Having travelled through the course marked out for myself in the plan of the book, I find a little bundle of forlorn items upon my hands, which, though not entirely deficient in interest, failed of securing for themselves a lodgment by the way; and in order that they may not be utterly lost, I have concluded to give them a chapter by themselves.
Old Berks was erected into a county, and Reading established as the county-seat, in the year of grace one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two. The first Deed was recorded in the office, November the seventeenth, and the first Will, November the twenty-ninth of that year; and to complete the honors of the new county, a lawsuit was instituted about the same time.
Here follow some records of the doings of His Majesty George the Third's Justices of the peace.
"Berks County.
Henry Christ
Seal
To one of ye Constables of Reading.
Subpoena Philip Adam Klauser and Joseph Sollenberger of ye township of Bern, so that they be and appear before me and Wm. Reeser, on ye first day of September next at one of the clock in ye afternoon, then and there to give evidence in a certain dispute now depending before us and undetermined, between ye Lutheran and Reformed Congregations about Sanct. Michael's Church.—Hereof you are not to fail at your peril.
Given under my hand and seal at Reading ye 27th day of August 1770.
Henry Christ
"Berks ss.
L. S.
Apprehend George Geisler, and bring him immediately before me, or the next Justice to ansr unto such mattrs and things, as on his Majesty's behalf shall be objected against him by Catharine Reese; hereof fail not.—
Given undr my hand and seal, Decr ye 26th 1770.
James Diemer
To Samuel Jackson, Constable.
That is the true magisterial style, and I have no doubt that between the Justice and Catharine Reese, poor George Geisler had a hard time of it.
The following documents are interesting as illustrative of the times.
"Ann appraisement of the goods late the property of Wm. Kees, taken in execution—by Samuel Jackson, Constable.
| One gunn, 15s | £0 15s 0d |
| One pair of Leather Breeches 15s | £0 15s 0d |
| £1 10s 0d |
But see how they stript Samuel Dehart of the comforts of life.
"A list of the goods taken in execution from Samuel Dehart by the Constable, and appraised by us the subscribers as follows. Amity August 24th 1770, to wit—
| One coat 30s | £1 10s 0d |
| One Jacket & trowsers 12s | 0 12 0 |
| One rugg 5s | 0 5 0 |
| One pillow 2s | 0 2 0 |
| £2 9 0 |
I am not quite sure that Mr. Dehart would congratulate himself that his body was left.
A body of Hessian prisoners captured at Trenton in 1776, together with many British, and the principal Scotch Royalists subdued and taken in North Carolina, were brought to Reading, and stationed in a grove on the bank of the river Schuylkill, in the south part of the borough. In the fall of the same year they were removed to the hill, east of the town, which is called the "Hessian camp" to this day. There they remained some time, and built themselves Huts in regular camp order, the greater part of which may be seen at the present day.
The oldest houses standing in the borough are, the house of Widow Graeff, No. 134 East Penn Street, formerly kept as a tavern; the house of Daniel Graeff, No. 133 East Penn Street, No. 158 in 8th st., between Penn and Washington, and the Spring Garden house.
The corner house occupied by Keim and Stichter, was built in the year 1755, by Conrad Weiser the Indian Interpreter and Agent for Government, and was for many years occupied as a wigwam, where many tribes met for treaty, &c.
The first coal stove was introduced into use in Reading in 1812, by William Stahle. And the first Stone coal was brought into town about the same time by Marks John Biddle, Esq.
Reading has, on two or three occasions, sustained considerable damage from the freshets in the river Schuylkill. The most remarkable freshets were in the years, 1786, 1822, 1839 and 1841. The following statement of their comparative height, was made out by Peter Strohecker.
The freshet on the 21st of February, 1822, was six feet ten inches less than in 1786; January 25, 1839, it was four feet 2 1/4 inches less than in 1786; January 8, 1841, it was 1 foot 6 inches less than in 1786. In 1839, it was two feet 6 inches higher than in 1822; in 1841, it was 2 feet 8 1/4 inches higher than in 1839, taken from marks made in Messersmith's (now B. Keim's) fulling mill.
In 1841, the river rose 19 feet 1 1/4 inches above low water mark; in 1786, 20 feet 7 1/4 inches.
Friendly reader, my task is done—and thine also, if thou hast read faithfully; if not, a second perusal is modestly recommended: And now, from famine, floods, and folly, may Providence and prudence preserve thee!
Submitted by: Nancy.
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