Tombstone Inscriptions at Chestnut Hill

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS AT CHESTNUT HILL GSP volunteers* C hestnut Hill, located in the extreme northwest part of Philadelphia, has had at least four cemeteries during its 300 years of existence. Only two of these still remain–those located behind the Chestnut Hill Baptist Church at Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike and the Chestnut Hill Methodist Church at 8814 Germantown Avenue. No burials have been made in either cemetery for almost 100 years. According to Charles Barker, some of the remains at the Chestnut Hill Baptist Church were removed to Hillside Cemetery in Montgomery County.1 The remaining inscriptions were copied in 1936 by Mrs. Anita L. Eyster. The Chestnut Hill Baptist Church was established in 1834 and ground for the church and churchyard purchased in 1835. The earliest burial noted in this inscription occurred in 1839; the last in 1915. The Chestnut Hill Methodist Church was incorporated in 1847 as the Wesley Chapel, and it purchased its present location the same year. Elizabeth Windolph, the young wife of Jacob Windolph, was probably the first burial here, as she died in November 1847, two months after the parish acquired the ground. There is an inscription for a person who died before 1847, but he was probably moved into the churchyard after its formation. The range of deaths represented in the Methodist churchyard extends from 1840 to 1915. It is fortunate that volunteers from the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania made these transcriptions in 1936 for neither cemetery is in good order today. The tombstones at the Chestnut Hill Baptist Church were laid down flat upon the ground during the mid-twentieth century in order for a landscaper to cut the grass more easily. The grass has now covered most of the stones. The current pastor at the Chestnut Hill Baptist Church is looking for ways to preserve the old churchyard and raise the stones once again. Those stones at the Chestnut Hill Methodist Church were removed by a former pastor who did not care to look upon them in the back yard. A subsequent pastor discovered them and placed them near the back of the churchyard, but the stones bear no relation to the actual burial plots. * The original transcriptions were retyped for publication by Trudy Slaven; this introduction was written by Jefferson M. Moak. 1 Charles R. Barker, A Register of the Burying Grounds of Philadelphia, 3 vols. (n.p.: n.p., 1943—44), 1:53. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 42 (2001) Final copy 31 January, 2010 34 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Chestnut Hill 35 CHESTNUT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH These stones are at the rear of the church (at Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike). Many inscriptions are scarcely legible, thus there is doubt in many instances about the accuracy of dates given here. Numerous stones lie on their faces. South side, front to rear Ann Patterson, consort of the Rev. James Patterson, died August 21, 1841, aged 76 years, 6 months Also Emily S. Patterson, his second consort, born July 23, 1812; died November 10, 1848 Eliza Knous, wife of Charles Knous, died March 18, 1839, aged 40 years, 11 months, 24 days ____ Sands, Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves Charles Thomas, died March 8, 1844, aged 54 years, 9 months, 15 days Hannah, wife of Charles Thomas, died January 15, 1842, aged 56 years, 19 days Janet, daughter of Charles and Hannah Thomas, died February 1847, aged 16 years, 1 month, 22 days Harriet W. Hallowell – Mother – 1821—1847 John D. Thomas, 1812—1851 – Father Catharine Thomas, 1814—1904 – Mother Elen Jane, daughter of John and Catharine Thomas, died June 26, 1849, aged 6 years, 8 months. Matilda, infant daughter do Richard Rettner, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry Ann Dubree, died October 16, 1848, aged 53 years, 3 months, 4 days Elizabeth, daughter of Homer and Ann Dubree, died November 221, 1843, aged 23 years, 4 months, 15 days Ann Layre, died October 1, 1849, aged 64 years, 9 months 7 days Sarah Huston, born December 23, 1815; died March 31, 1878 William Ambers, son of John and Mary A. Ambers, born September 6, 1872, in his 27th year Matilda Louise Ambers, daughter of John and Mary Ambers, died March 20, 1849, aged 4 years, 23 days, also Mary Elizabeth Ambers, aged 9 years, 10 