Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions

UPPER BURIAL GROUND, GERMANTOWN INSCRIPTIONS Compiled by Thomas M. Shoemaker * M r. Keyser in the Penna. Historical Magazine [sic] has written the history of the Upper Burying Ground, but did not give to any extent the inscriptions on the stones;1 I have copied off some of the more interesting ones though not by means them all. Most of the early settlers in the upper part of the town are represented amongst the dead, such as the Weavers, Unrods, Channons, Lippards, Knorrs, Rittenhouses, Bockius, Schivers, Ottingers, Dediers, Crouts, Bottens, Engles, Keyser, Lieberts & Heislers. In Memory of Christian Lehman a Notary of Public of this Province who was born in the city of Dresdan, Germany November 7, 1714, and died in Philadelphia December 28, 1774 Hier Ruhen die gebeine A–M– (Alexander Mack) geboren 1679 gestorben 1735 Alt 56 Jahr. * The text is presented as written by Mr. Shoemaker about 1884 and typed by Sara Binder Moore in 1955. 1 Peter D. Keyser, “Inscriptions in the Upper Germantown Burying-Ground,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 9(1885): 82—88. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 43 (2004) Final copy 26 March 2005 364 2004 Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions 365 Hier ruhen Jacob Schnete – ist gest. den 22 Septm 1738 Sein Alter 11 Jahr– In Memory of Christina Wife of William Dewese Died in ye Year 1749 In Memory of William Deweese who departed this life Ma__ the 3 1743 Aged 67 years. Hier Ruhn der Leib von Johannes Schusler ist Geboren den 4th Dec. 1722 Und Gestorbenden 4th April 1783 Seines Alters 61 Jahr und 4 Monat. In Memory of Adam Shisler who departed this Life December the 22nd 1777 Aged 969 [sic] Years [TMS: His wife died in 1779 aged 71 years, it is fair to presume he did not live to the good old age named but died at 69.] In Memory of Sebilla Miller Who Died Aug 17th 1764 Aged 80 years Final copy 26 March 2005 366 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Here lieth ye Boday of Mary Engle daugtr of Cornelous & Catharien Engle who deptd this life ry Jan the 2nd 1752 Aged 13 Mos A tender little Branch Cut off before its Bloom Doth now rest in his arms Who’ll raise hur from her Tomb In Memory of Adam Schneider who departed this life June the 21st 1801 Aged 50 years 4 months and 6 days Epitath A Soul Prepared needs no delays The Summons Comes the saint obeys. The flesh rests here till Jesus comes, And claims the Treasure from the tomb. [TMS: On later stones the name is spelled Snyder.] Memoriae Perpetuae Sacrum Religuis of Charles Lehman A son of Christian & Elizh Lehman who died Augt 12th A.D. 1760 aged 2 years 8 mos & 1 day A Stroke so Sudden so fevered a Dart was early levelled at my tender Heart, my time was here but short. How glorius is my Rest– With Christ who called me hence Because he thought it best. Final copy 1 February, 2010 Vol. 43 2004 Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions Hier Ruhen in Gott dend Leibe nach der Ehrfaine Christoph Leist– er wahr an das bicht diefer Welt gebohren den 10 August In Jahr 1694 Undhardas zeitliche Liben Verlafen den 3 Junius in Jahr 1769. In Memory of Elizabeth Wife of William Sheetz departed this life Feby 17, 1854 Aged 27 Years 4 Mos. & 4d– The victory now is obtained She’s gone her dear Savior to see She is now where she longed to be. Honor to the brave hic jacet in pace Maj Irvine Capt Turner No Gal– Adj. Lucas, and six soldiers Americans killed in the Battle of Germantown One Cause, one grave – J F W. [TMS: This stone was erected by John F. Watson over this grave. ] Final copy 26 March 2005 367 368 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine In Memory of Sarah Sower the true and faithful wife of Samuel Sower Daughter of Henry & Catharine Landis of Amwell (New Jersey) who departed this Life February the 23d 1791. Aged 23 years, 9 months and 22 days. Farewell my Friends & Parents dear I am not dead but Sleepth here, My Debts are paid, my Grave you see Prepare for death and follow me. [on reverse] In Memory of Anna S Sower Daughter of Samuel and Sarah Sower; Aged 4 hours. Sleep lovely Babe and take thy rest Within thy Mammas Arm, God calls you home & thought it best To take you out of Harm. To the Memory of Conrad Carpenter who departed this life August 24th 1823 Aged 58 years 2 months & 11 days. Here lieth the remains of a kind husband and affectionate Father and a sincere friend. Final copy 1 February, 2010 Vol. 43 2004 Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions 369 George Markle born Sep 4, 1786 Died Mar 11, 1872 [TMS: This not on his tomb but just a mem. Editor’s