Sunday Cemetery - Floating Coffins

Published the 24^th of September in ?? in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

FRENCH TOWNS INUMDATED

A Cemetery Undermined and Coffins Float Down the River

     PARIS, Sept. 23 – The floods in the Department of Grad have caused much damage to property. On Sunday the river Rhone rose nineteen feet and the town of Beaucaire was flooded. At Vallerangue, on the Herabit, 39 miles northwest of Nimes, the river overflowed its banks and undermined a portion of a cemetery. A number of coffins were washed out, and together with their contents floated down the river.

     The Ardeche river is greatly swollen. At Aubenas a dike collapsed and the surrounding country was flooded. Houses were undermined by the waters and fell and the vineyards throughout the district were devastated. Three persons were killed.

     The Gardon River, in the Department of Gard has also overflowed its banks. The country along the river with its standing crops is an immense swamp. The Mousae bridge has been destroyed and the railroad and telegraphic services have been stopped. 
                                         (*above article found on Genealogy Bank website)

Sunday Cemetery - Veterans Cemetery Assignments

Published on the 1^st of May in 1904 in the Philadelphia Inquires out of Philadelphia, PA

NEWS OF INTEREST TO THE VETERANS

CEMETERY ASSIGNMENTS FOR LOCAL POSTS ON MEMORIAL DAY ARE ANNOUNCED

GENERAL OSTERHAUS TO BE GIVEN RECERTION BY THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER

     The commanders of the Philadelphia Grand Army posts announce the following assignments to cemeteries for Memorial Day: George G. Meade Post, No. 1, is assigned to North, South and Central Laurel Hill; Post 2 will hold services at Monument Cemetery. General U. S. Grant Post, No. 5, will visit All Saints’, the Philadelphia side of Mount Moriah, and St. James’, the Old Swedes, Burial Ground at Sixty-ninth and Woodland avenue. Ellis Post, No. 6, will decorate the graves of comrades buried in the cemeteries of Germantown and the Chelten Hills. Camp No. 9, of the Sons of Veterans, will assist them at Holy Sepulchre and Ivy Hill Cemeteries. Captain Walter S. Newhall Post, No. 8, will visit the Palmer and Hanover Cemeteries, and decorate the W. S. Newhall Monument. Glenwood Cemetery will be visited by General E. D. Baker Post, No. 8.

     Lieutenant John T. Greble Post, No. 10, is assigned to St. Paul’s and Lafayette Cemeteries. Hetty A. Jones Post, No. 12, of Roxborough, will visit the Leverington, St. Timothy’s and the Presbyterian, Lutheran and also the Hetty Jones monument. Colonel Ulric Dahlgren Post, No. 14, is assigned to Greenmount, Laurel Hill, St. Michael’s and New Cathedral Cemeteries, and the grave of Colonel Dahlgren. General G. K. Warren Post, No. 15, Manayunk, will decorate the graves of comrades at the German Reformed, St. David’s, St. John’s, German Catholic and the Presbyterian Cemetery, at Manayunk. Colonel W. L. Curry Post, No. 18, will observe the day at the south side of Fernwood Cemetery, and at Colonel W. L. Curry’s grave; South Laurel Hill. The services at the Od Fellows’ Cemetery will be in charge of Colonel Fred Taylor Post, No. 19. Courtland Saunders Post, No. 21, is assigned to Woodland and Cathedral, the Quaker Cemetery, at Darby, and the Baptist, at Blockley.

     The Hebrew cemetery at Eleventh and Federal streets will be visited by Admiral Dupont Post, No. 24. John W Jackson Post, No. 27, will attend services at Merion Cemetery. The Cavalry Post, No. 35, is assigned to West Laurel Hill Cemetery and the McClellan monument. Colonel Gus W. Town Post, No. 46, will decorate graves at Ronaldson, Philanthropic, St. Peter’s, at Third and Pine streets, and the Old Pine Street Church burial grounds. Captain Philp R. Schuyler Post, No. 51, is assigned to Franklin, St. Ann’s, Belleview, St. Peter’s and Holy Redeemer Cemeteries. General Phil Kearney Post, NO. 55, will decorate graves at St. Joachim’s, Cedar Hill. North Cedar Hill, Cheltenham, Oxford Church, Pennypack, Bridesburg, Magnolia and Bustieton Cemeteries. The graves of comrade in the west side of Mt. Moriah and also at Graceland Cemetery will be decorated by Colonel John W. Moore Post, No. 56. General D. R. Birney Post, No. 63, will visit Oakland and Knights of Pythias Cemeteries, and also the grave of General D. B. Birney. General John F. Reynolds Post, No. 71 is assigned to Old Swedes, Union, Mutual and Whatron Street Cemeteries, and to the Reynolds monument. Post 77 will go to Olney. The graves of Union soldiers at Wilmot and Bethel Cemeteries will be decorated by Robert Bryan Post, No. 80. The observance of the day at American Mechanics’ Cemetery will be in charge of Anna M. Ross Post, No. 94. Olive Cemetery will be visited by Charles Summer Post, No. 103. Winfield Scott Post, No. 114, will visit Mt. Vernon and St. James the Less Cemeteries. General John A. Logan Post, No. 115, is assigned to the Baptist Cemetery at Broad street and Passyunk avenue, and also at Trinity Lutheran. General Hector Tyndale Post, No. 160, will decorate graves at Mt. Peace Cemetery and also the grave of General Tyndale at North Laurel Hill. Pennsylvania Reserves Post, No. 191, is assigned to Fifth and Arch streets, Fernwood, Christ Church Cemeteries, and also the tomb of Robert Morris. John A. Koltes Post, No. 228, will visit the German Lutheran Cemetery and grave of Colonel Koltes at Glenwood. General Robert Patterson Post, No. 273, is assigned to St. Mary’s and to the Philadelphia Cemeteries and to General Paterson’s grave at Laurel Hill. Lieutenant Edward W. Gay Post, No. 312, will visit Northwood, Milestown, Baptist and Methodist Cemeteries and the grave of Lieutenant Gay. Colonel James Ashworth Post, No. 334, of Frankford, will decorate graves at the Methodist, Presbyterian, Mt. Smai, Hedge Street, Holmesburg, All Saints’, Collegeville, German Hill and Torresdale Cemeteries, and also the grave of Colonel Ashworth at Cedar Hill, as well as Section 6 at that cemetery. The services at the National Cemetery at Germantown will be in charge of General T. C. Donovan Post, No. 363. Naval Post, No. 400, will visit the Mt. Moriah Naval Plot and St. Mary’s Fourth and Spruce streets.

