and descending by a flight of 
 stone steps from the upj)er to the lower terrace, 
 on one occasion the tables were spread for the 
 festive entertainment of a large number of In- 
 dian guests ; and among the viands prepared 
 were one hundred turkeys, beside venison and 
 other meats. 
 
 The mansion stood upon a gentle elevation 
 surrounded on all sides by gardens, lawns, 
 shrubberies, and flower beds to which the 
 most beautiful wild flowers found in the 
 country, native and procurable, were trans- 
 planted. The Proprietor has been represented 
 as being extremely fond of a suitable country 
 house with extensive gardens, and that he 
 spared neither care nor money in order to 
 make Pennsbury prominently attractive as a 
 residence. He imported skilful gardeners, 
 both from England and from Scotland. The 
 gardens themselves were a marvel in the 
 colony for their extensiveness, for their beauty, 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 137 
 
 for their attractiveness of location, and for the 
 skill manifested in their management ; various 
 kinds of trees, shrubs, seeds and roots were 
 imported from England ; among them walnuts 
 and fruit trees. The adjacent woods were laid 
 out in walks and drives at the time of the 
 Governor's first visit to the country, and 'he 
 afterward, in several of his letters, required 
 the preservation of the trees. There Avere 
 also more distant vistas, opening prospects 
 down the Delaware, and upward toward the 
 falls. 
 
 The Governor, both on his first and second 
 Adsits to Pennsylvania, imported valuable 
 horses. The family had a large traveling- 
 coach at its disposal, but owing to the fre- 
 quent badness of the roads it was not very 
 often called into ser^ace ; a calash was a more 
 frequent accommodation. Hannah and Letitia, 
 the wife and daughter of William Penn, rode 
 in a sedan chair Avhen they went a-shopping in 
 the city, or visited their female fricnd.s in the 
 neighborhood, and judging from the circum- 
 stance that several side-saddles and pillions 
 
138 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 were found in the mansion after the family h 
 left America, it is reasonable to suppose tli 
 the women to some extent practised horseba 
 riding. The Grovernor himself frequently ro 
 around the country on horseback, but he ger 
 rally traveled between Pennsbury and Phil 
 delphia in his barge, to which he was ve 
 partial, manifesting peculiar interest in it; 
 was of considerable dimensions, furnished wi 
 a mast and six oars. In a letter to his ste' 
 ard, he says : " But above all dead things, n 
 barge. I hope nobody uses it on any accoui 
 and that she is kept in a dry dock, or at let 
 covered from the weather." 
 
 Isaac Norris thus writes of the Proprietoi 
 wife when the family were about leaving t 
 country : " His excellent wife, and she is I 
 loved by all (I believe I may say in its fulk 
 extent) : so is her leaving us heavy and of re 
 sorrow to her friends ; she has carried und 
 and through all with a wonderful evennes 
 humility and freedom ; her sweetness ai 
 goodness have become her character, and a 
 indeed extraordinary. In short, we love h( 
 
OF PEIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 139 
 
 and she deserves it. " Letitia, the daughter of 
 William and Gulielma Penn, has been repre- 
 sented as very interesting and attractive : the 
 certificate setting forth membership and re- 
 moval granted by her friends in a collective 
 capacity, upon her return to England, por- 
 trayed their estimation of her merits in lan- 
 guage very appreciative. But it has been 
 represented, that these two worthy females, 
 Hannah and Letitia Penn, after the novelty of 
 the wilderness had passed away, had no cor- 
 dial love for the country of their adoption, and 
 had more than once invited the Proprietor to 
 take them back to their beloved England ; 
 that they were in a flutter of delight at the 
 prospect of leaving America ; and that they 
 themselves, were perhaps the only persons in 
 Pennsylvania who rejoiced at their departure. 
 Isaac Norris also writes : " The Governor's 
 wife and daughter are well; their little son, a 
 lovely babe; his wife is a woman truly well 
 beloved here, exemplary in her station, and of 
 an excellent spirit, which adds lustre to her 
 character, and has a great place in the hearts 
 
