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
Pick(possibly a hammer) with wooden handle and cast iron head. Head is symmetrical with flat ends tapering to a point. One side of the head is stamped "CROSSLE[Y]/PHILA". Narrower neck with a thicker bootom as the handle. Handle and head both appear to be lacquered. Octagonal handle surface.
Pick (possibly a hammer) with wooden handle and cast iron head. Head is symmetrical with flat ends tapering to a point. One side of head is stamped: "[J]RADY/[L]ancaster PA". Wooden handle with narrower neck. "R" on bottom of handle. Both handle and head appear to be lacquered. Round handle.
Pick (possibly a hammer) with a wooden handle and a cast iron head. Head is symmetrical with flat ends tapering to a point. Both sides of the head are stamped "J. LAN/MAKE" and "J.LA/MAKE". Narrowneck. "R" inscribed on the bottom of handle. Handle and head appear to be lacquered. Rounded handle.
Bore gole from beetle about 6 inches from the top of the ehad. Some rust appearing on iron. Wood slightly chipping around the handle and head where they adjoin.
Object ID
2016.999.4
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Self-made tool box, tinned sheet metal, rectangular form with hinged coffin lid (domed), copper hasp, hollow, shallow compartment in the bottom of box with opening at one end. Bail wire handle at top with wood grip. Box holds 20 metal worker's tools.
Made by metal sheet worker William J. Eppley of Lancaster City for his own use.
Provenance
Maker to daughter Ruth Eppley Ganse (1910-1949, Mrs. Charles N. Ganse) to son Robert ? Ganse to wife, the donor.
Well used with tin worn; has discoloration, dents, abrasions, deformed areas, corrosion especially inside, copper hasp deformed and bent with wear. Some solder repairs have been made to failing joints/seams.
Hammer head of nickel-plated steel with highly polished surface, handle missing. Elongated form has both ends tapering down from a central swell. Corners are chamfered. Both ends of hammer head have a flattened face with faceted edges. At center of bottom is an open socket for handle with a metal wedge mounted inside. Sole decoration is an incised diamond centered at both top and bottom.
Used for the destruction of the Shober Stables to build the YMCA.
In 1896, this hammer was auctioned off by the YMCA to the highest bidder for the ceremonial privilege of striking the first blows for the demolition of the old Shober stables. C.G. Schuberth bid $105 to win the privilege. (Charles Schuberth was the proprietor of Lancaster Steam Laundry at 146 E. King St.) The YMCA board had decided on March 14, 1896 to remove the sheds in preparation for erecting a new building on a site at North Queen and Orange Sts., Groundbreaking took place on April 22, 1899.
Collection of six rolls of woven tapes of various widths, lengths, colors and threads/yarns.
A. 1/4" x 37.5", black, white and red linen. Pencil inscription on Kraft paper "label" is "hand woven by grandmother? Hostetter with ?? strings".
B. 1/4" x 32", black, white, blue, red & brown linen. Pencil inscription on Kraft paper "label" is "hand woven? by grandmother? Hostetter with ?? strings".
C. Two lengths of 1.25" wide: 9.5" long & 4" long of red & green wool warp and green linen weft.
D. 1.375" x 20.5", brown, tan & orange cotton on tan linen.
E. 1.375" x 21.5", green, blue-green & tan cotton warp yarns and dark brown weft threads.
F. 1.25" x 19", tan, red & black wool warp yarns and red linen weft.
four squares of hard tack. One square had been broken. Found in envelope which reads, "Hard tack given to Milton S. Royer Company L. Pennsylvania (near Middletown), 6th Volunteers, Camp Meade, August, 27, 1898." Made from flour, water, and salt.