     Department Commander Walton and his staff will tender a reception to Major General Osterhaus, who is now visiting America for the first time since the Civil War, at the German Society Hall, Seventh and Spring Garden streets, Tuesday evening. All veterans are requested to attend the affair in Grand Army uniform.

Play Catch Up

     Wow who knew when the month of November rolled around I would find myself so busy that I would neglect posting on my blog. I’m sure that has never happen to anyone else. (Insert a smile with a few giggles.)  Well let me catch you up on all of the fun that has taken place in my world of family, genealogy, history and research. We celebrated another successful Halloween making memories. My parents joined us in the trick-or-treat festivities and a day trip into Philadelphia.  If you ever have the chance to walk around parts of Philadelphia prepare yourself for the amount of history you will see, hear and feel.  Wonderful!

     I presented “Searching Newspapers” at the Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society, on the 10th of October, I believe I already blogged on that experience.  I then had the opportunity to present “Getting Started” at the Appoquinimink Community Library and had a fun time with a great turn out and some wonderful questions. I will be presenting there again on the 13^th of January “Researching from Your Couch,” sharing some sites you can view from the comfort of your home while research your ancestors.   

 

     Before the night of witches, ghost and goblins I had the opportunity to be interviewed and appear in a local documentary on Middletown, “Middletown USA.” Nadine Owens Burton is the spirit behind this project and she continues to pour her love for Middletown our history and growth into this film. It was interesting to learn through this filming that there are actually 22 towns called Middletown within the United States. You’re invited to view her page, http://www.middletownusathemovie.com/     and see what she has accomplished so far.

     During the month of November I found myself working on research for a few clients and was able to reveal my work to one client. She was so delighted to learn more about her family and had a better understanding as to why her grandmother was so tough. Sometimes we hear stories about how one of our ancestors seemed to always be grumpy or wouldn’t spend a dime. Maybe they were always wrapped in a blanket while sitting in their home. She couldn’t understand why in the world her grandmother wouldn’t turn on the heat and insisted that a blanket and fire was all that was needed to keep her home warm. After reading some of the stories she had better understanding and found a new respect for that “grumpy grandma.”   

     I also had the opportunity to be one of the 12 presenters during a career fair at one of the local middle schools. I know that I’ve posted before on the fun I have presenting to our youth and their desire to learn more. Some of the questions I got were what you might expect, “how much money can you make,” “do you have a college degree,” “what it the hardest thing to find while researching.” Some of the unusual questions that made me laugh were “do you have to dig up the bodies of the ancestors,” and “is the paper they would write stuff on still alive.”  There were some really questions about DNA, difference between a record and a vital record and what information can be found in a cemetery. I had a few hands on items for them to view which always helps with the history connection.

     Whew…now onto this wonderful month of December. Finished closing another wonderful client and shared in the joy of her discovery. I was lucky enough to have some of her family’s history available to share with her from our local Middletown Historical Society. I’ve said it before and will say it again; your local historical society might have that key to unlocking some of your family’s history.  

 

Haunting at Old Andalusia College

I'm sure you can tell by now this is one of those months that I love searching for ghost, witches and goblins of years past. This one reminds me of some of the haunted homes on Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.

Printed  Sunday the 26th of December 1886 in the Kansas City Time out of Kansas City, Missouri

DR. CHAPMAN’S GHOST.

A Remarkable Apparition to Two Frightened

Philadelphians

[Philadelphia Times.]

There are two men in this city who are willing to take oath that the building at Andalusia known as “Old Andalusia college” is haunted. One of them is H. W. Eshaback, a member of the Philadelphia bar, and the other is Frank Tygh, a cigar manufacturer. A short time ago these two gentlemen passed the night with a friend, John Endiectt, in the old college, and since that time they have been starting their acquaintances with frightful stories of a ghost seen there. As a proof of his statement Mr. Eshback exhibits a bad looking upper lip, which he says was swollen up by coming in contact with the bonafide ghost. Their stories have gained considerable credence at Andalusia, where the affair is said to have taken place, and the citizens look upon the old college buildings with more than ordinary suspicion. Old Andalusia college is a three-story wooden building with a mansard roof, and is nearly fifty years old. It is situated at the junction of two roads about ten minutes’ walk form the Pennsylvania railroad station. The structure presents a ghostly appearance, and being surrounded by large, tall cedar trees, is not a place where any citizen would like to pass a dark night alone. It has been said or many years that the house was haunted.