note: It is unclear where Mr. Shoemaker got this information and why he included it. ] In Memory of Benjamine Engle who departed this life on Decbr 1762 Aged 4_ years & 8 months. Death with his Dart Hath pierced my Heart Though I was in my Prime My wife most dear Your Grief forbear Its Gods appointed time. [TMS: He was evidently older than now appears, probably in the forties but the last figure is gone, as the stone is broken at the side.] In Memory of William W Kunius who was born March 13th 1805 and departed this Life August 5th 1822 aged 17 years 4 months & 23 days. Like vernal flower that open with the sun And die away before one course is run So blow this flower which promised much delight when lo’ he withered with the shades of night Rest lovely youth thy bodys now in dust Thy soul in heaven with God I fondly trust. In Memory of John G. Knorr who departed this Life October 6th 1761 Aged 73 years and 6 months Final copy 26 March 2005 370 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 43 [In a square marble monument some 10' high 3 ft. square at the base is the following:] [west side] Stephen G Mouille Born April 15th 1816 Died August 9th 1847 He volunteered in the first Regiment of Pennsylvania, was at the Battle of Cero Gordo; Prostrated by disease, he returned to die amid his sorrowing friends. [front] Turn stranger and drop a passing tear For Freedoms soldier slumbers here: Prompt at his countrys call he bade farewell To home and friends; and Vera Crouz, as well As Ceros Gordas’ thunders, can attest The deep devotion of his manly breast; But destiny aside the death-shaft turns To list with dying ear the Clarions call And mid the “clashing of the guns” to fall; For fate more cruel than the cruel foe Commissions fell disease to deal the blow; To waste his stalwart frame and dim his eye And sends the faithful Soldier home to die Here love and friendship shall the Vigil keep To guard the spot where Mouilles ashes Sleep. [East side] Friendships Tribute To Sterling Worth & Manly Virtues Erected to the Memory of Sergt Stephen G Mouille by His personal Friends and Associates of Locust Ward Phila’ The Man-Soldier and Friend. Final copy 1 February, 2010 2004 Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions 371 In Memory of Hannah Wife of John G Knorr who departed this Life October 3d 1779 Aged 81 years. George Knorr Died 8th Mo 22nd 1854 Aged 92 yrs, 8 mos and 11 days. Beneath this tablet are deposited the remains of Zachariah Poulson of the city of Philadelphia Printer. Born on the fifth day of September 1781. He was for nearly forty years the Editor and Proprietor of “Poulsons American Daily Advertiser”, the first Daily paper on this continent. Eminent for integrity of character, Benevolence of disposition and Serenity of temper, He was universally beloved and respected, as a christian and as a man. “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” [TMS: Poulson married a daughter of John Knorr.] Hirlied der leib Ana Maria Havsrin Geborn 1709 Mhenr zv dot, Gbeabn. [TMS: The rest of the above I could not make out, as it is buried in the ground. Editor’s note: Mr. Shoemaker obviously had great difficulty with the German script. This is as he transcribed it.] Final copy 26 March 2005 372 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine In Memory of Paul Engle who departed this Life December 13th 1792 Aged 68 years & 3 months. Secure in Jesus, through the thorny road He trod unerring to his Maker, God; And tender friendship marked him for her own; To ease the sufferings of the poor distressed Was joy that – to his virtous breast; His body rests, but to the realms of day His Soul triumphant winged its way. In Memory of George Bensell who Departed this Life November the 23d 1806 aged 26 ? years 8 months and 23 days. In Memory of William Botten who departed this Life March 8, 1848, Aged 58 years 3 mos & 14 d Dear wife and children do not weep I am not dead but here do sleep Within this solid lump of clay, Until the resurrection day And here my body must remain Till Christ shall call me forth again. In Memory of Leonard Stoneburner who departed this Life June 17th 1794 Aged 76 years 7 months & 6 days. Final copy 1 February, 2010 Vol. 43 2004 Upper Burial Ground, Germantown, Inscriptions John Sitgreaves of the City of Philadelphia Merchant was born February 11th 1763 and died September 2nd 1798. In Memory of Hannah Daughter of Gerritt & Catwab Clemens who Departed this Life March 25th 1788 Aged 11 years 4 months & 20 days. In Memory of John Crout; was born on the 25th Day of April in the year 1745 Departed this Life July the 13th 1802. Final copy 26 March 2005 373