was made from a species of grass never before used for that purpose. Soon women, and a great number of children at the public school in the city, mastered the art of plaiting the straw. The grass from which the hat was made grew abundantly, at that time, in Lancaster county. Joel Lightner, Jr., was

attorney from 1839-1845 and negotiated for the loan that enabled Lancaster city to build the “water works” in the 1830s. Sarah Cox, her maternal grandmother, was a known philanthropist and for years helped to manage the Home for Friendless Children in Lancaster. Her sister, Ellen Fordney Franklin, was a

, 1727-1879, detail the exchange of property to and from the Gibbons family mostly within Lampeter Township and Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County. Other family papers, 1799- 1871, include narratives about the Gibbons family, a membership certificate for the Independent Order of Good Templars, and

staff assistance.) Folder 2 Deed from Melcher and Mary Cook of New Design, Earl Twp. to Leonard Stone of Earl Twp., a cordwainer, for 11 perches of land in New Design. 24 April 1765. Folder 3 Deed from Leonard and Mary Stone of Earl Twp. to Melcher Cook of New Design, Earl Twp., a laborer, for 12