When the college was in a flourishing condition under Dr. Chapman, twenty years ago, Mrs. Chapman and a young man named Minor become enamored of each other. Feeling that the doctor was an obstruction to the free enjoyment of their love, they accomplished his death by the aid of arsenic. In trying to obliterate traces of the crime some of the arsenic was thrown into the yard, where some of the ducks ate it and died. The death of the ducks in such a manner led to an investigation, resulting in the arrest of both Mrs. Chapman and young Minor. Minor was hanged. Mrs. Chapman escaped the law. Since that time the house has had the reputation of being haunted. Persons in that neighborhood say they saw lights in the house for years, and few of them would pass it after dark. After the murder the college proved a failure, and no one could be found willing to occupy it. The owner of the premises had a portion of the building torn down, and the remainder fitted up as a boarding house, but the unsavory reports concerning it prevented him from getting a tenant. Mr. Endicott finally offered to occupy the place, and has now been living there for some months.

Horace W. Eshback said yesterday; “A friend of mine, John F. Endicott, resides in the old Andalusia college, and the other day he invited me over to pay him a visit. Of course I accepted the invitation, taking with me Frank Tygh, a cigar dealer of this city. The weather was none of the best in the morning, and by afternoon a rain and snow storm arose which lasted until early the next morning. We had intended to return to the city on one of the late afternoon trains, but, as the storm raged without promise of early abatement, we decided to remain over. It must have been near midnight when we went to bed. We were shown to the spare room. This apartment was very large, with three deep windows, two doors and a fireplace. The old college has about twenty rooms, the larger number of which are unoccupied, and Tygh, who is a short, fleshy man and much given to the subject of spooks, shuddered as we walked down the hall, and muttered something about its being an elegant night for ghosts to play football. We entered the room, and Tygh thought someone was yelling but he grew more composed when I told him it was only the wind. The wind was really howling as if the very imps of iniquity were frenzied in the delights of a free night. With the wind whistling through the tall cedar trees it was almost impossible to sleep. Anyhow I could not sleep, and lay listening to the noises outside and to the snoring of my roommate.

Suddenly a light spread through the room, a light like that produced by a candle. In the surprise or rather astonishment of the moment I turned and sat up in the bed. I tell you what I saw made me feel sick and wish I was almost anywhere else.  Before me was what appeared to be the bust of a man, perhaps 45 years of age, the shoulders covered with a mantle. The face had a perfectly natural appearance, only it lacked mobility, and the whole seemed to be resting on a cloud of snow. The terrible apparition was moving about the room and I thought it might be a robber, but I noticed that there were no lower limbs, but that it gilded around like a balloon. Now, I am not a believer in spirits, but I was frightened. “What do you want?” I asked, hardly aware of what I was saying. The sound of my voice awakened Tygh. He sat bolt upright in bed, gave one glance and tumbled over onto the floor and began to pray. Tygh is not a religious man. The answer I received from the ghost was in the form of a severe blow to the mouth, cutting my lips badly and stretching me at full length on the bed.

“Almost simultaneously with the blow the figure noiselessly exploded and seemed to go straight up through the wall. The light did not go out for some time, but gradually died away, leaving us in darkness. I jumped up and lighted a lamp and found Tygh doubled up in a heap on the floor, almost insensible. I looked around the room and found the windows closed, the doors locked, and everything in the condition it was when we retired. I will admit that I was frightened and the quickness with which I dressed myself and hauled Tygh down stairs was something wonderful it is perhaps unnecessary to say that we spent the remainder of the night before a glowing fire in the sitting room. When Endicott saw me in the morning he laughed and wanted to know where I got my thick lips. I did not cate to tell him the truth, so I replied that I had struck it on the bed post in getting into bed. Now, as I said before I do not believe in ghosts or anything of the sort, but I’m going to investigate that matter and capture whatever it is, that is, providing it is anything human.”

Mr. Tygh swears that he saw the whole business and relates to a story similar to that of Mr. Eshback. He says he knows there is a ghost in the old building and money could not hire him to pass another night there.

Sunday Cemetery - Mine Victim Graves

Published the 14^th of July in 1902 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

TRENCHES DUG TO HOLD BODIES OF MINE VICTIMS

Regular Grave Diggers Refused to Work, So Comrades Dug Grave

WORK TO BE BEGUN

But Foreign Laborers Fear a Return to the Scene of the Disaster

Special to The Inquirer.

     JOHNSTOWN, Pa., July 12 – The tragedy is about over. To-day was given up to funerals and requiem mass for the dead.

Mine Superintendent George T. Robinson took a party through the Rolling Mill mine to-day where the disaster occurred. The company is preparing to operate the mine this week. The superstitious foreigners refuse to return to work in that mine.

The regular grave diggers in the Slavock and Polish Catholic Cemeteries refused to do their work because of exhaustion from the previous day’s work, and the comrade of the men who were to be buried had to perform this last sad office.  This summarizes the day’s news in the tragedy of the Cambria mine.

Trenches Served as Graves

     The hard rock of the cemetery soil made the task of digging the seventy graves separately too great, and two great trenches were dug instead. The scarcity of men to dig the graves came very near causing the county authorities to interfere and take charge of the work of interring the remains of the dead miners.

     Almost forty bodies lay in the barn to the left of the foreigners’ cemetery in Morrellville all last night. There was not even a man left to guard the bodies. The corpses in the barn were augmented this morning by four other bodies which were taken to the barn, and as there were no graves they had to be deposited among others.

Grave Diggers in Demand

     The Rev. Father B. Dembinsky made a herculean effort to have men volunteer to go out and dig graves but very few responded. This morning he made a personal canvass among his parishioners of St. Cassmir’s Slavack Catholic Church and succeeded in getting several relatives of the dead miners to go.

     Then Rev. Father Dembinsky made a personal appeal to the official of the Cambria Steel Company and they took action on the matter at once, and sent thirty miners to the cemetery.

