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TRANSCRIPT
Asher “Piney” Earp
By Carol Barclay Clarke
Asher Earp’s death on June 4, 1909 was front page news in his adopted
town of Norristown, Pennsylvania. i The story of his life from the pine
forests of Maryland to the bustling urban borough in Pennsylvania is a
chronicle of the times.
Asher Earp was born in Maryland in February 7, 1834. His parents
were Asher Earp, Sr. and Matilda Adams Earp. Asher, Sr. and Matilda
had six boys and one girl:ii
James (September 20, 1829 – ?)
Benjamin F. ( February 10, 1831 – ?)
Sarah Ann (November 22, 1832 – ?)
Asher, Jr. ( February 7, 1834 – June 4, 1909)
Lewis (April 12, 1835 – June 24, 1849)
John Wesley (1839 - ?)
Francis Asbury (1842 – December 13, 1857)
The first record of Asher that I have discovered is his baptism at
Baltimore’s Light Street Methodist Church on September 9, 1839. iii
Asher, Sr. and Matilda Adams married at the Light Street Methodist
Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The ceremony was performed by
Samuel Brison on September 14, 1828.iv Reverend Brison also married
the following Earps: Jonathan, 1824; Jemina, 1822; Joseph, 1824, and
Susan, 1834.v
Built in about 1796, the Light Street Methodist Church housed the
Lovely Lane Methodist congregation, replacing two previous Lovely Lane
meeting houses.vi Lovely Lane meeting houses are notable because they
were the founding churches of American Methodism. The original Lovely
Lane Chapel was built in 1774. In 1784, the Chapel hosted the
Christmas Conference, which was the birth of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.vii
The Light Street Church, located at the southwest corner of Light
Street and Wine Alley, was described as a “meeting house of spacious
simplicity. It was opposite the fleshpots of the Fountain Inn. Southern
and Union factions of the Methodist conference split into two separate
entities in this building during the opening months of the Civil War”viii
Light Street Methodist Church
It appears that Asher grew up in a family strongly rooted in their
Methodist beliefs. His brother John Wesley Earp b. 1839 was named
for the founder of Methodism. Brother Francis Asbury Earp (1842 –
1857) was named for the first leader of the American Methodist
Church, Francis Asbury. Francis Asbury was made leader of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States after a meeting of
more than sixty preachers. Additionally, the records of the Lovely Lane
Church have James, Benjamin, Sarah Ann and Lewis baptized with Asher
on September 9, 1839 by the Reverend Isaac P. Cook.
The 1840 Census finds the family of Asher Earp in Anne Arundel
County, Maryland.ix This census does not give names and specific ages
for each household resident, but the general breakdowns are listed
below. (I have included the probable family members beside each age
listing. The date of the Census is not clear, so the ages are based only
on the year of birth and year of Census. The age could be off if the
birthday did not precede the census.)
Males
20 – 30 one (Asher, Sr)
10 – 15 one (James, 11)
5 – 10 two (Benjamin 9, Asher 6)
0 - 5 two (Lewis 5, John Wesley 1)
Females
20 – 30 one (Matilda)
5 – 10 one (Sarah Ann 8)
The Census indicates that four of the household members were engaged
in manufacture and trade. Unfortunately, there is no indication which
family members were so employed. It is reasonable, however, to
assume that Asher, Sr. and James were among the employed. If the
oldest family members were included, then Matilda and Sarah Ann would
make the other two. If the women were not working then Asher, Jr.
and Benjamin would be the next likely members of the family to be
working. It is interesting to note that the Methodist church had female
preachers as early as the time of John Wesley. Perhaps that would
indicate less reluctance for the women in the household to be working.
According to “The James Earp Family of Maryland by Charles Albert
Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,” Asher, Sr. went into the iron
business, like his brothers. “In the period from 1836 to 1841, the
Anne Arundel County land deeds include numerous transactions involving
Asher Earp. He bought part of the tracts known as “Hanover” and
“Hockley” which were near Rockburn, sold a lot in Elk Ridge, bounded by
the Melville Methodist Church cemetery and the Baltimore and Ohio RR.
The “Hockley” transactions were in the Howard District of Anne Arundel
County, which later became Howard County.” x
According to the Howard County web page,” Elkridge, located in the
eastern most tip of Howard County, is probably the oldest settlement in
the county. Elk Ridge Landing referred to the shipping docks and
concentrations of population along the Patapsco River (navigable into the
1800’s), while Elk Ridge referred to a ridge line stretching west to
Doughoregan Manor and south to Oakland Mills.
