Datestone of carved sandstone from mill of Wendell (Vantil) and Anne Bowman. Thick slab of sandstone with tombstone shape. Face is carved in bas-relief. Within a molded edge is a double-headed eagle perched atop a floral/scrolling motif ending in two double-leafed tulips. Below is an incised text in English: "Built by vantil/ & anne boman/ 1797."
According to Our Present Past, Bowman's Mill was on Penn Grant Rd., south side, east of Pequea Creek. It was a three story, three bay by five bay stone mill, with keystone lintels. At the time of the 1985 survey, the mill was abandoned and deteriorating quickly with no roof. After Bowman, the mill was sold to the Brackbill family in 1805 and then to Henry Neff in 1874. The Ellis & Evans account differs in dates and names (p. 1066).
There was a Wendel Bowman (1670-1735) who was among the first party of about ten Swiss Mennonite families who settled in Lancaster Co. in 1710. He immigrated to Germantown in 1707 before coming to Lancaster (Ellis & Evans, p. 685). He had a son Christian, who had a son Christian II (1724-1790), who had a 3rd son WENDELL (1758-1842) who married ANNE and built the mill. Thus, he was great grandson of the immigrant ancestor. Ellis & Evans note that Wendell Bowman operated a tavern in what is now Strasburg Twp. (p. 23) as well as the mill (p. 1066).
Provenance
Since the mill was in a state of disrepair, the owner hired Benuel King, an Amish demolition contractor, to raze the building, apparently sometime within the past year (2000). The datestone subsequently turned up at the Conestoga sale with no explanation as to origin.
Overall good condition but heavily pitted. Multiple losses, esp. around outside corners. Small fissures/scars, especially from "B" of Built extending to "e" of Anne, as well as a smaller one at top of arch. Significant portions of the right claw of eagle are missing. Remnants of mortar still attached to sides.
Object ID
P.01.17.1
Notes
Copyright photos provided by Frank Heatwole Dec. 2004
Charles Bauman (descendant) of Michigan visited July 2010 and purchased photo of datestone.
Ellis & Evans History of Lancaster County
Our Present Past
The unusally ornate design depicts the mix of cultures prevalent in Lancaster County. The double-headed eagle, the emblem of the Holy Roman Emperor, is not what one would expect from a Mennonite whose family had fled these very lands to escape the sufferings and deprivations of war and religious persecution. The design unexpectedly includes tulips to accompany the eagle. Finally, the Bowmans wanted their datestone written in English instead of their native German, likely an attempt to connect with their English-speaking neighbors whom they hoped would become customers. (Wendell Zercher)
Place of Origin
Strasburg Twp.
Usage
Bowman's Mill
Credit
Gift of John J. Snyder, Jr., in honor of the Krote cousins, Heri
Ambrotype in case, note inside panel reads, "Catharine Hardy 19 years old" Note on back of case reads, "Kate Hardy, Jan. 28th, 1860 / Henry Long, Jan. 37, 1860"
Bronze-colored metal coin. Face: Head of Thaddeus Stevens with his name and years "1792" and "1868." Interior border of tiny dentals around circumference of coin on both sides.
Reverse: Torch, top center; beribboned curved bough with leaves and berries on lower left. "1792 to 1868 / Champion of the Free Schools, Friend of the Poor and Downtrodden"
Bronze medal awarded to Professor B. Kevinsky for meritorious service in the civil war. On face, scene of wounded or dying soldier, bordered by, "We Give Our Wealth for those who give their health for us" On reverse, "Great Central Fair for the US Sanitary Commission held at Philadelphia / June 1864"
Stored in leather covered case. See Journal minutes, February, 1925.
White ribbon bookmark with red and blue stitching around image of George Washington. "The Father of Our Country' arches above. Flags are draped over a canon and sword below with plaque reading: "General /George Washington/ The first in peace,/the first in war,/ the first in the hearts/ of his countrymen."
At bottom of ribbon: T. Stevens, Coventry" (Thomas Stevens, Coventry Bookmark)
Portrait of young gentleman. Fairly faded out. Water marks/stains, one around right eye of man (viewer's left) in decorative bronze-colored frame with glass narrow gold-colored braid around edge. All with a red velvet rectangle. On the red velvet lining of the lid/cover: "Addis (?) s Lancaster Gallery/ NE Corner of Centre Square & N. Queen St." Black container has decorative motifs on front and back.
Studio tintype photo of Civil War soldier, full length, holding his rifle.
Sticker on back reads: "Zaloudek 10-28-72" (original date of donation). Handwriting on back in faint pencil is: "Benjamin McComsey 61 to 65."
Benjamin McComsey volunteered to serve in the Civil War. He was killed Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, MD. This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. See Notes for typed biographical info.
This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. Accompanying this tintype is a perforated paper bookmark with cross-stitched "A Present for Bennie." Typed biographical info is:
"This is the chief treasure of the McComsey family. Young son Benjamin volunteered to serve in the Civil War, and these letters (In Archives) tell the story of the remainder of his life.
Benjamin was the son of William McComsey, who was City Treasurer of Lanc. in the late 1880's. A descendant of Mathias McComsey, who was born in Manor Township in 1787. Benjamin's mother was Mary Dorwart, daughter of Henry, a tailor in Lancaster.
Benjamin died Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, Md. in the 18th year of his life. He is buried in the McComsey plot at Lancaster Cemetery."
Additional items given by this donor are 1972.026.1-.5. This includes a wedding hat, pair of lady's snow glasses and three shawls.
Orange covers with black ink illustration of Atlas holding the globe with the title: "Introduction to Monteith's Manual of Geography". Book 2 in the "National Geographical Series". Along sides of front cover: "Monteith and Mc Nally's Series." Published "New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1868." 54 pages of maps and illustrations, some with color, along with 77 lessons and exercises followed by review and a pronouncing vocabulary. Last page (62) is advertisement for a new outline globe. Back cover advertises publishers' "National Series of Standard School-books."
"Mr. Henry R. Lutz/ Dec 2 187?/ Onward" Below, written in a later pen, "Father of Parke H. Lutz"
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Book, Instruction
Material
Paper
Height (cm)
1.27
Height (ft)
0.0416666667
Height (in)
0.5
Length (cm)
22.225
Length (ft)
0.7291666667
Length (in)
8.75
Width (cm)
16.8275
Width (ft)
0.5520833333
Width (in)
6.625
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2018-10-22
Condition Notes
Front cover warped and liquid stains on some pages. Tear in black fabric spine. Some pencil scribbles inside front cover and drawing on next to last page. Heavy wear on corners; back top corner broken.