Tombstone Inscriptions at Milestown (Oak Lane), Philadelphia

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS AT MILESTOWN (OAK LANE), PHILADELPHIA GSP , introduction byJefferson M. Moak volunteers M ilestown formed around the intersections of Old York Road with Chelten Avenue and Oak Lane. The community grew toward the east along Oak Lane and Cheltenham Avenue (the line dividing Philadelphia County from Montgomery County). Eventually the entire area became known as Oak Lane, and Milestown nearly faded from memory. Even the Milestown Methodist Church changed its name to the Oak Lane Methodist Church. Not much is known about the Milestown churches, neither of which exists today. Milestown Methodist Church was organized in 1831 and enjoyed growth and successes well into the latter stages of the twentieth century when declining membership led to a decision to close. The cemetery still sits on the east side of Old York Road below Cheltenham Avenue, although it is not in good repair. The first burial noted in this inscription occurred in 1836; the last in 1934, almost 100 years later. The church buildings themselves are used today by a Korean congregation. The Milestown Baptist Church was originally called the Union Baptist Church and later, before its demise, the Oak Lane Baptist Church. It was located at the corner of 5th Street and Cheltenham Avenue. The church was apparently closed in 1914 and the buildings demolished in 1933* The churchyard contained numerous graves whose occupants had been interred between 1836 and 1911, but nothing remains. MILESTOWN (OAK LANE) METHODIST BURIAL GROUND EAST SIDE OF OLD YORK ROAD, SOUTH OF CHELTENHAM AVENUE From York Road eastward Job Mingin, born June 15, 1810; died April 30, 1872 (Mother) Hope Mingin, born May 3, 1808; died March 3, 1880 William Megargee, died November 28, 1869, aged 36 years (Mother) Elizabeth M, Megargee, born January 21, 1832; died February 27, 1912 The original transcriptions (GSP microfilm 1380) were typed by Trudy Slavcn. 162 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 42 (2001) 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Milestoum 163 John D., son of Robert and Elizabeth Taylor, died December 21, 1862, aged 5 years, 3 months, 5 days William M., son of Albert J, and Annetta R. Engle, born December 17, 1857; died March 27, 1859 Joseph, son of John and Mary DePrefontaine, died January 28, 1854, aged 3 years Walter DePrefontaine, died October 9, 1866, aged 20 years, 11 months, 12 days Joseph Megargee died March 20, 1852, aged 31 years, 4 months, 16 days Edward Megargee, died September 29, 1884, aged 32 years Ida Harris, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Magargee, died November 3, 1897, in her 51st year Joseph Megargee, died May 24, 1842, aged 53 years, 4 months, 21 days “Our Mother,” died April 21, 1871, in her 71st year. (No name.) Onfootstone: M. R. Martha, wife of John Smith, died September 2, 1858, aged 84 years, 8 months Albert Megargee, died May 30, 1861, in his 30th year (Father) Zebulon Engle, born December 13, 1828; died March 2, 1913 (Mother) Caroline J. Engle, born June 8, 1831; died May 2, 1885 k Robert C. Shelmerdine, M.D., died September 23, 1876, aged 77 years Eliza, wife of Robert C. Shelmerdine, M.D., died September 14, 1875, aged 72 years Children of this couple: Lavinia A., born March 9 1835; died April 17, 1897 Sarah M., born February 29, 1832; died January 30, 1909 “My aunt " Elizabeth Clement, died July 23, 1850, aged 73 years 4 months, 7 days Robert Q. Shelmerdine, M.D., died April 12, 1870 C. C. Shelmerdine, born February 7, 1842; died October 7, 1933 Elizabeth A., wife of C. C. Shelmerdine, died October 19, 1876, in her 31st year Agnes R. Shelmerdine, born September 13, 1827; died February 12, 1915 Mary Ellen, daughter of Joseph and Emma Fisher, died September 30, 1862, aged 15 years, 4 months, 6 days (Mother) Mary Haines, born October 23, 1778; died April 5, 1868 “My husband” Samuel Morton, born October 20, 1804; died March 11, 1882 164 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Susanna Morton, born September 