Planters brought their tobacco “hogsheads” (large barrels weighing as
much as 900 pounds when filled) to the landing to load them aboard
large sea vessels bound for England. The farmer would pack his crop
into the hogshead and roll them with the help of mules or oxen to the
wharves at the landing.
Second in importance to tobacco at Elk Ridge was the iron industry.
When Captain John Smith first ventured up the Chesapeake Bay and the
Patapsco River in 1608, he noted the red clay in the hills along the
river. The colonial province’s assembly passed an act in 1719 to
encourage iron manufacturing.
Caleb Dorsey began to mine ore along the Patapsco and was owner of Elk
Ridge Furnace established in 1750. He helped establish the port of Elk
Ridge to ship his products to England. With this, Elk Ridge Landing
became second only to Annapolis among Anne Arundel County seaports in
the mid – 1700s.
The iron industry declined by the mid- 1800s due to an inconsistency in
U.S. tariff’s and competition abroad. After the iron works closed, the
land along Deep Run spawned a grove of willows, which later provided a
resource for another industry. The willow canes were harvested and
woven into baskets in the early 1900s.” xi
Life for the family changed dramatically in September, 1842, when
Ashur Earp, Sr. died at the probable age of 47. Asher, Sr. left his
wife Matilda and the seven children ranging from James, who would turn
13 within weeks of his father’s death to Francis Asbury who was born in
1842.xii Asher, Jr. was eight years old. It is not known where Asher,
Sr. is buried, but a likely choice is the Melville Methodist Church in Elk
Ridge, Maryland. There are many Earps in the cemetery at the church,
although no grave is marked for Asher.
POSSIBLE ADDITION – DISCUSSION OF MELVILLE METHODIST
CHURCH
Asher Senior left no will, but did leave at least one debt. In 1844,
Eliphalet Parsonsxiii filed a lawsuit against Matilda and the children for
payment of that debt.
DETAIL LAWSUIT
Matilda married Nathaniel Montell on September 5, 1849 in Baltimore. xiv
The 1850 Census finds Matilda living in the first district of Baltimore
County with her new husbandxv. I would note that the Census indicates
Matilda is married to Samuel Markle, however, subsequent years make it
clear that the name was Montell. Household residents on September 10,
1850 were listed as:
Samuel Markle, 39, Puddler
Matilda, 38
James Earps, 20, Puddler
Benj. 18, Nailer
Sarah, 17,
Ashe, 15
John, 11
Francis, 8
Columbus Markle, 4 months
A puddler is an iron worker. “Samuel” was from Pennsylvania, the
remaining household members were from Maryland.
There is an interesting twist in the 1850 Census, raising questions about
the family and how they were adjusting to the loss of Asher, Sr. In
1840, the next household in the Census enumeration belonged to
Benjamin Walters. In 1850, Benjamin Walters is still in Anne Arundel
County, in the Howard District (the Howard District would later become
Howard County). When the Census was conducted on August 1, 1850
residents of his household were listed as:xvi
Benjamin Walters, 39, Lawyer
Christina Walters, 38
Virginia Walters, 12
Joseph Walters, 10
Benjamin Walters, 8
Agnes Walters, 6
William Walters, 4
Benjamin Earp, 17, nailer
Sarah A. Earp, 16
The listing of Benjamin and Sarah with the Walter’s family presents
several possible scenarios. It appears that Benjamin was employed. In
fact, it is likely that he had been employed for more than 10 years,
even though he was only 17. Perhaps he and Sarah stayed in Anne
Arundel County due to employment. It is possible that Matilda included
them in the Census enumeration, even though they were living with the
Walters family. Another scenario is that there is a familial connection
with the Walters. I have not found any evidence of this. Finally, it is
possible that Benjamin and Sarah were simply counted twice because
they were in each location during the enumeration.
There is no specific evidence of when Asher left Maryland for
Norristown, Pennsylvania. However, at the time of his death, the
newspaper indicated he had been in Norristown for about 60 years. If
that is accurate, he must have begun his journey in the early part of
the 1850’s.xvii
RESEARCH NORRISTOWN DIRECTORIES TO DETERMINE WHEN
ARRIVED
For an iron worker, Norristown, Pennsylvania was a logical destination.