140 HISTOEtCAL SKETCHES 
 
 of all people. " Deborah Logan mentions a 
 tradition heard in her youth from an old 
 woman in Bucks County, " who went, when 
 she was a girl, with a basket containing a 
 rural present to the Proprietor's mansion, and 
 saw his wife, a delicate, pretty woman, sitting 
 beside the cradle of her infant, " The child 
 which is here brought into notice was pro- 
 bably the one, and the only one of William 
 Penn's children born in America. 
 
OF FBIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 141 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 It has been said that William Penn died a 
 slaveholder, but if so, it is manifest that it was 
 unintentional ; although there is reason to be- 
 lieve that slaves continued to be appendages 
 to the estate at Pennsbury after he left Penn- 
 sylvania for the last time, and even at the time 
 of his decease in 1718, and for several years 
 after ; yet, as he sets forth in a will which is 
 still extant, made in 1701, containing this 
 clause : " I give to my blacks their freedom, 
 as is under my hand already, and to Old Sam 
 100 acres, to be his children's after he and 
 his wife are dead," it is not likely that he 
 changed his mind afterwards, but more pro- 
 bable that those entrusted with his American 
 affairs, were embarrassed in carrying out his 
 benevolent intentions. The following is from 
 a letter dated in 1721, from James Logan to 
 Hannah Penn : 
 
}42 HISTOEieAI/' ACCOUNT 
 
 " The Proprietor, in a will left with m^ 
 his departure hence, gave all his negroes t 
 freedom, but this is entirely private : how( 
 there are very few left. 
 
 "Sam died soon after your departure, 
 his brother James lately. Chevalier by a v 
 ten order from his master, had his lib 
 several years ago ; so that there are none 
 but Sue, whom Letitia claims, or did cL 
 as given to her when she went to Engli 
 These things you can best discuss. 
 
 " There are, besides, two old negroes, q 
 worn, that remained of three which I rece: 
 eighteen years ago of E. Gribbs' Estate of I 
 Castle County. " 
 
 It may be that some of those slaves, adv 
 ing as they were in age, were retained ii 
 unchanged condition, for the humane pur 
 of supporting them out of the estate in t 
 declining years. William Penn's last 
 makes no allusion to property in slaves. 
 
 When it became known among the Ind 
 that Onas, as they called the Proprietor, 
 about to leave the country, a large numb( 
 
OF FRIENDS IN- JBUeKS COUNTY. 143 
 
 them flocked to Peniisbury , to renew their 
 covenants, and to bid him farewell : many of 
 them were sad under a fear and an impression 
 that he would never return ; hovering around 
 his promises of friendship, protection and jus- 
 tice with increasing tenacity, and anxious lest 
 those who were left in trust of the administra- 
 tion of his affairs in his absence might not 
 prove satisfactory. This gathering together of 
 the Indians at Pennsbury upon the eve of the 
 Governor's absence from the province, was a 
 memorable and important occasion ; they met 
 in council, and for themselves and people, re- 
 spectively, expressed their earnest solicitude 
 that all their former covenants might remain 
 inviolate, and agreed, and earnestly urged, 
 that if any differences should arise amongst 
 them, such might not be made the occasion 
 of alienation and hostility between William 
 Penn or his people and the Indian chiefs or 
 their people ; but that justice should be done 
 under all circumstances, that all animosities 
 on all sides might be forever prevented. 
 
144 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 We can scarcely sufficiently appreciate 
 this day the advantages which resulted fi 
 William Penn's jDacific policy towards the 
 dians, and his consequent influence over th 
 The mutual hatreds and jealousies betw 
 whites and Indians which prevailed in o\ 
 colonies, and impeded their prosperity, "w 
 obviated here ; and the early settlers, w' 
 pressed with the cares and privations of p: 
 eer life, experienced not only their friends' 
 but their services. 
 
