In Part 1, Goodling writes a concise history with illustrations from the township's earliest days to the end of the 19th century. It lists churches and schools, post offices, trades and businesses and the military. Part II is a genealogical and biographical record of all families living in the township and nearby areas at the time of the 1860 U.S. Census. Supplement Part 1 describes the churches of the township and appendices. Supplement Part 2 contiues the appendices.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-91).
Contents
Early years and background: Morlatton and Birdsborough, 1739-1761 -- Birdsborough Forges, 1762-1770: ironmaster -- Pre-Revolution, 1770-1774: Birdsborough Forges and Hopewell Furnace ironmaster -- Revolutionary years, 1774-1782: political and military/Colonel Mark Bird -- Revolutionary War years, 1774-1782: Industrial/Hopewell Furnace -- Financial ruin, 1782-1788: Delaware Mills/Works, Bucks County -- Exile and death, 1788-1812: Western North Carolina -- Children of Mark and Mary (Ross) Bird -- Photos.
Summary
This work captures the American Revolutionary spirit of Hopewell Furnace's first ironmaster and founder who served as George Washington's quartermaster and provided needed supplies to Washington while he encamped at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777. The book not only contains the complete Bird biography, but also illustrations of Revolutionary war cannon making, original Mark Bird correspondence, a complete bibliography of sources, and photos of Mark Bird's ironmaking pieces and other relevant historic locales. [from the publisher]