Located about sixteen miles northwest of the City of Philadelphia,
Norristown is located on the east side of the Schuylkill River. About
two square miles in size, the borough has about two miles of frontage on
the Schuylkill River. Clearly, this river access led to its rise as a
manufacturing center.xviii
Norristown saw a great deal of growth in the 19th century. Its
population was reported as 827 in 1820. This had grown to 2,937 in
1850 and 6,024 in 1860.
Asher’s obituary indicates that he was employed at the mill owned by
James Hooven. The Norristown Iron Works was the largest industry in
Norristown, covering four acres of ground fronting four hundred feet on
Washington Street, and running back thence to the river Schuylkill. It
had its origin in 1846, the pioneers being Moore & Hooven. In 1854,
Mr.Moore retired, leaving the business in the hands Mr. Hooven, who
has increased the productive capacity of the mill from two thousand five
hundred to five thousand tons of finished work per annum. In 1870 he
erected a blast furnace in connection with the rolling-mill, and 1878
erected mills for the manufacturer of wrought-iron pipe. The power is
derived from seven engines and twenty-two boilers, of combined power
of five hundred horses There are six double puddling and three heating
furnaces. Two hundred and fifty are employed in the works; the payroll
amount to fivet housand dollars a week, and the value of the property is
estimated at five hundred and five thousand dollars.
DISCUSS INDUSTRY and HISTORY of Norristown.
REWORK THIS SECTION
REVIEW BEAN’S HISTORY
Asher married Mary Jones on January 14, 1856. Reverend J. F.
Meredith performed the wedding ceremony.xix At the time of their
marriage, Asher was 22 years old, while Mary was 18. Reverend
Meredith was the first pastor of the Oak Street Methodist Episcopal
Church. The congregation was organized in 1854 and its building was
completed in 1855. There was a “brick edifice” and a “neat
parsonage.”xx
Mary’s family was from Wales. Her parents were Sarah
Pritchett/Pritchard Jones and Daniel/Thomas Jones.xxi She was born at
sea, en route from Wales, June 3, 1837. xxii Mary and Asher had at
least one thing in common, both of them had lost their fathers.
DISCUSSION OF JONES FAMILY
The Earp family began to grow with the birth of their first daughter,
Sarah Matilda Earp on September 16, 1857. Sarah Matilda was named
for her grandmothers, Sarah Jones and Matilda Adams Earp Montell.
It may have been a bittersweet time for Asher, as his mother Matilda
died September 12, 1857, just four days before the birth of his
daughter.xxiii Their second daughter, Clara, was born December 11,
1859.
June 23, 1860, the Earp household was enumerated for the 1860
Census.xxiv Household residents in Norristown, Montgomery County were:
Ashe Erp, 25, Pudler
Mary Erp, 22
Sarah Erp, 2
Clara, 6 months
Sarah Jones, 52,laborer, England
Catharine Jones, 18
Daniel Jones, 16, Nail cutter
Job Jones, 12
Jepe Keeler, 33, cooper
Sarah Jones, was Mary’s mother; Catherine, Daniel and Job were
Mary’s sister and brothers. The Census called Sarah Jones, her
children and Keeler a separate family, although living in the same home.
Both Asher and Sarah reported personal estates valued at $100.
Throughout the remainder of their lives, the members of the extended
family would live together at various times.
As the young family with two daughters continued to build their lives,
the nation was faced with its greatest crisis – the Civil War. The
Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861. Eight
days after Abraham Lincoln’s March 4, 1861 inauguration, Confederate
forces opened fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Robert E. Lee was
offered the command of the Union Army on April 15, 1861, the same
day President Lincoln called for 75,000 militiamen. Five days later, Lee
resigned from the Union Army and accepted the command of the forces
of Virginia. Southern states began seceding from the Union. July 4,
1861, Congress called for a force of 500,000 men. That summer, the
Union was defeated in battles at Bull Run, Big Bethel, Wilson’s Creek
and Lexington, Missouri.xxv
Asher’s younger brother John Wesley Earp answered the call of his
nation and enrolled in the Union Army September 16, 1861 at
Norristown. One month later on October 16 he mustered in as a private
at Harrisburg. His records indicate he was 19 at the time of
enlistment. (My records place him at 21) xxvi John was described as 5
feet, 6 inches tall. He had blue eyes, a florid complexion and dark
hair. Later in life, when he was requesting a pension in 1895 he was
116 pounds.xxvii
I have not found John Wesley in the 1860 Census. However, his
enlistment from Norristown makes it likely to presume that he was in
close contact with his older brother Asher, perhaps even being a part of
the family for a while. Or, perhaps, they were working together as
John was a puddler when he entered the service.