     During the masses, which he held for his own people this morning, the Rev. Father Dembinsky again called for volunteer grave diggers, with the result that about five men volunteered their services. At 10 o’clock mass, held in St. Stephen’s Slavish Catholic Church, the Rev. Father John Marlvin made a stirring appeal to the members of his congregation and quite a number of men agreed to go, and at 11 o’clock there were sixty-four men in the Morrellville Cemetery digging graves for the dead bodies of the victims.

Regulars Refused to Dig

     The two regular grave diggers employed by the cemetery had positively refused to take up a digging iron. The force which went to work shortly before noon make great excavation, with the result that by 2 o’clock preparations were begun to bring the bodies from the barn and deposit them in the ground. The men worked hard and fast. Then their friends came to the cemetery and many not in working clothes, who had come to the burring ground to attend the funerals, got down into the holes and worked for ten or fifteen minutes each.

Solemn Church Scene

      In St. Stephen’s Catholic Church this morning the coffins, twenty-four in number, were placed side by side and pointing toward the altar. Others were placed on the tops of church pews, where they remained while the services were in progress. One by one, as a funeral was announced, the pall bearers, and dozens of them aced at numerous funerals during the day, would walk up the aisle, select the desired coffin or casket, always

Sunday Cemetery - Allegheny Cemetery

Published the 16^th of July in 1869 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

STORM AT PITTSBURGH

A Cloudburst Does Nearly a Million Dollars’ Worth of Damage

CAR LINES BLOCKADED

The Water Reached the Second Stories in Same Secitons

SEWERS WASHED AWAY

Part of Allegheny Cemetery Wall Has Been Destroyed and Nearly Two Miles of Track Torn Up. No Loss of Life.

     PITTSBURG, July 13. – A heavy storm to-night, which was practically a cloudburst, did great damage throughout this city and Allegheny Estimates made from reports coming from outlying portions indicate a loss of nearly a million dollars. All street car lines have been stopped.  

     At Forty-eight street water is in the second story of the houses, caused washed away, and nearly two miles by the bursting of a large sewer. Part of Allegheny Cemetery wall has been of the Citizens’ Street Railway is torn up.

     Tones of earth and stone have been washed out to the Fifth Avenue and Duquesne Traction Company’s lines at Soho.

The sewers in Butcher Run and Woods Run, in Allegheny, are reported as having given way, flooding those sections.

No loss of life as yet reported.

     In Allegheny, Perrysville avenue was flooded from one end to the other, undermining the new street railway, rendering it an almost total loss. Seven miles of Saw Mill Run plank road is destroyed, the planks being carried away and the roadbed ruined. The water came rushing down Madison avenue and east streets for feet deep, when the sewer on Compromise street gave way. It plowed its way right through houses in its track and deposited boulders and gravel in front of the Twelfth ward school house eight feet high. 

     The soap factory of George Harley & Son, on Madison avenue, has three feet of gravel on ground floor and $6000 worth of soap was destroyed. The house of John Mueller, on Spring Hill, near Royal Street, was washed down the hill with three children in it. All were rescued, however by brave work of neighbors.

     A landslide on Toboggan street carried with it into the streets below 1000 tons of earth, rock and gravel. All the cellars on Howard street were flooded. This section is in the famous Butchers’ Run district, which was so disastrously flooded on July 26, 1874.

Sunday Cemetery - Coffins in Flood

Published the 9^th of April in 1904 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

SHIFTED COFFINS IN FLOODED VAULT

BLUE-COATED MEMBER OF RITTENHOUSE FAMILY MOVED BODIES OF WIFE AND CHILD

     Conditions at the flooded Mennonite Cemetery, at Germantown, are growing worse. Yesterday the flow of water from whatever source it may come increased, and exceeded all efforts of the Water Bureau employes to divert it to the street.

It rose to the top level of the famous Rittenhouse family vault, and was overflowing form that and other vaults and graves into the cellars of near-by houses. The occupants of the latter have become alarmed lest the water, probably having come in contact with the bodies of the dead, may spread disease.

     They have accordingly circulated a petition to be sent to the health authorities, asking that immediate steps be taken to check the flood, as they fear an epidemic of disease may result. Some of the residents, whose houses have been flooded, are: Charles Reiner, E. J. Armstrong, Mrs. Roop, Mrs. D. M. Hicks and Harry S. Rahn.

Coffins Were Shifted

     Before the water reached the top of the Rittenhouse vault yesterday morning, Samuel Rittenhouse, foremen of Fire Engine Company, No. 19, of Germantown, a member of the distinguished family whose name he bears, climbed into the cavern to move the coffins of his wife and child who had lain there for about two years. Standing in the icy water waist deep, he shifted the coffins to shelves on a high level which had not yet been touched by the flood. But a few hours later the water again reached them.

      Meanwhile the Water Bureau employes were working several pumps to reduce the level of water.

     In strange contrast to the gruesome environments of the grave was a relic which came up through the pumps. It was a plain band wedding ring. Whose it was or what joyous union it had helped to bind in the forgotten years is unknown. It was turned over to members of the Rittenhouse family.

     The city employes engaged in trying to trace the source of the water flow have so far been baffled. Notwithstanding previous investigations, they are not inclined again to think the water comes from a broken main. The water has been shut off from most of the mains in the locality to determine it possible form where it flows into the cemetery.  

Sunday Cemetery - Farming a Cemetery

Published on the 16^th of August in 1902 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

BAD LUCK GOES WITH PURCHASE OF CEMETERY

Flower Converted Burial Ground Into a Farm, But Nothing Would Grow

HIS HOUSE HAUNTED

Lightning Strikes His Barn and Flames Destroy the Buildings

Special to The Inquirer.

