The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-11-01
OLD HOPE LODGE FARM.
AN OLD HISTORIC PROPERTY IN
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA
A Oaaint Mansion Containing Rare Old
Furniture and Many Rsiics-Closets
Enough to Satisfy Amy Housekeeper.
Dispute as TO Original Owner.

Furniture and Many Reiics-Cioset.
Enough to Satisfy Amy Housekeeper.
Dispute as To Original Owner.
In Whitemarsh, Montgomery county,
short distance from Fort Washington, and
only stones throw or two from the famous
old fort in which the American soldiery in
trenched themselves after their defeat at the
battle Of Germantown, stands a substantial
mansion, which is notable for its age, the
associations connected with il and the elegant
simplicity of its architecture. II stands
back from the Bethlehem pike several hun
dred yards, and is shaded by venerable white
pines horse cheStuuts and other trees, some
Of which are more than a century old.
II is an unusually large house with brick
front and an abundance Of large windows
over the caps Of which are pressed brick or
lamentations.
OLD TIME ARcHITECTURE.
The entrance is through a door Of more
than ordinarily large size, and, 10y means Of
soapstone steps in which are craven the in
itials Of the children Of the residents for more
than a hundred years back, and underneath a
portico supported 10y large columns, quantity
carved. The doorway enters upon hall forty
by twenty feet, which divides the house into
two equal parts, and leading therefrom are
many doors, with arched and keystoned tops
and columned sides. All the ceilings are
thirteen feet high The rooms are large but
an otherwise barnlike appearance is broken
los the numerous doors throughout the house
II seems rs though the owners had set them
wherever there was an available wall space
The greater part Of these doors open into
closets, SO large and 50 roomy as 10 be ample
10 hold bedroom suite and still leave space
enough To turn around. Every chamber has
at least two or three Of these wonderful
closets
Every room from floor 20 garret is furnish
ed with large old fashioned frcplaceS, the
mGntels and fronts Of which on the first floor
are Of black marble AMI the fronts Of those
on the second floor Of light blue tiles, on
which are cnameled curious figures The
main stairway leading from the hall 10 the
garret is wide enough for "A public hall, and
rises 10y easy flights Of broad, low steps from
story 10 story, aud Is inclosed, except on the
landings, where there are richly carved bal
ustrades. Besides this stairway there are
two others, one at each end Of the house
semi-concealcd, dark, uncanny, winding af
fairs, set in the partition walls, and leading
from the cellar % the garrets, and communi
eating with all the rooms in the house. One
of the garrcts is nearly 100 feet long and 20
feet wide and was fitted up i'm 1851 as "A lodge
room for the Free Masons, who in that year
split from the Germantown lodge, but was
never occupied by them, on account Of the
death Of the owner Of the house, who was
one Of the seccdcrs.
Instead Of rafters, the roof is supported 10y
heavy oak beams, on which are laid three
inch planks. Hidden away in the garrett
a. I 4 g.. l.. a
mcr owners. \ bundle Of war arrows, the
flint heads Of which are said 90 be poisoned,
taken from an Indian warrior supposed 10
have been one OF n band attached 10 the Brit
ish army; two bows that belonged also 20 an
Indian brave Of the past; ghastly collection
of human bones in box-bones that once
formed the skeleton of half grown boy;
also an immense palm leaf fan, used 10y serv-
ants more than - years ago 10 keep the flies
from the dining table Of Samuel Morris, one
Of the owner, Of the place.
There are conflicting stories as 10 who
erected the mansion. As n result, its exact
age is unknown, but it is agreed that it was
built not later than lii5. II is stated on the
one hand that the house was erected about
lt2l Toy Henry Hope, the first owner uf the
property, after whom the place was named
Hope Lodge Farm" thrcc-quarters Of a cen.
tury later, aud who received grant Of jO(
acres Of land from William Penn.
On the other hand, IL is claimed by the de
scendants Of Samuel Morris the sccOnG
owner. aud who was also the pos-eSsor Of n
large mill on the Wis.ahickou, near by, that
he was the builder anil TIL. claim seems 10
bc the better founded one Those who claim
Hope rs the builder ,ay that he was bach
elOr and that the bricks with which the front
Of the house was built came from England,
being brought over a, ballast Of "A ship The
wood work of the interior is also said 10y com
petent carpenters 10 have been imported IL
j. alsJ related that when the house was fin
ished lac gave "A grand house warming and n
reception 10 meet hi, intended bride and her
mother, invitations having been issued 10
all the leading families tor miles around.
During the reception, however IL is said he
drank too much wine and made Use of an Of
fensive remark 90 bis bctrothed, which 50
angercd her that She Cancelled the engage
ment This, IL /, related, 50 prcyed on Hopes
mind that shortly after be sold the property
to Samuel Morris.
Samuel Morris was the eldest son of Su-
sanna Morris, the eldest daughter Of Robert
and Susanna Heath, who came 10 Philadel-
phia with William Penn in l1Ol Susanna
Morris was a noted minister # the Society Il
Friends, who made three journeys 10 Eng
land 10 preach during ono II which, in 1871,
she was shipvreckel. notwithstanding that
she was warned beforehand, IL j. related, 10y
three successive dreams Of the coming catas-
trophe Samuel Morris, like most Of the
Friends ~ that time, IN that section, was
strong Eoyalist, even going 80 far, IL Is said,
a. 20 drive his cattle % Philadelphia for the
Use 81 the British soIdicry after the battle %
Germantown. rather than let the Americans
have them. With him on the farm resided
niece. Annie Evans who fell in love with aud
married Col Alexander Anderson, a young
American soldier II the revolution, in spite
Of the violent opposition Of her uncle
On the death II Samuel Morris the prop
crty came into the possession uf Joshua Nor
rs, a brother Of Samuel Morris aud by him
il was -oii 10 William West. he died in
Ire April Il, l1s4. the executors granted
the premises 20 John Wilcox and JosAua I'm
lon. 20 the u-e ~ james HoratiO Watmouyh
for life lie was general In the revolution
airy army. anl was grandfather o. the wife
Of Gen. Russell b. TLayer. After residing
on the property for some years be rented IL
b. the well known Steel family, of German