John Wesley Earp served in the Band for Company F, the 51st
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged near Culpepper,
Virginia August 17, 1862. Fortuitously, John Wesley was discharged just
two weeks before the second battle of Bull Run in Virginia.xxviii
Asher and Mary’s third daughter, Katherine was born July 12, 1862.xxix
Early in the summer of 1863, there was heightened concern that the
border states would be invaded by Confederate forces. Pennsylvania
Governor Curtin called for volunteers to serve at the pleasure of the
President.
”Slow to believe that their homes were really endangered, the
greatly reduced number of men available for military service
hesitated to respond. On June 12, the governor published the
notice that the troops requested would be mustered into the
service of the United States for six months, or during the
existing emergency, as they should themselves elect.
In a short time eight regiments were mustered in for the
"emergency" and became the 20th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 28th, 30th,
31st and 33rd emergency regiments. Other companies and
organizations volunteered their services and need for them was
soon found.
The Confederates had occupied Chambersburg and Gettysburg and
when it was discovered that the main body of their forces had
actually crossed the Potomac, another proclamation was issued
by Gov. Curtin on June 26, calling for 60,000 men at once to be
mustered into the state service for a term of 90 days and to be
discharged as soon as the danger was over.”xxx
It appears that 29 year old Asher Earp responded to this call for
service. Asher and his 19 year old brother-in-law Daniel Jones enrolled
in the service of the Union on June 19, 1863 at Norristown. The next
day, they mustered in as privates with Company H, 34th Regiment in
Reading, Pennsylvania.xxxi
To this urgent message twenty-eight regiments responded and were
organized in the two departments previously mentioned, at
Huntingdon, Reading, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. A force
under Gen. Knipe approached Chambersburg, but found it in the
hands of the enemy and was obliged to retire gradually before
the advance of Johnson's division of Ewell's corps.
The Confederates reached Oyster Point, but were withdrawn to
Gettysburg on account of the advance of the Army of the Potomac
and within a few days was fought the battle of Gettysburg.
A portion of the militia joined the Army of the Potomac in
Maryland after the battle, but were soon afterward returned to
Harrisburg.
The emergency regiments were mustered out soon after the battle
of Gettysburg, the regiments of militia a little later, various
duties within the state requiring their services for a short
time.
Some were employed at Gettysburg, some at Philadelphia in
preserving order, and at other points they rendered valuable
service.xxxii
Asher and Daniel Jones were mustered out of the service on August 10,
1863 having served for forty-two days. xxxiii
Asher’s brother James also served in the Union Forces for a short
period of time. According to his Civil War Service Record, James Earp
was a member of Battery B, Maryland Light Artillery. He was 33 when
he enlisted on June 29, 1863 in Baltimore. James was discharged from
the service on January 16, 1864. James was described as being 5 feet
10 and 3/4 inches tall, with hazel eyes, dark complexion, and iron gray
hair. xxxiv
May, 1865 Asher Earp was assessed a five-percent tax on his income of
$210.00 under the Excise laws of the United States. His tax was
$10.80.xxxv
In May, 1866, Asher Earp’s tax liability was reduced to $2.40, based
on his income of $48.xxxvi
As the war ended, the Earp family continued to grow. Ira Grant Earp
was born April 5, 1865. It may be that Ira’s middle name was in honor
of General Grant. Tragically, Ira died August 17, 1869 at the age of
four.