3, 1815; died Jan: 13, 1900 John, son of Samuel and Susanna Morton, died April 9 1838, aged 4 years, 1 month, 27 days John R. Wismer, died March 25, 1884, aged 72 years Amanda, daughter of John L. and Charlotte Wismer, died June 17, 1846, aged 2 months John Coffman, Jr., died March 5, 1855 Jane, wife of John Coffman, Jr,, died July 24, 1885, aged 79 years Samuel P. Coffman, died April 12, 1855 George K. Heller, born March 14, 1803; died October 20, 1886 Sarah N., wife of George K. Heller, born May 24, 1803; died May 11, 1883 Sarah Ann, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Childs, died July 26, 1837, in her 14 th year William Nice, born December 30, 1797; died December 4, 1879 Mary G., wife of William Nice, died January 28, 1862, in her 53d year Theodore H. Nice, born March 6, 1843; died February 7, 1903 Elizabeth Hergesheimer, died February 20, 1836, in her 54th year Eliza, wife of Joseph Kulp, died October 28, 1854, aged 6l years Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Northey, died October 5, 1838, aged 4 months John Ewing, died August 9, 1881, aged 65 years Aaron Engle, 1821-1909 Margaretta, wife of Aaron Engle, born January 13, 1822; died September 27, 1885 Joseph Engle, born November 2, 1789; died September 29, 1870 Rachel, wife of Joseph Engle, born June 6, 1793; died November 19, 1872 Alongside Rachel Engle: “Mother” Emaline Searfoss, died September 10, 1888, aged 69 years Dilworth J. Engle, born January 26, 1817; died September 2, 1905 Lister: Thomas, Sr., Rachel B., Charles R., Edward C., Theodore S., William C., Ellen C., 1808-1886 1814-1894 1844-1864 1838-1875 1839-1879 1851-1884 1847-1934 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions 165 Ann Walton Sharp, 1822-1865 Joseph Sharp, 1826-1906 Ann Sharp, 1834-1913 (Husband) John G. Linson, born November 22, 1828; died October 29, 1861 (Mother) Caroline D., wife of George Farris, born December 25, 1828; died February 23, 1897 James Linson, died March 5, 1855, aged 24 years, 4 months Sarah Jane Linson, died February 15, 1861, aged 20 years, 7 months (Father) Jonathan Clapp, born January 10, 1804; died March 8, 1874 (Mother) Hannah Clapp, born February 14, 1804; died November 24, 1873 Elizabeth C. Bates, born November 8, 1832; died December 24, 1894 Sarah H. Clapp, 1839-1915 Sarah Neil, born November 24, 1816; died August 13, 1896 Childs: Nathan DeB., 1812-1891 Catharine, 1815-1885 Hannah R, 1850-1866 (Father) Jacob Jones, born December 4, 1799; died November 15, 1862 (Mother) Johanna Jones, born March 12, 1807; died January 19, 1893 William Harvey, son of John and Mary Wilson, died January 17, 1845, aged 6 months, 4 days Mary, wife of Rowland Freed, died July 7, 1853, aged 42 years, 8 months, 18 days Jacob C Pierson, died April 27, 1855, in his 51st year Eliza Pierson, born July 2, 1805; died March 20, 1863 Isaac Leech, died November 22, 1855, aged 72 years Susanna N. Leech, died July 12, 1847, aged 58 years Franklin Wesley, son of Lewis W. and Mary A. Rorer, born October _, 1846; died November 29, 1847 John S., son of Matthew and Isabella Bodgers, 1826-18541 i The name is likely Rodgers. No appropriate John, Matthew, or Isabella Bodgers/ Rodgers/Rogers were found in 1850, but in 1880 Matthew (born about 1804) and Isabella (born about 1817) Rodgers are on the census, suggesting that the birth year for John S. was 166 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Joseph Milligan, died February 18, 1854, aged 57 years, 25 days Elizabeth Milligan, born July 22, 1809; died December 22, 1899 Abijah B. Milligan, Company J. 95th Pe. Vol., Gosline’s Zouaves, killed in the battle of West Point, May 8, 1862, aged 26 years, 2 months, 12 days W. Keim Milligan, died April 13, 1877 Philip Whitesel, born November 28, 1823; died March 20, 1865 Mary Ann, wife of Philip Whitesel, died December 11, 1872, in her 45th year Abraham Hall, Sr. of Loversell, Yorkshire, England, died July 23, 1863, in his 75th year. Erected by his wife, Elizabeth Hall Joseph Fisher, died August 23, 1863, aged 47 years, 4 months, 5 days C. Augustus Miller, born December 19, 