     VINCENNES, Ind. Aug. 15 – George Flower, a promment young farmer, bought a strip of land at Sand Ridge, near here, on which was located the oldest cemetery in this section. The cemetery was surround by a grove and contained three hundred headstones.

     Flower removed and headstones, throwing some of them in the Embarrass River, and with the rest built a foundation for his house. The cemetery he plowed up and planted it in melons and potatoes. Although similar crops on the rest of the farm grew in abundance, the cemetery crop has been eaten up by a strange bug.

His House Haunted

     Flower’s house is now haunted, and for several nights past the building was shaken violently. Flower, his wife and two children are distracted with fear and have fled form the place. People having  relatives buried there have taken the matter up, and threaten to prosecute Flowers of obliterating the graves without giving them notice, so that they could have reinterred the dead. The grand jury of Lawrence county is investigating the case and may indict Flower.

Flower’s brother and sister and two of his children he buried in the devastated cemetery. Flower secured the money from his father, Frank Flower, in Colorado Springs, to by the farm.

Family May Go Insane

     The Flower family, it is feared, will go insane with fear. The neighbors dare not harbor them. The father seems to be impelled by an irresistible force to visit the haunted farm daily, only to flee again with increased fear.

To-day lighting struck the barn on the Flower place and burned the stock and buildings. The place is in an unfrequented portion of the county, and the little settlement of the vicinity is greatly excited over the mystery.  

Sunday Cemetery -Hood's Cemetery

Published the 12^th of May in 1902 in the Philadelphia Inquires out of Philadelphia, PA

THE CITY’S OLDEST

BURYING GROUND

Interesting Historic Memories Cluster About Hood’s Cemetery, in the Heart of Germantown’s Business District

     It is somewhat of a surprise to the chance visitor to discover a burying ground right in the heart of the business part of Germantown, on valuable property along the main street, with stores on either side. The fact that it must ever continue a cemetery, and that the bodies cannot be removed to give opportunity for building operations lends special interest to the spot, for the old deeds state that it must “continue a burying ground forever.” Since the handsome marble wall and entrance gate have been erected the place had been known as Hood’s Cemetery, after the giver of the find inclosure, but it is still popularly known as the “Old Lower Burying Ground,” in contrast to the “Old Upper Burying Ground,” another rare old historic cemetery in the upper part of Germantown. 

     The Old Lower Burying Ground or Hood’s Cemetery crowns the summit of the hill leading form Wayne Junction along Germantown avenue to Logan street. Though only five acres in extent, this diminutive city of the dead – according to a local historian – possesses a history which, bit by bit, links the present to the period when Germantown avenue was an Indian trail, and the city of Philadelphia itself a collection of about one hundred houses, lying for the most part east of Second street. Peculiar interest is attached to the cemetery from the fact that the Lower Burying Ground antedates any cemetery in this city. The history of this little graveyard begins with the incorporation of the borough of Germantown. The lot at the corner of Main street and Fisher’s lane was selected as a suitable site for a burying ground I 1690, a few months after the borough’s organization.

     The plot was secured by gift form Jan Streepers, of Holland, probably one of the Moravian emigrants who came to Germantown with Pastorius. The first authentic record of a conveyance is a deed dated February 12, 1692, in which one Leonard Arets granted the land to Paul Wolff, his heirs and assigns, for no other use than a burying place forever. The ground mentioned in this transfer measured one-half acre, of a square form, laying along the eastern side of Main street, or Germantown avenue. By subsequent purchases the premises were enlarged to their present dimensions. The frontage on Germantown avenue is one hundred and eighty feet, with a depth along Logan street, on Fisher’s lane, of three hundred and fifty feet, the whole lot containing about five acres.

     In March, 1847, William Hood, a rich but eccentric Germantown merchant, made a proposition to the trustees, that, in consideration of allowing him to build a vault in the doorway near the front gate, he would erect a marble gateway and entrance. This offer was accepted, and Mr. Hood built a beautiful entrance gate of Pennsylvania marble, with a handsome arch, the canopy supported by Corinthian columns. He also put a marble wall and handsome railing along the whole front. Mr. Hood died in Paris in 1850 and his instructions regarding the wall were carried out by his nephew, William H. Stewart. 

4th of July Program Scheme

Published on the 2^nd of June in 1899 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

CITY GETS NOTHING

Little Scheme Involved in the

Publication of Fourth of

July Programs

A COUNCILMANIC DODGE

Parties to It Said to Be Trying to Back

Out – Question of Official

Indorsement

     If there was one thing more than another that has been talked about in City Hall circles during the past two days it was the exclusive expose in Tuesday morning’s Inquirer of the fact that a member of Councils’ Fourth of July Committee had succeeded in grabbing the privilege of publishing the official Fourth of July celebration program, a privilege for which responsible men declare they stood ready to pay anywhere from $300 to $1000, and for which the city, although expending this year $10,000 on exercises which make the publication of the program possible, gets nothing. It will be remembered that Councils’ Fourth of July Committee had the awarding of the coveted privilege in charge.

     But there is still another chapter to be added to the story of the Councilmanic manipulation, free manipulation, of a valuable privilege. It seems that at least one other member of Common Council is not content that Joseph Eslen, the member from David Martin’s ward, the Nineteenth, whose printing concern is getting out the “official” program under the sanction of the Fourth of July Committee, should capture all of the fat, so he has started in the Fourth of July program business on his own hook. He doesn’t fail to appreciate the value of a Councilmanic position, however.

Issued a Letter

     Councilman Eslen issued a letter to the men he hired as solicitors for his “official program.” written on letter heads bearing at their top the imprint of the Common Council of Philadelphia. Councilman Leo S. Meyers, of the Twenty-eight ward, is not in competition with Councilman Eslin, of the Nineteenth ward. He has advertising solicitors at work also, and each of them is equipped with a letter to be shown to prospective contributors to Councilman Meyers’ Fourth of July program scheme.

