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
Oval, cut photo glued on paper with two bands - concentric, one thicker than the other, around photo. Photo shows four children - three girls sitting in a row, one boy standing to their left, 3/4 front, facing girls. Each girl is holding a different doll.
Photo of Schlauch siblings taken by their father. Written on wood backing the photo: "Ed Schlauch (with drum)/ Alice O. Schlauch (Zell)/ "Lill" Schlauch (Hoover)/ Ida Schlauch (Haag-Steel)/ Taken by their father." Unknown in which direction the girls are named. One can assume the names in parentheses are later married names of the females.
White mat around photo is tan with age, lines of dust in corners and around edges of frame that is open in back. One piece of wood partially covers the back with exposed space on both lengthwise edges.
Wood frame with dark glossy finish and gold painted edge next to glass. Wood exposed on all corners, many scratches throughout.
Sepia-tinted photo of Harriet Lane. Oval. Harriet facing 3/4 front, to her right. Hair rolled under with flowers. Decolletage dress with flowers at center and at shoulders. Light-colored dress, no jewelry. Shown from hips up. Frame: rounded front, plain,
Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
Printed document is a naturalization certificate infilled for "Jacob Dickart" (sic), a prolific gunmaker of Lancaster. Printed on now-brown laid paper, it is a printed form for naturalizing foreigners who did not swear oaths. Now mounted in a modern black frame.
The certificate was designed for non-Quakers who had resided in the Commonwealth for seven years and who had never taken an oath of allegiance to King George II because of conscience, eg. Mennonites, Moravians & other sectarians who believe the Bible prohibits the swearing of oaths. Although Jacob is believed to have been raised in a Lutheran home, he later followed the Moravian faith.
Edward Shippen, Jr., Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the Province of PA filled out this form for Dickert, who appeared before Judges William Atlin, William Coleman, and Alexander Stedman, in Phila. on Sept 24, 1765. An embossed seal is created out of a small square of paper and affixed to the upper left corner of the document.
HJ Kauffman notes that Dickert was born in Mainz, Germany in 1740, came to America with his parents in 1748. Family settled in Berks Co. and later, son Jacob moved to Lancaster in 1756, where he likely apprenticed with the gunmaker Matthias Roessor (as did Wm. Henry). Dickert worked c. 1760-1820. In 1764, he married Johanetta Hofer of York, PA, and the following year he travelled to Phila. to obtain this document. Kauffman states he was active in the Moravian church.
He died 1822.
See G90.7.1 file on Dickert rifle with family info. Transparency of a document with
General signs of age: soiling, minor foxing, dog eared corners with some minor losses. Fold line 3" from top, small holes along bottom. There is a backing of acidic paper which is attached with adhesive.
Mounted in a modern black frame by Lancaster Galleries for 2006 exhibit.
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, showing top half only. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath arm holding torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, zoomed in to show only the top half of the statue."UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath the arm holding the torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
Large black leatherbound volume with boldly molded and decorated boards having tooling and gilt on both boards and spine. On spine is "Schoolcraft's History of Indian Tribes. / Illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S.A. / Part Third." Longer complete title on title page. Henry R. Schoolcraft. Published by authority of Congress by Lippincottt, Grambo & Co.
Gilt edged pages have elaborate impressed floral and scroll designs with centered American shield. Inside of covers is a large pasted-on panelof dark blue felted fabric with foliate designs. End papers have beautiful wallpaper-like, full-color designs of flowers and leaves in gold, green and red. Inscribed in pencil is "JBH Jr." on tissue page covering title page.
Appraiser notes a letter of presentation to Buchanan by Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Oct. 15, 1857. Not presently located (in pages?).
Provenance
Descent within James Buchanan Henry family to donors.
Abrasions and wear; cracking at hinge of front board and spine. Detached back board along with some pages. Most pages have liquid stains at the top; many pages have light to heavy foxing with some acid burn at edges.
Object ID
2013.008.025
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
