History of Montgomery Co Pennsylvania by Bean |
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CHAPTER LIX LIMERICK TOWNSHIP PAGE 917 Among the present land-holders in the township are still
found some of the descendants of the aforesaid, hearing the names of:
Evans, Pennypacker,
Barlow, Umstead and Custer Religious services were occasionally held in the school-house by the neighboring pastors, the residents of the neighborhood of German descent belonging either to the congregations at the Trappe, Pottstown or New Hanover. About the year 1807 steps were taken to secure the erection of a church. A petition was presented to the Legislature for a lottery to raise the sum of two thousand dollars for the purpose of building a Union Church for the use of the Lutherans, German Reformed and the Episcopalians. A charter for the lottery was granted February 16, 1808, and eight commissioners appointed, but as the enrollment tax was not paid, it remained unauthorized. It was not until the winter of 1812-13 that active measures were taken to carry out the movement. The commissioners were: The church is situated about half a mile above Limerick Square, on the west side of the Reading turnpike, and from its elevated position affords from the churchyard a fine view of the surrounding country. The oldest stone observed in the grave. yard bears the date of 1732, one of 1754 and several of 1787. A great many have been buried here, particularly of the name of Evans. The most common names noticed on the tombstones are those of: Evans, Shaner, Kraus, Smith, Snell, Missimer, Nettle, Kohl, Groff, Klein,
Miller, Wagner, Christman, Schaffer, Barlow, Hallman, Beyer, Boyer, Fox,
Geiger, Royer, Walt, Mench, Brant, Hunsberger, Grubb, Linderman, Johnson,
Schwenck, Kendall, Worley, and Stetler The grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch was David
Evans, his parents being Owen and Rachel Evans, all of whom were born
and spent their lives in Limerick township on the farm part of which
is occupied by John Evans. David Evans was born in 1802 in Limerick township,
where, with the exception of a brief period, his whole life was spent.
He received in youth such advantages of education as the primitive schools
of the day afforded, after which his Services were required upon the
farm, where he became proficient in all departments of labor. His father
having become the owner of a tract of productive land in Limerick Township
embracing four hundred acres divided it equally among his sons. David received his portion and at once began a successful career as a farmer. He added to the dimensions of this property by purchase, and continued during his lifetime to reside upon it. He was married to Phebe, daughter of Abner
Barlow, of Limerick Township,
and their children were Amos --who died in youth-- and Rebecca --who
married Samuel Kulp and is still living in Iowa. He
married, a second time, Mrs. Susanna Barlow, daughter of John
Hollowbush,
of Limerick township, whose children are Owen, John, Emily -deceased-
and Anne --who married John Frey and is now deceased. PLEASE read note below concerning this information Mr. Evans, while assiduous in his attention to private interests, found time to devote to affairs involving the public good. He was, as a Democrat, chosen to represent his constituents in the State Legislature, serving during the sessions of 1848, 1849 and 1850, and being appointed on various important committees. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Reading Turnpike Company. Mr. Evans, during his active life, bore a reputation for honor and purity of character, which inspired confidence and caused him frequently to be appointed to positions of trust, which were filled not less with fidelity than with signal ability. His death, which occurred in December, 1872, was sincerely deplored. Elaine Jeter writes of this history: Abner Barlow was born in 1792; he was one of the older brothers of Phebe
Barlow, who was born in 1802. (Abner was certainly not THAT precocious!)
Phoebe died when she was only 27 years old; she is buried (as are her
parents and her husband) in St. James Churchyard in Limerick. After her
death her husband, David Evans, married Susanna
Hollowbush (spelling
varies for her last name, but I believed this is the correct form, since
it appears on gravestones). This second marriage was apparently announced
in several churches; it is cited in several church's records. Samuel Bradford, Captain Henry O'Neal, First Lieutenant Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates Matthias Y. Sheffey, First Sergeant Isaac Arb, Second Sergeant Josiah Christman, Jonas Yost, James Christman, Musicians Privates John Rees, George Sheetz, Joseph Moyer, Joseph T. Miller, William Benter,
George Benter, Isaac Linderman, Joshua Smith, Eli Shallkap, Oliver Kugler,
John Smith, Jacob Hefflefinger, Benjamin F. Yost, Daniel Shallkap, William
Boyer, Samuel Keeley, James Barlow, James Linderman, Reuben Moyer, Edward
Kucher, and Jerome Ruth COMPANY H Recruited in Montgomery County
Among those enlisted is: President - Joel BARLOW Moorhead |
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