     Mr. Meyers does not designate his program as “official,” by the way. He calls it the “citizens’” program. But his contracts are printed almost exactly like those put out by his brother Councilman, Mr. Eslen. Each has red and blue ink on white paper, and each bears the imprint of  a United States flag waving in the breeze on the upper left hand corner.

An Inquirer reporter has managed to get hold of one of the letters issued by Common Councilman Meyers, of the Twenty-eighth ward, to the men and women Mr. Meyers has out soliciting advertisements for his “citizens’” Fourth of July program. Here is the way it reads:

     “Common Councils, Philadelphia, May 19, 1899. – The bearer Mr. – is authorized to solicit advertisements for the Citizens’ Fourth of July Program, which will be distributed through the various parts of the city where the ceremonies will take place. Any favors extended to him will be appreciated. Very truly yours, Leo S. Meyers, Councilman, Twenty-eight ward.”

Letters Differ

     The letter, it will be noticed, differs from that issued by Councilman Eslen in that it does not have affixed thereto the signature of Councilman John S. Hammond, chairman of Councils’ Fourth of July Committee, nor does it contain a clause intimating that business firms signing contracts for advertising in Councilman Meyers’ program will be considered as contributors to the city’s celebration of the glorious Fourth.

     But the two programs, both being gotten out by members of Common Council, and the solicitors for both of which are armed with credentials written on Councils’ letter heads, have set would-be advertisers guessing.

“We don’t know just where we are at,” facetiously said one of them to and Inquirer reporter yesterday. “Of course, we want to contribute a little toward the city’s Fourth of July celebration, but we don’t know just who is who or which is which, and so we have decided to wait until we learn.”

     All of which is interesting in view of the declaration by Chairman Hammond, of the Fourth of July Committee, that the city gets nothing whatever out of the privilege secured by Councilman and member of the Fourth of July Committee Eslen. If the city doesn’t receive anything from Mr. Eslen it certainly doesn’t form Councilman Meyers, whose program does not bear the “official” stamp.

Meyers’ Program

     “I have heard of Mr. Meyers’ program,” said Chairman Hammond to The Inquirer reporter, “although I have not seen it. I spoke to Sergeant-at-Arms Hall, of Councils, about it, and Mr. Hall said, as I understood him, that Councilman Meyers had agreed to with-draw it. Whether or not he has done so I am unable to say.”

     It was said yesterday Mr. Meyers was trying to sell out his program deal to Councilman Eslen. It was also stated that Mr. Eslen was endeavoring to withdraw the ante-dated letters bearing Chairman of Fourth of July Committee Hammond’s authorization to Mr. Eslen’s solicitors to obtain advertisements to the “official” program. In evidence of the truth of the latter statement were the frantic endeavors made through various channels to obtain possession of the copy which fell into the hands of The Inquirer reporter.  

Sunday Cemetery - Mount Moriah Vandals

Published in May 1904 in the Philadelphia Inquire out of Philadelphia PA

SEEK DESPOILERS OF BURIAL LOTS

MOUNT MORIAH AUTHORITIES

WATCHING FOR VANDALS

WHO STEAL FLOWERS

SAY LOT HOLDER WAS CAUGHT IN

ACT OF TRANSFERRING PLANT.

REWARD OFFERED FOR ARRESTS

     The despoliation of burial lots at Mount Moriah Cemetery by vandals, who ruthlessly steal flowers and even entire plants and bushes which have been placed on or near graves by relatives or friends of the deceased, has assumed such serious proportions that George Connell, superintendent of the cemetery, has been compelled to employ special policemen and watchmen and to adopt rigorous measures in the hope of detecting the thieves.

     His efforts were rewarded two weeks ago when Matthew Coats, a special policeman employed by him, caught a man in the act of stealing flowers from a grave. The man proved to be a lot holder, to Mr. Connell’s surprise, and his arrest has led the superintendent to believe that many lot holders in the cemetery, whether maliciously or to save money, have been guilty of transferring flowers and plants from other lots to their own.

      The man arrested two weeks ago was arraigned before Magistrate Stratton and heavily fined. Mr.  Connell declared yesterday that the next person caught despoiling burial lots would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law instead of escaping with a mere fine. He said the penalty for such an offense, under the charter granted to the Mount Moriah Cemetery Association was imprisonment for a term of not less than six months nor more than four years.

Have Offered Reward

     “The next person,” Mr. Connell continued, “we catch stealing flowers or otherwise despoiling burial lots or graves in Mount Moriah will go to jail. We have offered a reward of $25 for the arrest and conviction of any person who shall willfully remove, destroy, cut or break any tree, shrub, plant or memorial of any kind within our cemetery. We do not even allow lot holders to remove flowers or plants from their own lots without having first secured permission from us. I have men detailed throughout the cemetery all the time on the lookout for flower thieves, but it is no easy matter to keep a watchful eye over the entire cemetery continuously.

     “You will realize this, I am sure, when I tell you that we have 365 acres, of rolling land to look after, part within the city limits and the rest extending into Delaware County. We have 45,000 lot holders, and there is hardly a clear day that we do not have at least five thousand visitors. On a nice Sunday it is no uncommon thing for 25,000 persons to visit the cemetery. You can imagine the task of keeping an eye on such a large number of persons. Strangers are about to sneak in despite our efforts to the contrary. We are receiving complaints continually form lot holders, all to the effect that flowers and plants have been stolen form their lots and the graves of their departed dear ones trampled upon and otherwise injured.

