The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1923-10-19
Bucks Historians
Meet in Neso HOPE

Historic New Hope played an
meeting of the Bucks County His
toical Society, held in the library
rooms in the Solebury Bank Build
ing, New Hope.
Warren S. Ely, in his address,
said that early in the 18th century
New Hope was relatively much
more important place than il is
today, being one of the ferries, and
the Pennsylvania terminus of the
York road, which was a main high
way between New York and Phila-
delphia. The York road was not
originally laid out to reach New
Hope, but was intended to go to
Readings Ferry, or what is now
Stockton-Center Bridge. When this
road was completed it was found
that the New Jersey people had
built their road to Wells Ferry
or what is now Eambertville- New
Hope. and a branch was constructed
from what is now Lalfaska to the
Delaware River at New Hope.
Another boom hit New Hope about
1900 when William Maris started
bank here and was one of the pro-
moters of IA bridge across the river.
Colonel Henry D. Paxson, in his
talk, related the writing Of a letter
by Samuel ID. lngham Secretary Of
the Treasury of the United States
under President .Jackson) to Henry
Todd, member of the House of Rep
rcsentatiVes, Lancaster, introducing
Benjamin Parry who was the bearer
of Il petition for permission to erect
a toll bridge over the Delaware be-
tween New Hope and Lambertville.
DIR. b. f. Fackenthal Jr., vice
president of the society, who pre-
sided over the meeting, told of the
water wheel at the Union Mill, New
Hope, which is used TO lift water
from the river to the canal, the
current driving the wheel and lift
ing the water at the same time.
Mr., Ely stated that tests showed
that the flow of Ingham Spring was
100000 gallons per day, never
varying summer or winter Along
this stream were located seven mills
receiving power from it.
He said that the Durham boat
received its name from Robert Dur
ham, and further stated that the
society has a pamphlet telling of
the building and using of so-ealled
Durham boats on the Fox River, in
Wisconsin.
Elijah J. Case, of Frenchtown., N.
j., told Of operating RATS Of lum-
Der on the Delaware River, and how
he learned all the channels between
Easton and the mills.
Dir. Henry c. Mercer read a most
interesting paper on "The Dating Of
Old Houses" and Colonel paxson
read a paper on Matthias Hutchin-
son, Associate Judge Of the County
Courts"
Commander r. c. IIolcombe, q.
S. NJ, as the result of search of
the archives Of England, Pennsyl-
yania and Bucks County, presented
much interesting information con
corning the old Heath Mill" New
Hope In addition TO the history Of
the mill he gave much genealogical
history concerning the families of
several owners.
William Penn sold tract Of 1000
acres of land, in 1851, which includ-
ed New Hope and vicinity. This
tract was later sold by Thomas
Woolrich, the purchaser, to his bro
ther-in-law, Robert Heath, in 100,
who, because Of PENIS desire to
have grist mill for the use of the
people of that vicinity. granted a
patent to Heath for the exclusive
use of the water Of the Great ling
ham, Spring stream Heath built
the mill in 1902 and called it the
Team mill, after the English town
ship in which he lived. Robert Heath
died in ITO and bequeathed the mill
Continued on last page.)