Asher “Piney” Earp

By Carol Barclay Clarke

Asher Earp’s death on June 4, 1909 was front page news in his adopted

town of Norristown, Pennsylvania. i The story of his life from the pine

forests of Maryland to the bustling urban borough in Pennsylvania is a

chronicle of the times.

Asher Earp was born in Maryland in February 7, 1834. His parents

were Asher Earp, Sr. and Matilda Adams Earp. Asher, Sr. and Matilda

had six boys and one girl:ii

James (September 20, 1829 – ?)

Benjamin F. ( February 10, 1831 – ?)

Sarah Ann (November 22, 1832 – ?)

Asher, Jr. ( February 7, 1834 – June 4, 1909)

Lewis (April 12, 1835 – June 24, 1849)

John Wesley (1839 - ?)

Francis Asbury (1842 – December 13, 1857)

The first record of Asher that I have discovered is his baptism at

Baltimore’s Light Street Methodist Church on September 9, 1839. iii

Asher, Sr. and Matilda Adams married at the Light Street Methodist

Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The ceremony was performed by

Samuel Brison on September 14, 1828.iv Reverend Brison also married

the following Earps: Jonathan, 1824; Jemina, 1822; Joseph, 1824, and

Susan, 1834.v

Built in about 1796, the Light Street Methodist Church housed the

Lovely Lane Methodist congregation, replacing two previous Lovely Lane

meeting houses.vi Lovely Lane meeting houses are notable because they

were the founding churches of American Methodism. The original Lovely

Lane Chapel was built in 1774. In 1784, the Chapel hosted the

Christmas Conference, which was the birth of the Methodist Episcopal

Church.vii

The Light Street Church, located at the southwest corner of Light

Street and Wine Alley, was described as a “meeting house of spacious

simplicity. It was opposite the fleshpots of the Fountain Inn. Southern

and Union factions of the Methodist conference split into two separate

entities in this building during the opening months of the Civil War”viii

Light Street Methodist Church

It appears that Asher grew up in a family strongly rooted in their

Methodist beliefs. His brother John Wesley Earp b. 1839 was named

for the founder of Methodism. Brother Francis Asbury Earp (1842 –

1857) was named for the first leader of the American Methodist

Church, Francis Asbury. Francis Asbury was made leader of the

Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States after a meeting of

more than sixty preachers. Additionally, the records of the Lovely Lane

Church have James, Benjamin, Sarah Ann and Lewis baptized with Asher

on September 9, 1839 by the Reverend Isaac P. Cook.

The 1840 Census finds the family of Asher Earp in Anne Arundel

County, Maryland.ix This census does not give names and specific ages

for each household resident, but the general breakdowns are listed

below. (I have included the probable family members beside each age

listing. The date of the Census is not clear, so the ages are based only

on the year of birth and year of Census. The age could be off if the

birthday did not precede the census.)

Males

20 – 30 one (Asher, Sr)

10 – 15 one (James, 11)

5 – 10 two (Benjamin 9, Asher 6)

0 - 5 two (Lewis 5, John Wesley 1)

Females

20 – 30 one (Matilda)

5 – 10 one (Sarah Ann 8)

The Census indicates that four of the household members were engaged

in manufacture and trade. Unfortunately, there is no indication which

family members were so employed. It is reasonable, however, to

assume that Asher, Sr. and James were among the employed. If the

oldest family members were included, then Matilda and Sarah Ann would

make the other two. If the women were not working then Asher, Jr.

and Benjamin would be the next likely members of the family to be

working. It is interesting to note that the Methodist church had female

preachers as early as the time of John Wesley. Perhaps that would

indicate less reluctance for the women in the household to be working.

According to “The James Earp Family of Maryland by Charles Albert

Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,” Asher, Sr. went into the iron

business, like his brothers. “In the period from 1836 to 1841, the

Anne Arundel County land deeds include numerous transactions involving

Asher Earp. He bought part of the tracts known as “Hanover” and

“Hockley” which were near Rockburn, sold a lot in Elk Ridge, bounded by

the Melville Methodist Church cemetery and the Baltimore and Ohio RR.

The “Hockley” transactions were in the Howard District of Anne Arundel

County, which later became Howard County.” x

According to the Howard County web page,” Elkridge, located in the

eastern most tip of Howard County, is probably the oldest settlement in

the county. Elk Ridge Landing referred to the shipping docks and

concentrations of population along the Patapsco River (navigable into the

1800’s), while Elk Ridge referred to a ridge line stretching west to

Doughoregan Manor and south to Oakland Mills.

Planters brought their tobacco “hogsheads” (large barrels weighing as

much as 900 pounds when filled) to the landing to load them aboard

large sea vessels bound for England. The farmer would pack his crop

into the hogshead and roll them with the help of mules or oxen to the

wharves at the landing.

Second in importance to tobacco at Elk Ridge was the iron industry.

When Captain John Smith first ventured up the Chesapeake Bay and the

Patapsco River in 1608, he noted the red clay in the hills along the

river. The colonial province’s assembly passed an act in 1719 to

encourage iron manufacturing.

Caleb Dorsey began to mine ore along the Patapsco and was owner of Elk

Ridge Furnace established in 1750. He helped establish the port of Elk

Ridge to ship his products to England. With this, Elk Ridge Landing

became second only to Annapolis among Anne Arundel County seaports in

the mid – 1700s.