1855; died July 4, 1872 Lewis J. Wenzell, died December 31, 1876, aged 65 years, 6 months, 27 days Elizabeth Wenzell, born September 20, 1815; died July 9, 1889 Amanda, daughter of Lewis J. and Elizabeth Wenzell, born August 5, 1856; died February 18, 1900 (Father) George Wilson, born December 21, 1832; died December 10, 1895 (Mother) Ann Wilson, born November 19, 1830; died January 4, 1903 Albert C., son of George and Ann Wilson, born October 15, 1867; died October 16, 1889 Fletcher, son of John F. and Sarah Paulding, died January 9, 1857, aged 11 months John Jones, died January 31, 1870, aged 4l years Hannah E. Jones, born December 7, 1825; died June 13, 1900 London Ward, died September 13, 1868, aged 100 years Rosanna, wife of London Ward, died August 2, 1875 Valentine Steaks, died October 22, 1888, aged 82 years Catharine, wife of Valentine Steaks, died February 19, 1892, aged 81 years2 1836 or 1846; Mathew Rodgers household, 1880 US census, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, page 22 IB; NARAT9, roll 1178. 2 In 1880, Valentine (born about 1806 in Germany) and Katherine (born about 1813 in Germany) Slaakes (LDS abstract) were residing in Philadelphia. Valentine Slaakcs household, 1880 US census, 22nd Ward, District 2, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, page 228A; NARA T9, roll 1181. 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Milestown 167 Jonathan Engle, born September 7, 1814; died July 27, 1895. On same stone: Mary A. Engle, born April 7, 1818; died July 4, 1901 Mattie P., daughter of Jonathan and Mary A. Engle, died August 11, 1889 Emma L., daughter do. [ditto], died August 16, 1886 Henry P. Gamble, died October 20, 1867, aged 63 years Margaret, wife of Henry P. Gamble, died October 4, 1876, aged 67 years Deiany -William, 1830-1877; Martha, 1832-1904 Trank -John, 1800-1881; Eliza, 1809-1894 Adeline Green, 1813-1895 Patrick Brooker, died February 15, 1895, aged 72 years (Mother) Elsie Brooker, died July 2, 1880, aged 45 years Samuel Farris, 1800-1879 Maria, wife of Samuel Farris, 1806-1873 Thomas B. Clayton, died November 6, 1889, aged 77 years Sarah B., wife of Thomas B. Clayton, died August 19, 1872, aged 57 years Martin -Daniel, 1812-1898; Lydia Y, 1810-1876 Joseph H. Parker, born July 20, 1820; died March 18, 1874 Eliza A., wife of Joseph H. Parker, born July 13, 1823; died June 3, 1890 (Mother) Ann D. Wilt, died May 27, 1888, in her 70th year Rebecca Cox, died December 1, 1873, aged 78 years, 9 months (Father) Richard Flower, born August 18, 1819; died November 9, 1879 (Mother) Eleanor G. Flower, born September 11, 1821; died August 15, 1894 Mary Baker Engle, born November 23, 1856; died January 27, 1882 168 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 GROUNDS OF MILESTOWN (UNION) (OAK LANE) BAPTIST CHURCH SOUTH OF CHELTENHAM AVENUE BETWEEN OAK LANE AND FIFTH STREET West to East, beginning at Cheltenham Avenue and Oak Avenue Samuel Greaser, born May 5, 1822; died August 31, 1865 Samuel C. Rorer, born May 10, 1822; died February 1, 1884 Mary A., wife of Samuel C. Rorer, born October 22, 1824; died May 21 1876 Lavinia Nonamaker, born November 3, 1807; died January 3, 1890 Samuel Staniforth, died December 14, 1907, aged 52 years, 1 month, 16 days Ann, wife of Samuel Staniforth, died May 1, 1887, aged 69 years, 2 months, 20 days Mary A., wife of Joseph Rayser, born September 19, 1812; died November 23, 1889 David McCarter, born September 27, 1834; died October 18, 1880 Elizabeth, wife of David McCarter, born December 24, 1836; died May 9, 1899 Samuel Naylor, born January 9, 1804; died February 17, 1876 Susan Naylor, born November 7, 1807; died December 29, 1882 Alfred H. Morton, 1832-1900 Harriett Morton, died August 1, 1874, aged 38 years Sarah Magargee, born November 22, 1819; died May 11, 1892 Jacob Engle, died February 27, 1874, aged 81 years Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Engle, died July 6, 1871, aged 75 years Charles B. Engle, born February 28, 1829; died March 26, 1907 John F. Epplesheimer, died April 12, 1883, aged 49 years Mary Atkins, wife of John F. Epplesheimer, died January 27, 1911, aged 83 years William Atkins, died September 20, 1880, aged 78 years Elizabeth, wife of William Atkins, born January 3, 1783; died December 29, 1868 * Helen Hutchison Woodroofc’s A Genealogist’s Guide to Pennsylvania Records, 355, indicates that the Union Baptist Church of Milestown was at 1833 Oak Lane. In Montgomery County, Oak Lane Avenue becomes Oak Avenue. 