Germantown Old and New

Part 1

Arranged and Printed by the Germantown Independent-Gazette Germantown, Pa.

GERMANTOWN OLD AND NEW

Its Rare and Notable Plants

1904

BY EDWIN C. JELLETT

To CLARA HELEN BAUMANN a native of Germantown whose ancestors beautified it in the past as their successor honors and enriches it in the present.

PREFACE

This outline sketch of our “rare and notable plants” was prepared at the direction of “The Germantown Horticultural Society” and was read at its public meeting of May 9, 1904,--the same later appearing in the columns of the “Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

At the time of writing, there was no thought of publishing the paper, it being hurriedly assembled outside the time required for daily positive duties within the limits of one week,--and was intended only for a simple address.

This will partly explain, if it does not excuse obvious defects, and since I have been urged by several members of the Society named to present the paper in print, I have concluded to send it forth with all its faults from the same types by which it first appeared, asking only that the circumstances be remembered, for no one, I feel confident, is able to satisfactorily present the plants of Germantown in an article so brief,--or more definitely,--I am not able to do so. To the original paper I have added an index, which I hope may not be found superfluous.

For the illustrations which grace our pages, I am indebted to S. Mendelsohn Meehan,--who suggested this paper,--and to Horace F. McCann--who printed it. The faces which familiarly greet us I have added to dignify our work, for past and present they represent the “stuff” which built our town,--preserved it,--and now keep it,--forever famous. Last, but not least, I feel sure we all are pleased with the appearance of our book, and to Erwin W. Moyer, whose skill and good taste reared upon a sub-stratum apparently hopelessly unpromising a structure so creditable, I wish to record my heartiest thanks.

E. C. J.

ILLUSTRATIONS

FRONTISPIECE

Oak tree on Rabbit Lane, near County Line Road. Photograph by Charles Edward Pancoast.

PAGE 23

The “Morris-Littell” House, at southeast corner of Main and High streets. The rear part of this house I believe to have once been the residence of Dr. Christopher Witt.--(E. C. J.) Photo by J. H. Russ.

PAGE 30

George Redles. A remarkable botanist, whose knowledge of our native and cultivated plants is unsurpassed, and whose modesty is equal to his acquirements. Photograph by Mrs. George Redles.

PAGE 33

Wakefield, a notable historic mansion, whose surrounding grounds exhibit many of our finest plants. Etching by Joseph Pennell. Penna. Magazine.

PAGE 44

Naglee Houses. Original houses, exhibiting to the present the stone dwellings of the early settlement. Photograph of “The Philadelphia Times.”

PAGE 48

Weeping Elms. Beautiful specimens shading the entrance to Meehans’ nurseries. Cut from “Meehans’ Monthly.”

PAGE 51

Louis Clapier Baumann, in his day the leading Florist of Germantown, and the first “wholesale grower of cut flowers” for the Philadelphia markets. Photograph copy by E. C. J.

PAGE 57

Part 2

Hemlock Glen of the “Monks,” situated on the Wissahickon, above Kitchen’s Lane. Photograph by E. C. J. From “Meehans’ Monthly.”

PAGE 64

Charles J. Wister, who preserves the traditions of “Grumblethorpe,” and following in the footsteps of an illustrious line, is honored and beloved wherever known. Photograph by Samuel R. Gray.

PAGE 72

Elliston P. Morris, the owner of the “Deshler-Morris” mansion which President Washington occupied, and the possessor also of one of the finest gardens in Germantown. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 74

R. Robinson Scott, an eminent Germantown horticulturist, and the discoverer of the famous fern known as “Scott’s Spleenwort.” Photograph copy by E. C. J. Print of “Fern-Bulletin.”

PAGE 78

Thomas Nuttall, a noted naturalist, lecturer and explorer. An exceedingly rare spleenwort keeps before us his name. From “Botanists of Philadelphia,” by John W. Harshberger, Ph. D.

PAGE 79

“Wyck,” a marvel of quaintness and exquisite beauty. The oldest house and garden in Germantown, and the richest in intellectual associations. Photograph by Gilbert Hindermyer. From “Home and Garden.”