Emma Earp joined the family as the fourth daughter on November 21,
1867. Elizabeth Mary Earp was born March 9, 1870.xxxvii
The 1870 Census confirmed the growth of the family. The residents of
the household on July 6, 1870 were:
Esher Erp, 36, pudler
Mary, 32
Matilda, 12
Clara, 10
Kate, 7
Emma, 2
Mary Elizabeth, 2 months
Sarah Jones, 61, Wales
Kate, 29, works in woolen mill
Job 22, works in Rolling Mill
The amount of information available from the 1860 Census increased
dramatically from the simple enumerations prior to 1850. With this
Census we learned that Asher had real estate valued at $1,600 and
other assets worth $300. This is also the first public indication I have
found that Mary Jones Earp was born at sea. The Census also indicates
that Mary could neither read nor write. Her mother and siblings were
reported as being able to read, but not able to write. Matilda, Clara
and Kate all attended school during the year. xxxviii
LOCATION OF SIBLINGS IN 1870
A second son, Franklin was born October 6, 1872. He died May 5,
1874. A third son, Raymond was born August 15, 1876. As did his
brothers, Raymond also died as a child. He was four years old when he
died October 20, 1879. xxxix
The sixth daughter, Edith Earp, was born July 31, 1879 and completed
the Earp family. xl
By 1880, only Asher, Mary and their daughters were living at the home
at 521 Barbadoes Street, Norristown, PA. The residents were:
Asher Earp, 45, Works in Rolling Mill
Mary Earp, 42, Keeping House
Matilda Earp, 22, Works in Tacks Factory
Clara Earp, 20, Works in Tacks Factory
Kate Earp, 17, Works in Cotton Mill
Emma Earp, 12, Apprenticed to Dressmaking
Elizabeth Earp, 9
Edith Earp, 10 months
Asher had been unemployed three months during the past year. Matilda
and Clara had each been unemployed for six months during the past
year. xli
The Earp girls were able to visit their grandmother Sarah quite easily,
because she lived only a few houses away. Living with Sarah, were
Mary’s sister Catherine and her brothers Job and Daniel. Also living in
the house were Daniel’s sons, Edward and Job. Daniel’s wife, Lizzie,
died January 10, 1873. xlii
The Census listed for the Jones household is:
Sarah Jones, 70, keeping house, Wales/Wales/Wales
Job Jones, 30, works in rolling mill, PA/Wales/Wales
Catherine Jones, 28, PA/Wales/Wales
Daniel Jones, 33, laborer, PA/Wales/Wales
Edward Jones, 12, gson, Pa/Pa/PA
Job Jones, 7, gson, Pa/PA/PA
Job was unemployed for eight months in the year preceding the Census
on June 1, 1880. xliii
At this point, I do not know when the families moved to Barbadoes
Street. However, even though both homes have been razed, we can get
a pretty good idea of what the homes looked like. An examination of
the Montgomery County Assessment data, shows that 521 Barbadoes is
now owned by the Borough of Norristown. The lot has 16 front feet
and is 2,880 sq. feet. xliv 521 seems to be a bit larger than the other
lots on the block which generally measure 13 front feet and 1,363
square feet. The block is made up of brick row homes constructed in
1825. For example, 518 Barbadoes has 4 bedrooms, 1 bath and is 2.5
stories. There is 1,177 square feet of living area.xlv Imagine what it
must have been like for a family of eight – including six daughters!
AUNT MARGARET DIARY REFERENCE TO GARRET
Clara Earp married William H. Hallman on the evening of October 26,
1881. The marriage was performed by Rev. M.A. Day at the Methodist
Episcopal Parsonage.xlvi
Sarah Matilda Earp married William Daniel Clarke on February 2, 1886.
She married at her family home at 521 Barbadoes Street in Norristown.
William Daniel was the son of William Green Clarke and Margaret
Elizabeth Milstead Clarke.
Like Asher Earp, William Green Clarke came to Norristown from
Maryland. William Green Clarke was from Laurel, Maryland. He came
to Norristown with his family during the 1870s. In 1880 the Clarke
family lived on Moore Street. Both William Green and William Daniel
worked in a cotton mill.xlvii
Asher and Mary became grandparents on November 21, 1886 with the
birth of Mary Milstead Clarke. Asher was 52, Mary was 49. xlviii
The year was not without sadness, however. Mary’s mother, Sarah
Jones, died in 1886. She is buried at Montgomery Cemetery, Lot C-
43. The marker is inscribed Sara Jones, 1810 – 1886.xlix
INSERT PHOTO OF SARA GRAVE
Daughter Kate Earp married John Gehringer on December 18, 1888 at
Mount Kirk Manse. The wedding was performed by Rev. H.
Rodenbough.l
Unfortunately for the chroniclers of family history, the Census from
1890 was largely lost in a fire. A good substitute, however, are City
Directories.