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions 169 Ida Epplesheimer, wife of Albert E. Geissel, M.D., died October 24, 1903, aged 44 years Rev. Appleton H. Danforth, born in Pelham, Mass., July 8, 1817; died in Milestown, Pa., February 14, 1865. Was for 11 years a missionary in Assam, India; for three years pastor of Union Baptist Church, in Milestown. While preaching the gospel among the soldiers of the Union Army in Virginia, He was prostrated by the disease which ended his life. Mrs. F. A. Danforth Bronson, wife of Rev. Miles Bronson, D.D., missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union in Assam, British India. Her body sleeps in the Missionary Cemetery, Rangoon, Burma. Born in Worcester, Mass., April 27, 1827; died in Rangoon, February 3, 1874. She went to India in 1847 as the wife of Rev. Appleton H. Danforth. After 11 years failing health compelled her to return. She sailed for India October 21, 1871, and was married to Rev. Dr. Bronson January 19, 1872 William L. Rorer, born April 9, 1813; died October 15, 1885 Elizabeth, wife of William L. Rorer, born February 16, 1826; died July 16, 1878 Jacob Rorer, died September 17, 1884, aged 74 years Sarah Coulston, wife of Jacob Rorer, died March 25, 1879, aged 69 years East of Central walk, beginning at gate Elizabeth Marley, born September 2, 1799; died May 23, 1871 Corporal John F. Hall, Co. B. 68th Pa. Vol. Wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; died August 1; buried here August 6. In his 28th year. Alfred J. Hall, died June 5, I860, in his 28th year Rev. W. S. Hall Edward Carey, son of Christianna Dedier, born November 8, 1832; died December 7, 1862 (Father) William J. Carey, 1830-1888 (Mother) Anna E. Carey, 1847-1904 Charles Dedier, born March 6, 1850; died October 29, 1867 William, son of James and Maria Dedier, died March 2, 1858, aged 5 years, 8 months James Dedier, born April 27, 1823; died January 11, 1889. On same stone: Maria Dedier, died August 2, 1900, aged 82 years John Adam Hoffman, born 1803; died July 12, 1851 170 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Francis, son of William and Elizabeth Carpenter, died August 18, 1840, aged 11 months Barbara A. Sharp, born May 22, 1805; died June 11, 1868 William Thomas, died December 19, 1875, in his 57th year David R., son of William and Ellen Thomas, died September 2 months, 12 days 1851, aged George, son of Ellis and Mary J. Jones, died February 11, 1873, aged 25 years Ellis Jones, died May 21, 1883, aged 73 years, Mary J. Williams, wife of Ellis Jones, died April 25, 1888, aged 68 years David Williams, died March 11, 1881, aged 75 years Mary, wife of David Williams, died November 8 1892, aged 81 years Rebecca A., wife of John Keer, died December 23, 1880, in her 54th year Henry L., only son of John and Rebecca A. Keer, died December 25, 1880, in his 24th year Augustus Singley, died October 29, 1870, aged 78 years Also his granddaughter, Catharine Maharg, died December 12, 1870, aged 14 years Margaret, wife of Augustus Singley, died May 3, I860, in her 68th year Henry S. Rorer, born June 17, 1822 ; died August 23, 1900 Mary A., wife of Henry S. Rorer, born January 29, 1825; died October 28, 1884 Mordecai Bevan, died December 29, 1848, aged 43 years, 5 months, 24 days Susanna, wife of the late Thomas Little, born October 29, 1788; died June 7, 1853 Martin Leapson, born April 6, 1808; died September 24, 1849 Sarah Leapson, born October 5, 1814; died June 11, 1888 John A. Leapson, killed in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, aged 28 years Rachel Harry, born November 15, 1782; died April 22, 1857 William Elkins, died November 4, 1883, aged 81 years Susanna, wife of