PAGE 83

Johnson Homestead, at northwest corner of Main street and Washington lane, a house renowned in local history, whose garden is its equal in absorbing interest. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 88

Cliveden, the centre of the Germantown battle ground, and the home of many beautiful plants. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 90

Upsala, celebrated for its stately beauty, and its possessions of rare and unique plants. Photograph by J. H. Russ.

PAGE 94

Joseph Meehan, a noted botanist and horticulturist, whose writings form an integral part of our best floricultural magazines. Print of “Floral Exchange.”

PAGE 100

Prof. Thomas Meehan, a noted scientist, educator and writer, the author of the greatest books upon our native flora, and the nestor of American Horticulture. Print of “Meehans’ Monthly.”

GERMANTOWN

RARE AND NOTABLE PLANTS

In the presentation and consideration of our home plants of special interest, it should be kept in mind that nearly all, if not quite all, were transplanted to the positions they now occupy, and that there is here no disposition to compare or contrast with other plants of greater age, of more historic worth, our rare and notable plants of “nature” and cultivation.

Our purpose is rather to show that, with our town’s increase in girth and years, we have had a like advance in intelligence and culture, and that our old mansions, gardens and those who keep them have earned for Germantown the title,--“the most beautiful suburb in America.”

We have no yew trees 3000 years old, no oak trees of 2000 years’ growth, no “Burnham beeches,” nor have we other plants of great age equal to those of older countries and especially England, but such as we have we shall in outline endeavor to present, and direct attention to the fact that they have merited and received the attention of visitors, who have had opportunity for observation abroad. About ten years ago, George Nicholson, curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, London, was the guest of Prof. Thomas Meehan, and spent some time here. After leaving he said:

“Germantown is a place which every foreigner interested in American trees should visit, as the people of this suburb of Philadelphia one hundred years ago were especially interested in the introduction and cultivation of rare trees, and the first cultivated specimens of several American trees were originally planted here, and may still be seen. The roads of Germantown are shaded with beautiful rows of native trees, and behind them stretch the green lawns of innumerable villas.”

John Walter, editor of the London Times, while here expressed similar views, and many other visitors and writers who passed through Germantown have left us a record of their “impressions.”

Part 3

To name all our worthy plants were a hopeless task, and one which I shall not attempt. Our efforts shall be rather to trace the thread of development, and by examples of past and present conspicuous plants to illustrate its growth. To do this properly we should go back to the settlement of the town itself, know the causes which gave it birth, understand the character of its founders and their pursuits--its growth material and intellectual, before we may be able to meet its merits with an equal appreciation.

Alway while walking along our Main street I am reminded of the popular, well-known thoroughfare of Oxford, England, which it strangely suggests, and I sometimes wonder if it was not this ancient street, and not the central highway of Philadelphia, which to our own principal thoroughfare 150 years ago gave us High street, a name by which it was long known. Be this as it may, our Main street in a very striking way resembles its more widely known namesake abroad, a highway Hawthorne described as “the noblest street in England,” and to which “Wordsworth devoted a sonnet to the stream-like windings of that glorious street.”

As I follow our “avenues” pleasing course, I am further reminded of old Edinburgh’s hallowed hill, and as I picture its steep ascent, its numerous historic buildings, its atmosphere of antiquity, I see Sir Walter Scott from his carriage strenuously discoursing upon its wealth of interests to the delight of his guests and his own apparent satisfaction, for to him Edinburgh was home, and to so entertain his friends was “very heaven,” and as I look into the future, I see our own “cannongate” of not one whit less historic value, by one as illustrious, made as widely, and as permanently known.

In olden time it was the custom to approach Germantown only by the “Great Road,” for indeed for a period there was no other way. The original survey map of Germantown, dated October 24, 1683, now in the possession of Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker, is void of side roads or lanes, but this defect immediately after the settlement was remedied, maps following showing lanes to mills, and later maps showing other roads connecting Germantown with important near-by pikes east and west. After Rittenhouse Mill road, and Roberts’ Mill road, one of the most important of later roads was Bensell’s or School House lane connecting our Main street with Ridge road, a favorite route with travelers when the quagmires and quicksands of “3-Mile Run” proved troublesome.

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