The Directories from Norristown give a good indication that the Earp
household was crowded. The 1888-90 Directory has the following listed
for the home at 521 Barbadoes:
Asher Earp, hammerman
Emma Earp, dressmaker
Ambrose Famous, carder
Edward Jones, catcherli
Edward is likely Mary’s nephew. He would have been in his early
twenties. He lived with Sarah Jones in 1880.
Ambrose Famous was the husband of Emma Earp. They married in
1888. Their first two children were born during this period. Carl W.
Famous was born December 30, 1888; he died July 8, 1889. Hazel
Famous was born October 13, 1890 and died February 27, 1891. Both
are buried at Montgomery Cemetery in Lot R-164.lii
The 1892,1893 Directory shows some changes in the household listing.
Asher Earp, hammerman
Lizzie M. Earp, tack packer
Ambrose Earp, carder
Edward Jones, catcher
Job Jones, barberliii
Of course, Mary Jones Earp was a household resident during this
period. It is also probable that Lizzie (Elizabeth Mary) also resided
with her parents during this time. She never married and does not have
another listing in the Directories. It may be that she was not employed
during 1888- 91.
The Famous family grew in October 1892 with the birth of daughter
Edith Miriam Famous.liv
Asher Earp was called to serve on the October 14, 1895 Traverse
Jury.lv
The century began on a sad note for the Earp family. Mary Jones Earp
died February 15, 1900 of diabetes. She was buried at Montgomery
Cemetery on February 19, 1900.lvi
INSERT GRAVESTONE OF MARY
June 2, 1900, the residents of 521 Barbadoes Street included:
Asher Earp, 66, Clerk of Works
Mary E. 30, Tack Packer
Edith M.20, Tack Packer
Catherine Jones, 58, Housekeeper
Job Jones, 52lvii
Although Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) was the only daughter at home, the
others were not far away. Sarah Matilda and her family lived at 501
Barbadoes Street. Emma and her family were also in the 500 block of
Barbadoes.
DETAIL LOCATION OF OTHER DAUGHTERS AND PROXIMITY TO
EARP HOUSEHOLD
The 1900-1902 Montgomery County Directory has a listing for Asher
Earp, puddler, 521 Barbadoes. (p.14)
Asher T. Earp died at his residence, on June 4, 1909. The account in
the paper read:
Asher T. Earp, aged 75 years, died yesterday at his residence,
No. 521 Barbadoes Street. Deceased had been in poor health for
a number of months. Death was due to Bright’s disease. Mr.
Earp had been clerk of the borough markets for a number of
years. He was compelled to resign less than a year ago, owing to
poor health.
Deceased was born among the pines of Maryland and for that
reason his friends and acquaintances nicknamed him “Piney”. He
came to this town about sixty years ago and for a long time he
was employed at Hooven’s rolling mills, being in charge of the large
hammer.
Mr. Earp is survived by six daughters as follows: Mrs. William
Clark, Mrs. William H. Hallman, Mrs. John Gehringer, Mrs.
Ambrose Famous, Miss Elizabeth Earp, and Mrs. Walter Bodey.
Deceased was one of the oldest members of the Fairmount Fire
Company. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon.lviii
Asher Earp was buried next to his wife Mary in Montgomery Cemetery
on June 8, 1909.
This picture was taken at Montgomery Cemetery in 2001. Asher and
Mary’s great great great grandsons Drew Meyers and Zach Walsh are at
their tombstones.
June 10, 1909, Letters of Administration were filed in the death of
Asher Earp.
His will reads as follows:
I, Asher Earp of Norristown County of Montgomery and state of
Pennsylvania being in health of body, and of sound mind, memory and
understanding do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking
and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofor made.
First, it is my will and I order that all my just debts and funeral
expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after
my demise, out of the first money that shall come into the hands of my
Executrix, from any portion of my Estate.