Thinks Plants Are Transferred

     “The same conditions doubtless prevail in cemeteries throughout the city and vicinity. It is almost impossible to altogether prevent it, but we are doing everything within our power to break up the systematic preying upon the burial lots of our cemetery. I do not think that the flowers and plants that are stolen are removed from the cemetery. I think the guilty ones are lot holders, who, whether from spite or to save themselves expense, pilfer flowers from the graves of others and adorn those of members of their own families with their spoils. This may seem preposterous, but I have good grounds for believing it to be true, and I am working along these lines in hope of catching the guilty ones. 

Tombstone Tuesday - Willits Family in Middletown, Delaware

Wanted to bring back  "Tombstone Tuesday" and continue viewing Old St. Anne's Church Cemetery. You can find so many nuggets of information while conducting your research in the cemeteries. For those of you who might not know I don't have any family, that I know of, buried here in this cemetery. That being said all of the information I used to conduct my research, and pull the attached documents came directly from the tombstones.

Merritt Noxon Willits Jr.

February 5 1874
February 5 1930

Son of
 Laura Naudain and
Merritt Noxon Willits

Louretta Cooper Willits

November 9, 1875 

            January 23, 1963            

Wife of
Merritt Noxon Willits Jr

Daughter of
Delia E. and
William F. Cooper

[1]1910 United States Federal Census from Pennsylvania, address listed as 121 W. Phil Ellena Street, shows that Merritt Willits, head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1874 in Delaware and his parents were both born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as a cashier with a bank; he was 36 years of age and in his current marriage for 8 years.  Louretta Willits, wife, married, white, female, was born abt. 1876 in Delaware and her father was born in Delaware and mother in Pennsylvania. It also shows that no occupation is listed; she was 34 years of age.  There are two children listed in the household. Dorothea Willits, daughter, single, white, female was born abt. 1907 in Pennsylvania; she was 3 years of age. Merritt Willits 3^rd, son, single, white, male was born abt. 1908 in Pennsylvania; he was 2 years of age. There are two others listed in the household. Celia Cooper, mother-in-law, widow, white, female, was born abt. 1853 in Pennsylvania, her father was born in New Jersey and mother in Pennsylvania. It shows that no occupation is listed; she was 57 years of age. Sarah Anderson, single, black, female was born abt. 1884 in Virginia and her parents were born in Virginia.  Her occupation was listed as servant; she was 26 years of age.  

[2]1920 United States Federal Census  from Pennsylvania, address listed as 121 W. Phil Ellena Street shows that Merritt Willits Jr, head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1875 in Delaware and his parents were both born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as Vice President with a bank; he was 45 years of age. Louretta Willits, married, white, female born abt. 1877 in Delaware and her both of her parents born in Pennsylvania; it also shows no occupation; she was 43 years of age. There are now three children now listed in the household. Dorothy Willits, daughter, single, white, female was born abt. 1907 in Pennsylvania; she was 13 years of age. Merritt Willits 3^rd, son, single, white, male, was born abt. 1909 in Pennsylvania; he was 11 years of age.  W Cooper Willits, son, single, white, male, was born abt. 1915 in Pennsylvania; he was 5 years of age.  Two additional members listed in the house hold, Delia Cooper, mother-in-law, widowed, white, female, was born abt. 1853 in Pennsylvania and both of her parents were born in Pennsylvania; she was 67 years of age.  Annie Hatcher, servant, single, black, female, was born abt. 1897 in Virginia and both of her parents were born in Virginia. Her occupation is listed as servant and she was 23 years of age. 

**Special note that Sarah Anderson appearing on the 1910 Census at the servant no longer appears.

[3]1940 United States Federal Census from Pennsylvania, address listed as 609 W. Harttew Street shows that Louretta Willits is the head of household, widow, white, female born abt. 1876 in Pennsylvania. It shows that occupation is listed as housewife; she was 64 years of age. Merritt Willits son, single white, male born abt. 1908 in Pennsylvania; no occupation is listed he was 32 years of age. William Willits, son, single, white, male born abt. 1915 in Pennsylvania; occupation listed as clerk with a bank he was 25 years of age.  The last person listed in the house hold is Cealia Jackson maid, married, black, female born abt. 1895 in Maryland; servant is listed as occupation she was 45 years of age.

**Special note that Merritt Willits Jr, Dorothy Willits, Delia Cooper and Annie Hatcher are no longer listed on this census.

[4]Merrit N. Willits Jr. address listed at 121 West Phil Ellena Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  It shows is age at this time was 44 with his date of birth 5 FEB 1874; race is white and native born. Present occupation is V. President Banker at Corn Ex. National Bank on 2^nd and Chestnut St in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wife is shown as Louretta C Willits. His description is tall, medium, light blue eyes with gray hair color.

[5]Aboard the S.S. Fort Victoria sailing from Hamilton, Bermuda on 5 APR 1924 and arriving at port of New York, NY on 7 APR 1924. The Willits family members can be found numbers 11-14, #11 Merritt Willits, age 50, male, married, born 1874 in Middletown, DE and living at 121 Phil-Elena Ave, Philadelphia, PA. #12 Merritt Willits age 17, male, single, born 1907 in Philadelphia, PA and living at 121 Phil-Elena Ave, Philadelphia, PA. #13 Dorothy Willits age 18, female, single, born 1906 in Philadelphia, PA and living at 121 Phil-Elena Ave, Philadelphia, PA. #14 Lauretta Willits age 48, female, married, born 1876 in Durwood, DE.

