Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-26
THE HOME OF WILLIAM PENN.

au,touasies or the Lower Coio-
mai Resuaius-some Interesting Rent
piscenees.
OF the multitudes who are rushed
across the Delaware on express trans,
writes Bristol (Pa.) correspondent to
the New York Post, few have taken
time to aoquaint themselves with this
portion Of the historic and beautiful
river. We have not here, indeed, at
this point, midway between Trenton
and Philadelphia, the bold scenery
which charscterizes the upper reaches
Of the river, but there is picturesque
beauty in the broad stream as it flows
between these grassy and wooded
sloping banks that satisfies the eye
with the feeling Of peace and rest.
Some Of the oldest towns on the At
lantic seaboard are doing away their
sluggish life on these waters. This
borough of Bristol has seen more than
two centuries roll slowly away since
the beginning of its settlement. twas
originally known as Buckingham,
name which survives in part the name
Of the county-Bucks. The earliest
records Of the town are lost, but it is
known to have been chartered as a
borough by George H., and is the
second chartered borough in the
State Of Pennsylvania. 1t was made
d" market town" by especial act
in 1897, and the county-seat in lTO5,
though the courts were long ago re-
moved to more central location at
Doylestown. There are here some
traces remaining OF the first days of the
republic. and even'of colonial times. in
the narrow and irregular streets, the
quaint houses, some Of them with CHM
neys at the gable-end running up on
the outside, and in the family heir
looms, which are treasured in
these antique dwellings by de-
scendants of the first settlers. A
large part of Bristol is built of brick,
giving the old town substantial and
comfortable appearance and well-laid
brick sidewalks show how closely the
pattern set by Philadelphia has been
followed. The place enjoys gas, and
endures the water Of the Delaware,
pumped up and distributed from a huge
d" stand-pipe" to all parts of the Dor
ough. a ferry, running since 1909,
forms connection with Burlington. y.
j.. Bristol's older sister. on the oppo-
site shore. Mill street, the first high
way of the borough, has many old bus-
ness-houses on it. Radcliff street,
stretching through its vista Of shade
trees for a long distance slong the
rivers bank, is lined with fine man
sions, some Of them having beautiful
grounds, and all commanding views Of
the cleaning Delaware.
Bath Springs, having waters strongly
impregn&ted with iron, are on the west
ern edge of the borough. They we're
celebrated for their medicinal proper
lies as early as l722. and until the
present year have been a noted resort.
The proprietor died year ago, and ttc
estate, with its neglected and some
what dilapidated great house, is now
rented to family who have no desire
to ran a hotel, or are conscious OF their
ignorance Of that high art.
The point Of most interest to the an
tiquary is Pennsburg Manor. the spot
where stood the mansion erected and
occupied by William Penn. This his
torical locality is at the distance of six
miles from Bristol, up the Delaware.
The estate originally consisted Gf G,j5S
acres, bounded by Welcome creek and
Governors creek. A tract Of 300
acres, including the site of the home
stead, is now owned as a farm
by William Penn Grocer. lie in
herits it from his grandfather,
Robert Grocer. who bought it in 1909 Of
William Bell, who, for E2 500 purchased
it of Richard Penn, son Of the great
founder. Many years ago Mr.. W. j.
Buck, visiting the place, noted the fact
that nine gnsrled cherry-trees were then
standing as the remains Of PENIS
cherry hedge along the lane, and Mr..
Buck then estimated them to be 10
years old. Mr. Grocer remembers fif-
teen trees. One poor stump is all that
is now left, and this relic is fast crumb-
ling into dust. The we'll that belonged
to the old mansion still gives its pure
water to the thirsty or curious way
farer.
The manOr-house was Of brick, anl
might possibly have been preserved ill
now had not neglected water-tank on
the roof helped by its leakage the pro-
cess Of decay. The only yestigeS OF the
building are found in the old bricks.
which pave the cellar-hoor Of the pre-
sent farmhouse, and in a piece Of
carving from the woodwork of the an
cient doOr-frame Of demolished man
sion. This, with a bust of Penn, carved
not unskilfully by some unknown hand
from the wood Of one OF the cherry
trees which Penn brought from England,
is shown by Dir. Grocer.
The ancient house was sixty feet long
and forty feet deep. with offices aud
adjoining buildings. 1t was begun in
1852, Immediately upon PENIS arrival,
and was constructed in the best style of
the day, costing some $1,000, and con-
Stunning four or five years in its erection.
With its stately porch in front and
rear, and wide hall running through il,
and spacious apartments, it presented
an appearance Of elegance unusual to
the new world. There was stabling
for twelve horses, and it was not for
gotten to provide brew-house in which
to brew ale for the household.
A beautiful garden was laid out be-
tween the house and the river. and a
broad shady walk added to the grace Of
these elegant grounds. In the years
100 and l10l the founder lived here
in the style usual to men of his
rank in colonial times. entertain
ing frequent guests with liberal hos
pitality. The Indians here held con-
ference with the distinguished friend.
and on one occasion he gave a feast
under the poplars at the manor to his
Indian visitors, at which time one hun