I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife all my Estate Real
Personal and mixed of what nature or kind soever and where soever the
same shall be at the time of my death during her natural life, should
she desire to sell the house where we now reside and purchase a smaller
house or put the proceeds out at interest she can do so, and after her
death the property both real personal and mixed to be sold and the
proceeds thereof to be equally divided among my six daughters share
and share alike, but in case my widow should remarry then in that case
I direct that all my Property both Real Personal and mixed be sold at
once, my widow to take one third of the proceeds thereof and the
balance two thirds to be divided between my six Daughters, share and
share alike and I do nominate and appoint my wife sole executrix of this
my last will and testament. In witness whereof I Asher Earp, the
Testator, have to this my will set my hand and seal this 16th day of
June 1891.lix
The will is handwritten by Asher and the original is in the records of
the Montgomery County Archives.
i Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1
ii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
Asher Earp Tombstone, Montgomery Cemetery, Norristown, Montgomery County
Pennsylvania, Lot G-65
10196: Eliphalet Parsons vs. Matilda Earp, James Earp, Benjamin Earp, Sarah Ann
Earp, Asher Earp, Louis Earp, John Worthey Earp, and Francis Asbury Earp. Howard
District. Estate of Asher Earp - Hockley, Rockburn. Recorded (Chancery Record) 165,
p. 301. Accession No.: 17,898-10196 MSA S512-13-10072 Location: 1/39/2/
Maryland State Archives
iii Church records, Lovely Lane Methodist Church, Maryland Historical Society Library
Baltimore, Maryland
iv Church records, Lovely Lane Methodist Church, Maryland Historical Society Library
Baltimore, Maryland
v The James Earp Family of Maryland, Charles Albert Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,
1994, Maryland Hall of Records Library, Annapolis, Maryland, #28354, 450 E C-2
vi Light Street Methodist Church description, from unnamed book of historic structures
in Baltimore at Maryland Historical Society Library, Baltimore, p. 17
vii http://www.gcah.org/Heritage_Landmarks/Lovely.htm, Lovely Lane Meetinghouse
Site, Baltimore, Maryland
The Methodist church in the United States began with the congregation on Lovely
Lane. In 1786 or 1794 the Lovely Lane congregation moved to Light Street. A final
move was made to the current location at 2200 St. Paul Street. At various times the
church and its congregation were referred to as Lovely Lane Methodist, Light Street
Methodist, and First Methodist. Now, the congregation is recognizing its roots and is
the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.
viii Light Street Methodist Church description, from unnamed book of historic
structures in Baltimore at Maryland Historical Society Library, Baltimore, p. 17
ix 1840 Census, Maryland, Anne Arundel County, District 4, p. 198, Roll M704_157,
Ancestry Image 204
x The James Earp Family of Maryland, Charles Albert Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,
1994, Maryland Hall of Records Library, Annapolis, Maryland, #28354, 450 E C-2
xi http://www.howardcounty.com/history.htm
xii 10196: Eliphalet Parsons vs. Matilda Earp, James Earp, Benjamin Earp, Sarah Ann
Earp, Asher Earp, Louis Earp, John Worthey Earp, and Francis Asbury Earp. Howard
District. Estate of Asher Earp - Hockley, Rockburn. Recorded (Chancery Record) 165,
p. 301. Accession No.: 17,898-10196 MSA S512-13-10072 Location: 1/39/2/
Maryland State Archives
xiii Eliphalet Parsons appeared elsewhere in my family history. My mother, Lois Weigel
Barclay, was delivered by Dr. Charles J. Morrell. Dr. Morrell was Emma Fraley’s first
cousin. Emma was my mother’s grandmother, so Dr. Morrell was Mom’s first cousin
twice removed.
Dr. Morrell’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Scarlett. Joseph Scarlett was tried
for treason as part of the Christiana Riots of 1851. The Riots were caused by a
Maryland slaveowner, Edward Gorsuch, endeavoring to retrieve several runaway slaves
who were residing in Christiana, Pennsylvania. During the encounter, Gorsuch was
killed. An account of the event describes the return of his body to Maryland.
Meantime the dead body of Edward Gorsuch was taken by
rail to Columbia, and via York on the Northern Central
Railroad, to Monkton, where a throng of mourning neigh-
bors met it and great local excitement prevailed. There being
no convenient hearse and the distance too long for pall-
bearers, it was carried by the four-horse team of Eliphalet
Parsons to Mr. Gorsuch's home.co
py]
Excerpted from, The Christiana Riot and Treason Trials of 1851, An Historical
Sketch, W.U. Hensel, New Era Printing Company, Lancaster, PA, 1911
http://www.law.utexas.edu/lpop/etext/christiana/christiana.htm
xiv Family Search, Vital Records Index – North America, FHL number 13694
xv 1850 Census, Maryland, Baltimore County, 1st District, p. 335, M432_280,
September 10, 1850, Ancestry Image 269
xvi 1850 Census
xvii Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1
xviii Bean’s History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Chapter XLVII, Borough of
Norristown, by Wm. J. Buck, p. 747,
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/montgomery/beantoc.html
xix Norristown Herald NEED SPECIFIC REFERENCE
xx Bean’s History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Chapter XLVII, Borough of
Norristown, by Wm. J. Buck, p. 751,
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/montgomery/beantoc.html
xxi Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
The Book of Family Facts indicates that
xxii 1870 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M593, Roll 1378, Part 1, Page
98A, July 6, 1870.