months Final copy 31 January, 2010 36 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 William Hart, born December 25, 1787; died November 16, 1862 Ann, wife of William Hart, born November 15, 1795; died ____ 1845 William Hartranft, died November 16 1850, aged 47 years 5 months, 4 days Margaret, wife of William Hartranft, born September 25, 1803; died March 6, 1870 Reuben, son of William and Margaret Hartranft, Born June 21, 1838; died April 5, 1881 Richard Hudson, died December 10, 1851, aged 35 years William Graham, died August 9, 1856, aged 22 years Henrietta Graham, daughter of William Graham, died February 8, 1856 aged 4 years Charles Wise, born October 16, 1800; died October __, 1844 Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Jacoby, died October 18, 1852, aged 84 years William Augustus, son of George Huston, 1850—1851 George H. Hergesheimer, born September 3, 1816; died March 15, 1865 Sophonisba S., wife of George H. Hergesheimer, died February 5, 1883, aged 60 years, 7 months 12 days Matilda Huey, died August 23, 1883, aged 22 years John K., son of S. and S. Y. Anson, born March 16, 1854; died October 11, 1854 Warren K., son do., 1869—1871. [b. May 3, 1869 d. July 8, 1871] North Marple, born December 2, 1811; died May 15, 1884 Ellen, wife of Levi Hey and daughter of John and Hannah Anson, born December 14, 1835; died February 13, 1864 John Deacon Anson, born January 23, 1798; died September 6, 1872 Hannah, wife of John Anson, born May 1, 1803; died August 15, 1867 John Lincoln Anson, son of William and Sarah L. Anson, born January 14, 1865; died September 17, 1865 Charlie Sands, son of James and Amelia Anson, born June 22, 1873; died August 23, 1875 Final copy 31 January, 2010 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Chestnut Hill 37 North side, rear to front Eliza, wife of Samuel Watson, a native of Wiveliscomb, Somersetshire, England, died July 19, 1860, aged 59 years, 6 months Eliza P., wife of Thomas E. Woodruff, born January 13, 1840; in her 44th year [sic]. George Freas, born December 8, 1780; died February 5, 1859 Elizabeth, wife of George Freas, died May 15, 1855, aged 60 years, 1 month, 11 days Rebecca D. Ambler, wife of William Graver, born April 26, 1860; died September 30, 1895 Horatio G. Grant, died February 25, 1852, aged 73 years, 5 months, 16 days Abner Cambel, died August 3, 1847, aged 62 years, 3 months, 9 days Peter Felty, born April 2, 1794; died June 20 1878. A soldier of the War of 1812 Henry C. Emery, died June 2, 1899, aged 68 years. Served in the 20th Maine Volunteers in the Civil War Sarah Emery, 1827—1915 Benjamin Mattis, born March 14, 1790; died July 3, 1872. Hannah, wife of Benjamin Mattis, died April 20, 1849, in her 61st year Peter Cambel, born December 28, 1811; died February 9, 1891. Margaret, wife of Peter Cambel, died October 2, 1853, aged 36 years, 1 month, 27 days Emma, wife of Peter Cambel, died August 26, 1868, in her 26th year Charles Harshaw, born March 14, 1845; died June 26, 1889. Served in the 29th Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War Emma E. daughter of Titus and Ellen Shermer, born June 27, 1844; died March 21, 1862 Howard M. Sands, Anderson Cavalry, died in Louisville, Ky., July 16, 1863, from disease contracted in the service. Son of Reuben and Catharine Sands Constantine B. Sands, son of Reuben and Catharine Sands, died October 6, 1874 Wilfred A., son of Reuben and Catharine Sands, died August 14, 1876 Final copy 31 January, 2010 38 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Lewis H. Sands, son of Ezra and Ellen Sands, drowned January 30, 1849, aged 22 years, 5 months, 17 days Mary W., wife of Isaac Post, born April 3, 1766; died March 27, 1842 Dea. Ezra Sands, one of the founders and first deacons of this church, born March 7, 1786; died May 15, 1869 Ezra Sands, born January 6, 1813; died May 24, 1893 Juliann Sands, born December 19 1813; died December 3, 1882 Mary, wife of George Rush, born Ma__, 1790; died May 25, 1866 Malvina, wife of Charles Crossley. [1847] Catharine Emma, daughter of John and Mary Gregg, born July 15, 1842; died June 27, 1847 CHESTNUT HILL METHODIST CHURCH These stones are at the rear of the church (west side of Germantown Avenue, above Rex Avenue). Hanna, wife of Andrew Pfleager, born June 22, 1810; died July 9, 1889 George Weak, born August 6, 1811; died April 20, 1877. Elizabeth, wife of George Weak, born May 25, 1825; died January 5, 1903 Jacob Windolph, died March 30 1899, in his 78th year. Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Windolph, died November 1, 1847, aged 22 years, 8 months, 14 days Louisa, wife of Jacob Windolph, died April 20, 1900, in her 68th year. Nettie H. Windolph, died January 17, 1886, in her 22d year John G. Windolph, died September 18, 1895. William B. Windolph, 1856—1915. “Brother” William Millman, born November 19, 1781; died December 5, 1858 George W., son of Henry and Elizabeth B. Van Hoff, born September 16, 1849; died November 9, 1868 Harry B., son of Samuel and Margaret Tustin, born November 30, 1856; died August 6, 1875 Susannah D., wife of James W. Detweiler, died May 30, 1883, aged 45 years Ann E., wife of P. S. Weissman, born April 15, 1843; died February 13, 1873 Final copy 31 January, 2010 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Chestnut Hill 39 Elizabeth M., wife of William Bangs, born March 8, 1819; died March 31, 1872 Ann, wife of George Lehman, born September 15, 1798; died January 10, 1873 Emeline, wife of Theodore Lehman, in her 52d year Peter S. Blake, died October 15, 1883, in his 71st year Orlando Snyder, born January 29, 1810; died May 3, 1870. Margaret J., wife of Orlando Snyder, born July 21, 1806; died July 1, 1848 Levi A. Cope, died February 3, 1870, aged 51 years. Mary, wife of Levi A. Cope, died January 21, 1871, aged 51 years “Our Sister” Frederick Detweiler, born March 20, 1789; died January 2, 1840 Mary Detweiler, died November 28, 1873, aged 85 years. “Our Mother” Charlotte Detweiler, died August 30, 1885, in her 61st year. “Our Sister” Caroline E., wife of William Hammond, died December 12, 1898, aged 75 years. “Our Mother” Harriet Detweiler, died April 16, 1902, in her 76th year. “Our Aunt” Harriet Evelyn, only daughter of M. W. and E. L. Deshong, died March 9, 1900, aged 21 years William T. Wright, born September 4, 1844; died August 9, 1884 Andora Wright, born December 4, 1857; died June 14, 1889 Elizabeth Langden, died November 12, 1886, in her 74th year William H. Lehman. born November 23, 1823 ; died June 22, 1893 Margaret, wife of William H. Lehman, born November 25, 1825; died March 15, 1870 William A., son of William H. and Margaret Lehman, died January 31, 1871, in his 27th year Joseph Tarrance, 1847—1875. Lizzie M. Tarrance 1848—1914 William McBride, born July 1, 1802; died November 23, 1876 Hope McBride, born November 3, 1805; died October 23, 1865 Catharine McBride, born January 21, 1782; died September 13, 1862 H. A. McBride, 119th Pennsylvania Infantry. William G. McBride, born July 10, 1836; died March 22, 1859 Final copy 31 January, 2010 40 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Joseph Knouse, born January 23, 1817; died August 8, 1894 Margaret W., wife of Joseph Knouse, born April 27 1821; died October 6, 1858 William A. Knouse, born October 1, 1851; died May 27, 1878 George C. Knouse, born April 12, 1845; died June 17 1882 Mary, wife of William Bickings, died May 13, 1851, in her 67th year Louis D. Favrod, born May 29, 1825; died September 19 1881 Catharine B. Favrod, born October 23, 1809; died December 5, 1893 Christopher Hart, died May 31, 1883, aged 67 years, 4 months, 13 days Elizabeth B., wife of Christopher Hart, died April 23, 1876, aged 60 years, 11 months, 21 days John N., son of Christopher and Elizabeth B. Hart, born November 23, 1845; died October 11, 1864. Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry William Burnheter, 1816—1902. “Father” Martha Burnheter, 1823—1898. “Mother” Jacob Burnheter, born November 25, 1788; died July 17, 1856 Hannah, wife of Jacob Burnheter, died July 27, 1861, in her 86th year Benjamin W. Schantz, 1850—1910 Ella E. Schantz, 1849—1896 Jacob L. Hottenstein, born July 15, 1824; died November 8, 1895 George W. Bessan, born June 15, 1844; died March 30, 1887 George Bessan, 1815—1857 Sarah A. Bessan, 1819—1892 Richard G., son of George and Sarah A. Bessan, born May 10, 1841; died August 4, 1866 Henry A. Piper, died January 12, 1881, in his 91st year. “Father” Jane Sheridan, wife of Henry A. Piper, died October 13, 1868, in her 56th year. “Mother” Hannah, wife of Theodore Kinkiner, born November 20, 1841; died June 25, 1865 George Hawes, born October, 1816; died April 27, 1877. “Our Brother” William Hawes, born November 22, 1785; died February 28, 1869. “Our Father” Euphemia, wife of John H. Shultz, born April 1, 1810; died August 27, 1886 Final copy 31 January, 2010