 J. Richardson, of England, has left an 
 teresting account of a visit which he mad 
 Pennsbury in the year 1701 or 1702. ' 
 following are extracts from his memoranda 
 
 " I was at William Penn's country ho 
 called Pennsbury, in Pennsylvania, whei 
 stayed two or three days, on one of whic 
 was at a meeting and a marriage. Mucl 
 the other part of the time I spent in seein 
 my satisfaction William Penn and man- 
 the Indians, not the least of them, in cou 
 concerning their former covenants, now a: 
 revived upon William Penn's going awa 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 145 
 
 England, all of which was done in much calm- 
 ness of temper and in an amicable way. 
 
 "When they had ended the most weighty 
 parts for which they (their councils) had been 
 held, William Penn gave them match coats 
 and some other things, which the speaker ad- 
 vised to be put into the hands of one of their 
 cossacks or kings, for he knew best how to 
 order them. I observed, and also heard the 
 same from others, that they did not speak two 
 at a time, nor interfere in the least with each 
 other in that way in their councils. Their eat- 
 ing and drinking was also in much stillness. 
 
 " William Penn said he understood they 
 owned a Superior Power, and asked the inter- 
 preter what their notion of God was in their 
 own way. The interpreter -showed by mark- 
 ing several circles on the ground with his staff, 
 until he reduced the last into a small circum- 
 ference, and placed, as he said by way of re- 
 presentation, the Grreat Man, as they called 
 him, in the middle of the circle, so that he 
 could see over all the other circles, which in- 
 cluded all the earth. 
 
146 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 " They went out of the house into an op 
 place not far from it to perform their worsh 
 which was done thus : First they made a sm 
 fire, and the men without the women sat do^ 
 about it in a ring, and whatsoever object th 
 severally fixed their eyes on, I did not i 
 them removed in all that part of their w( 
 ship, while they sang a very melodious hyn 
 which affected and tendered the hearts 
 many who were spectators. When they h 
 thus done, they began to beat upon t 
 ground with little sticks, or make some n 
 tion with something in their hands, a 
 pause a little, till one of the elder sort si 
 forth his hymn, followed by the company : 
 a few minutes, and then a pause ; and t 
 like was done by another, and so by a thii 
 and followed by the company as at firs 
 which seemed exceedingly to affect them a 
 others. Having done, they rose up a 
 danced a little about the fire, and pan 
 with some shouting like triumph or rejc 
 ing. " 
 
OF FRIENBS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 147 
 
 There is scope for thoughtfulness in the re- 
 membrance that this interesting people has 
 long since passed away from a large space of 
 country which spreads around Pennsbury — 
 a people so sincere in their devotions, so moral 
 in their lives, so Avarm in their attachments, 
 so unalterable in their friendships ; no linger- 
 ing remnant remains to represent the race of 
 their worthy fathers, or exibit the attainments 
 in civil and religious progress of which it was 
 doubtless susceptible. 
 
 And as the personal presence of William 
 Penn among the poor Indians was marked by 
 many testimonials of alFection on their part, 
 and as their friendship was pure, it was deeply 
 rooted and lasting, time and distance did not 
 wear it out ; the memory thereof was precious 
 to them, and they exhibited evidence of it long 
 after William Penn had passed away. It ap- 
 pears they had a veneration for Pennsbury on 
 account of associations connected with it, and 
 some tribes were wont to perform annual visits 
 to the locality. These visits were continued 
 until late in the last century, and perhaps 
 
148 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 were continued until a later period of 'time. 
 An eye-witness, who had been a young girl 
 residing with the family occupying the brew- 
 house dwelling about the time to which refer- 
 ence has been made, represented that among 
 the annual visitors were some of great age; 
 and at that period there yet remained some of 
 the walnut trees that William Penn had 
 planted, and these were objects to which they 
 clung with howling and lamentation, appa* 
 rently fi'antic with grief, yet with wild enthu- 
 siastic fondness. Some of these aged children 
 of the forest had knowledge of William Penn 
 personally as well as from tradition, and there 
 must have been something touching in these 
 exhibitions of true-hearted affection for his 
 memory, which still remained so fresh and 
 lively, so long after his earthly pilgrimage 
 had ended. 
 