Mary Jones Earp Tombstone, Montgomery Cemetery, Norristown, Montgomery County
Pennsylvania, Lot G-65
xxiii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
xxiv 1860 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M653, Roll 1144, Part 1, P.
515, June 3, 1860
xxv US Civil War Factbook, 1861, http://www.skalman.nu/uscivilwar/1861.htm,
December 20, 2002, Marcus Wendel
xxvi Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.
(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 2-30, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,
http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives,
xxvii Civil War Service and Pension Records for John Wesley Earp, National Archives,
Washington, D.C., (Certificate Number 781031 Pennsylvania)
xxviii Civil War Service and Pension Records for John Wesley Earp, National Archives,
Washington, D.C., (Certificate Number 781031 Pennsylvania)
xxix Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
xxx The Union Army, Vol. 1, p. 498, viewed at Ancestry.com, American Civil War
Regiments database, Record 2254 of 6175, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-
bin/sse.dll?=&ti=0&db=hdsregiment&f0=2261&f11=Union
xxxi Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.
(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 5-1254, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,
http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives
xxxii The Union Army, Vol. 1, p. 498, viewed at Ancestry.com, American Civil War
Regiments database, Record 2254 of 6175, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-
bin/sse.dll?=&ti=0&db=hdsregiment&f0=2261&f11=Union
xxxiii Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.
(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 5-1254, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,
http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives
xxxiv Civil War Service and Pension Records for James Earp, National Archives,
Washington, D.C. (Certificate Number 809867 Pennsylvania)
xxxv Ancestry.com. US IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 (database on-line)
Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: National
Archive microfilm series M787, NARA Roll 31, Division 16, District 6 of Pennsylvania
xxxvi Ancestry.com. US IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 (database on-line)
Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: National
Archive microfilm series M787, NARA Roll 32, Division 16, District 6 of Pennsylvania
xxxvii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
xxxviii 1870 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M593, Roll 1378, Part 1, Page
98A, July 6, 1870.
xxxix Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
xl Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,
National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 378A
xli 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,
National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 377D and 378A
xlii Montgomery Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions, Montgomery County Historical
Society
xliii 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,
National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 378A
xliv Montgomery County, PA Board of Assessment, Norristown
http://12.40.122.125/FCP2.WEB8/0/PARCEL?PARCELNO=130003828002
xlv Montgomery County, PA Board of Assessment, Norristown
http://12.40.122.125/FCP2.WEB8/0/PARCEL?PARCELNO=130003736004
xlvi Norristown Times Herald and Free Press, November 1, 1881, p. 3
xlvii 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery, Norristown, T9_1159, FHL 1255159, Page 499C,
ED51, Image 743, June 9, 1880
xlviii It is interesting to compare the age when grandparenthood arrived. Asher’s son-
in-law William Daniel Clarke became a grandfather at the age of 64; William Duval
Clarke, Sr. at 54; William Duval Clarke, Jr. at 55.
xlix Montgomery Cemetery records. Montgomery County Historical Society.
l Norristown Weekly Herald, December 24, 1888, p. 8
li Norristown, Pennsylvania Directories, 1888-93, Ancestry.com database,
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gsfn=&gsln=&gskw=521+Barbadoes&prox=1&
lii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
Montgomery Cemetery Records, Montgomery County Historical Society
liii Norristown, Pennsylvania Directories, 1888-93, Ancestry.com database,
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gsfn=&gsln=&gskw=521+Barbadoes&prox=1&
liv Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke
lv Ambler Gazette, Ambler Montgomery County,PA, Thursday July 18, 1895. p.1
lvi Montgomery County Death Register, 1900, Montgomery County Historical Society
lvii1900 Census, PA, Montgomery, Norristown ED 231, Sheet 2, June 2, 1900
lviii Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1
lix Last Will and Testament of Asher Earp. Montgomery County Archives, Norristown,
Pennsylvania.