William Elkins, died October 5, 1855, aged 50 years In same lot: Ella C, wife of J. Albert Brous, 1852-1891 Jonathan Roads, born March 7, 1790; died June 11, 1867 2001] Tombstone Inscriptions at Milestown 171 Jane, wife of Jonathan Roads, born December 22, 1802; died March 28, 1881 Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and Jane Roads, born August 19, 1836; died November 17, 1878 Franklin Roads, born August 2, 1827; died March 7, 1885 Sarah W., wife of Charles Johnson, died June 16, 1856, in her 36th year Charles W., son of Charles and Sarah W. Johnson, Pa. Artillery USA, died April 24, 1865, in his 19th year Henry Bolton, born May 30, 1813; died March 8, 1900 George Ellis, died June 13, 1840, in his 36th year Elizabeth, wife of George Ellis, died October 27, 1868, aged 83 yrs, 2 days Mary Ellis, died February 9, 1855, aged 43 years, 2 months, 10 days Theodore Rufe, born March 6, 1843; died March 24, 1876. Son of John and Ellen Rufe William McCowan, died June 18, 1850, aged 37 years, 8 months, 8 days William B. Smith, born March 22, 1826; died March 20, 1887 Ann Carleen Smith, born May 8, 1817; died November 4, 1910 Simeon McCowen, born October 12, 1846; died April 25, 1872 Jacob Baker, born July 14, 1807; died June 7, 1883 Thomas H., son of James and Mary Farrall, died October 26, 1864, aged 12 years, 6 months, 14 days Joseph Roads, born July 25, 1826; died June 28, 1905 Elizabeth S., wife of Joseph Roads, born November 22, 1826; died January 5, 1871 Linford Judson, son of David and Caroline J. Williams, died July 25, 1864, in his 3d year Josiah Magarge, died March 4, 1862, in his 44th year Maria Magarge, died January 5, 1864, in her 42d year Hannah, wife of the late Joseph Magarge, died March 19, 1872, aged 80 years Joseph Magarge, died April 20, 1850, aged 6l years, 5 months, 26 days Following four names on one monument: John Grubb, died January 18, 1857, aged 68 yrs Tacy Palmer Grubb, died November 17, 1857, aged 58 years Charles Palmer Grubb, died August 16, 1849, aged 28 years Caroline Jones, died January 3, 1857, aged 27 years 172 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 42 Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Napoleon and Cecilia Showers, died March 13, 1846, aged 1 year, 11 months Five children of Elias and Sarah Birchall, died 1851-72 (Father) Elias Birchall, born May 23, 1818; died July 3, 1885 (Mother) Sarah Lutz Birchall, born November 22, 1819; died October 7, 1899 Henry Rorer, died November 5, 1834, aged 55 years, 10 months, 25 days Sarah, wife of Henry Rorer, born December 25, 1781; died September 30, 1874 Henrietta L, Rorer, died October 19, 1873, in her 55th year (Father) David Rorer, Sr., died August 10, 1853, in his 6lst year (Mother) Maria Rorer, died September 18, 1857, aged 57 years, 5 months Rachel Rorer, died July 28, 1836, aged 40 years 11 months, 8 days Lemuel Rorer, died March 9, 1865, in his 38th year John Reyner, died March 15, 186l, in his 71st year Ann, wife of John Reyner, died June 9, 1883, aged 95 years, 10 months Edward Hughes, died July 13, 1848, in his 84th year Harriet Hughes, born July 3, 1824; died April 11, 1852 Ann M. Clayton, died February 24, 1870, in her 29th year Sarah, wife of Joseph M. Carter, died April 10, 1840, aged 36 years, 1 month, 15 days Jacob Magargal, died May 11, 1863, in his 65th year Eleanor, wife of Jacob Magargal, died May 5, 1855, aged 52 years 4 months, 8 days Jonathan Margargal, died January 5, 1856, aged 28 years, 1 month, 17 days David E. Jones, died December 13, 1865, aged 47 years Mary W., wife of David E. Jones, born January 10, 1822; died 1875 Charles S. Leech, 1827-1869 Martha Gill Leech, 1828-1861 Joseph Rorer, aged 96 years, 1 month (no dates) Catharine, wife of Joseph Rorer, died June 19, 1850, aged 77 years, 3 months, 13 days William H. Ketler, born October 6, 1798; died September 3, 1879 Mary C., wife of William H, Ketler, died June 25, 1888, in her 85th year Susannah, wife of Samuel C. Margargal, died May 29, 1859, aged 55 years, 3 months, 26 days William Hartley, died April 25, 1857, aged 54 years, 11 months, 24 days