 The bursts of affection with which the poor 
 Indians sometimes greeted their friend Wil- 
 liam Penn were somewhat singular in exhi- 
 bition, and, although doubtless annoying, per- 
 haps were not altogether displeasing to his 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 149 
 
 generous feelings. If tradition truly repre- 
 sents, these warm-hearted creatures upon one 
 occasion met him on the road in the neighbor- 
 hood of Pennsbury riding in his coach, and 
 from the impulse of the moment, drew him 
 from it, and wrapped their blankets around 
 him in token of affection ; and so impetuous 
 was their zeal to manifest their friendship and 
 attachment, that all danger from the fright of 
 horses was unheeded, overlooked, or not com- 
 prehended, and it was needful for the driver 
 to lie them to trees for safety. 
 
 The Grovernor of a great province sometimes 
 condescended to the low estate of the simple- 
 hearted and confiding Indians, partaking of 
 their venison, their hominy, their roasted 
 acorns, and other Indian dainties, joining in 
 their athletic sports, and sometimes rivalling 
 them in feats of agility ; with all of which they 
 were immensely pleased. 
 
 The Indians bore frequent testimony that 
 William Penn had never deceived them, and 
 unbounded was their confidence in his integri- 
 ty : doubtless it was good policy in him to 
 
150 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 
 
 cultivate their friendship ; but apart from 
 every temporal consideration, they possessed 
 a large share of his symj)athy, brotherly kind- 
 ness and disinterested love. 
 
 There is something truly pleasing in look- 
 ing back to the beginnings and advance, the 
 manifestations, comforts, and good fruits of the 
 friendship which continued to subsist between 
 William Penn and the Indians. Although he 
 possessed the land which had descended to 
 them from their fathers, and they were exiles 
 from it, still that friendship remained unim- 
 paired. Were we now to look abroad over 
 the scattered remnants of our Indian popula- 
 tion, how few examples of warm attachment, 
 unwavering friendship, and bursts of affection 
 would be manifested at the presence of those 
 that have been instrumental in dispossessing 
 them of their ancient inheritance, and how 
 few would be the testimonials to the justice 
 and generosity of these. 
 
 A scanty remnant of one or two of the old 
 cherry trees, which it is said William Penn 
 
OF FRIENDS IN BUCKS COUNTY. 151 
 
 planted with his own hands, is still obtainable 
 as relics. A portion of the brick pavement 
 which constituted the cellar floor of the man- 
 sion, is now an unaltered portion of the cellar 
 floor of the attractive modern farm-house built 
 partly upon the foundations of its ancient but 
 more pretentious predecessor. The occupants 
 of the present dwelling are supplied with ex- 
 cellent water from a well near the door, from 
 the same well which, yielding the like pure 
 and refreshing water, contributed to the neces- 
 sities and comforts of the Penn family in days 
 which have long since passed away. The wor- 
 thy farmer who now owns and occupies the 
 premises, bears the name of William Penn 
 Crozier. 
 
 The ancient improvements and the forests 
 have nearly all disappeared from Pennsbury 
 and its adjacent surroundings, but the site of 
 the mansion is still there, and the river pur- 
 sues its wonted course as when the Propri- 
 etor of a great province, and the introducer 
 of a new, and to the world novel, system of 
 
152 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 government, launched his favorite barge upon 
 its waves or tranquil waters, and perhaps 
 contemplating the rapidly approaching period 
 when the progress of civilization would change 
 the sylvan scene before him, and his benev- 
 olent exertions to implant the blessings of 
 civil and religious liberty be crowned with 
 success.