[6]Aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain sailing from Southampton, England on 8 SEP 1934 and arriving at port of Quebec, on 13 SEP 1934. The Willits family members can be found number 28-30, #28 Loretta C. age 58, female, married, born 9 NOV 1876 Denver, DE and living at 309 W. Hortter St, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. #29 Laura E. Willits age 62, female, single, born 30 OCT   1872 in Middletown, DE and living at 309 W. Hortter St, Germantown Philadelphia, PA. #30 Wm. Cooper Willits age, 20, male, single born 11 JUN 1914 in Philadelphia living at 309 W. Hortter St, Germantown Philadelphia, PA.

[7]Aboard the S.S. Conte Di Savoia sailing from Naples, Italy on 9 SEP 1936 and arriving at port of New York on 17 SEP 1936. The Willits family members can be found numbers 2 and 3. #2 Louretta Willits age 60, female, widowed, born 9 NOV 1876 in Dover, Delaware and living at 609 W. Hortler Str, Germantown, PA. #3 William Cooper Willits age 22, male, single, born 11 JUN 1914 in Philadelphia, PA and living at 609 W. Hortler Str., Germantown, PA.

[8]Merritt Noxon Willits Jr date of birth 5 FEB 1874, profession banker, parents’ were Merritt Noxon Willits Sr. and Laura Naudain, father and mothers place of birth is Middletown, Delaware.  Date of death is listed as 5 FEB 1930 with the date of burial 8 FEB 1930 in the St. Anne’s Cemetery in Middletown, Delaware.

[9]Louretta C Willits date of birth 9 NOV 1875; birth place is Dover, Delaware. Parents were William F Cooper and Delia E Babbitt. Date of death is listed as 23 JAN 1963 with the burial 26 JAN 1963 in the Old St. Anne’s Church Cemetery in Middletown, Delaware.

---

[1] 1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: United States of America Bureau of Census.  Roll: T624_1396; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0444; FHL microfilm: 1375409 

[2]1920 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Original data: United States of America Bureau of Census Philadelphia Ward 22, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1624; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 618; Image: 291 
[3]1940 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3704; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 51-563
[4] World War I Selective Service system Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014)Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005. Registration State Pennsylvania; Registration County: Philadelphia; Roll: 1907635; Draft Board: 15. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls imaged from Family History Library microfilm. 

[5] 1924 New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 3470; Line: 14; Page Number: 5

[6]1934 Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.  National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Manifests of Passengers Arriving at St. Albans, VT, District through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1895-1954; National Archives Microfilm Publication: M1464; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service

[7]1936 New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.  Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 5868; Line: 2; Page Number: 86 

[8]Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

[9]Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :accessed 27 March 2014) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Saturday Spotting - Lincolns Grandfather

Published in December of 1915 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

LINCOLN’S GRANDFATHER HERO OF REVOLUTION

Supposed Historical Discovery May Remove Family Mystery

Special to The Inquirer

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 25 – Was Abraham Lincoln’s grandfather a hero of the Revolutionary War?

Undoubted evidence tending to prove that such was true has been found. Its discovery may throw valuable light upon Lincoln’s ancestry, which has long been clouded in more or less of mystery.

     Mrs. E. S. Walker tells of records which apparently prove the authenticity of the war record of Lincoln’s paternal grandparent. 

Sunday's Cemetery - Cemetery Investigated

Published in December of 1890 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

CAMDEN’S BREEZY GOSSIP.

JOHNSON CEMETERY MYSTERY BEING THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.

An Artist’s Suicide – An Elopement and an Angry Mother’s Protest Against Her Daughter’s Marriage.

     Coroner Jefferis and his deputy, Richard W. Kerswell, of Camden, worked all day yesterday on the mysterious Johnson Cemetery case. County Detectives Gallagher and Warner were also busy.

     During the investigation Detective Gallagher discovered a clue which may lead to the identification of the man. He found that about a year ago a colored man named Polk, who worked for Farmer William H. Vanvance, of Moorestown, mysteriously disappeared. At the time it was rumored that he had been murdered. The detectives will follow out this clue to day. The Coroner’s jury will visit the cemetery to-day.

     Gotlieb Berger, a German living over the salon of Daniel Hurley, at Seventh and Mt. Vernon Streets, committed suicide yesterday by hanging. His body was found by Mrs. Hurley. Coroner Jefferis was notified, and ordered the remains removed to the morgue. Berger was an artist, and about 55 years of age. He has no relatives living in the country.

     Minor Rogers, of No. 335 North Front street, is missing and his wife believes he has eloped with an actress named Morgan. Rogers was employed as shipping clerk at Wanamaker’s and in March last became acquainted with Mrs. Morgan. On Thursday evening last he bought the woman to his home and as a result there was a lively time. Mrs. Rogers will bring suit for divorce.

     Coroner Jefferies yesterday held Switchman Nople in bail to await the action of the Coroner’s jury in the case of the West Jersey Railroad accident of Friday, in which Conductor Leap lost his life.

     While Miss Lizzie McClay, of Upland, Pa., and John Bramford, of Chester, Pa., were being married by ‘Squire Schmitz yesterday, the mother of the bride rushed into the office and demanded that the marriage be stopped. Her objections were founded on religious scruples. She was ejected and the ceremony finished.

     The contract for building the tomb for Walt Whitman has been awarded and work will be begun as soon as the weather will permit. The walls will be constructed of granite, after the plan of King Solomon’s Temple. It will be very plain, according to the ideas of the poet, and will be located in Hartleigh Cemetery, in a plot selected by the poet.

     The suit of the Sea Isle City Bank against the defunct Merchants’ National Bank, of Atlantic City, was begun before Judge Reed, in Camden, yesterday. The suit is to recover checks given by the officers of the Merchants’ Bank to the plaintiff. No decision was rendered.

     Detective James Henry yesterday arrived from Chicago with Herman Trimmer, who is wanted in Camden for forgery.