The iron industry declined by the mid- 1800s due to an inconsistency in

U.S. tariff’s and competition abroad. After the iron works closed, the

land along Deep Run spawned a grove of willows, which later provided a

resource for another industry. The willow canes were harvested and

woven into baskets in the early 1900s.” xi

Life for the family changed dramatically in September, 1842, when

Ashur Earp, Sr. died at the probable age of 47. Asher, Sr. left his

wife Matilda and the seven children ranging from James, who would turn

13 within weeks of his father’s death to Francis Asbury who was born in

1842.xii Asher, Jr. was eight years old. It is not known where Asher,

Sr. is buried, but a likely choice is the Melville Methodist Church in Elk

Ridge, Maryland. There are many Earps in the cemetery at the church,

although no grave is marked for Asher.

POSSIBLE ADDITION – DISCUSSION OF MELVILLE METHODIST

CHURCH

Asher Senior left no will, but did leave at least one debt. In 1844,

Eliphalet Parsonsxiii filed a lawsuit against Matilda and the children for

payment of that debt.

DETAIL LAWSUIT

Matilda married Nathaniel Montell on September 5, 1849 in Baltimore. xiv

The 1850 Census finds Matilda living in the first district of Baltimore

County with her new husbandxv. I would note that the Census indicates

Matilda is married to Samuel Markle, however, subsequent years make it

clear that the name was Montell. Household residents on September 10,

1850 were listed as:

Samuel Markle, 39, Puddler

Matilda, 38

James Earps, 20, Puddler

Benj. 18, Nailer

Sarah, 17,

Ashe, 15

John, 11

Francis, 8

Columbus Markle, 4 months

A puddler is an iron worker. “Samuel” was from Pennsylvania, the

remaining household members were from Maryland.

There is an interesting twist in the 1850 Census, raising questions about

the family and how they were adjusting to the loss of Asher, Sr. In

1840, the next household in the Census enumeration belonged to

Benjamin Walters. In 1850, Benjamin Walters is still in Anne Arundel

County, in the Howard District (the Howard District would later become

Howard County). When the Census was conducted on August 1, 1850

residents of his household were listed as:xvi

Benjamin Walters, 39, Lawyer

Christina Walters, 38

Virginia Walters, 12

Joseph Walters, 10

Benjamin Walters, 8

Agnes Walters, 6

William Walters, 4

Benjamin Earp, 17, nailer

Sarah A. Earp, 16

The listing of Benjamin and Sarah with the Walter’s family presents

several possible scenarios. It appears that Benjamin was employed. In

fact, it is likely that he had been employed for more than 10 years,

even though he was only 17. Perhaps he and Sarah stayed in Anne

Arundel County due to employment. It is possible that Matilda included

them in the Census enumeration, even though they were living with the

Walters family. Another scenario is that there is a familial connection

with the Walters. I have not found any evidence of this. Finally, it is

possible that Benjamin and Sarah were simply counted twice because

they were in each location during the enumeration.

There is no specific evidence of when Asher left Maryland for

Norristown, Pennsylvania. However, at the time of his death, the

newspaper indicated he had been in Norristown for about 60 years. If

that is accurate, he must have begun his journey in the early part of

the 1850’s.xvii

RESEARCH NORRISTOWN DIRECTORIES TO DETERMINE WHEN

ARRIVED

For an iron worker, Norristown, Pennsylvania was a logical destination.

Located about sixteen miles northwest of the City of Philadelphia,

Norristown is located on the east side of the Schuylkill River. About

two square miles in size, the borough has about two miles of frontage on

the Schuylkill River. Clearly, this river access led to its rise as a

manufacturing center.xviii

Norristown saw a great deal of growth in the 19th century. Its

population was reported as 827 in 1820. This had grown to 2,937 in

1850 and 6,024 in 1860.

Asher’s obituary indicates that he was employed at the mill owned by

James Hooven. The Norristown Iron Works was the largest industry in

Norristown, covering four acres of ground fronting four hundred feet on

Washington Street, and running back thence to the river Schuylkill. It

had its origin in 1846, the pioneers being Moore & Hooven. In 1854,

Mr.Moore retired, leaving the business in the hands Mr. Hooven, who

has increased the productive capacity of the mill from two thousand five

hundred to five thousand tons of finished work per annum. In 1870 he

erected a blast furnace in connection with the rolling-mill, and 1878

erected mills for the manufacturer of wrought-iron pipe. The power is

derived from seven engines and twenty-two boilers, of combined power

of five hundred horses There are six double puddling and three heating

furnaces. Two hundred and fifty are employed in the works; the payroll

amount to fivet housand dollars a week, and the value of the property is

estimated at five hundred and five thousand dollars.

DISCUSS INDUSTRY and HISTORY of Norristown.

REWORK THIS SECTION

REVIEW BEAN’S HISTORY

Asher married Mary Jones on January 14, 1856. Reverend J. F.

Meredith performed the wedding ceremony.xix At the time of their

marriage, Asher was 22 years old, while Mary was 18. Reverend

Meredith was the first pastor of the Oak Street Methodist Episcopal

Church. The congregation was organized in 1854 and its building was

completed in 1855. There was a “brick edifice” and a “neat

parsonage.”xx

Mary’s family was from Wales. Her parents were Sarah

Pritchett/Pritchard Jones and Daniel/Thomas Jones.xxi She was born at

sea, en route from Wales, June 3, 1837. xxii Mary and Asher had at

least one thing in common, both of them had lost their fathers.

DISCUSSION OF JONES FAMILY

The Earp family began to grow with the birth of their first daughter,

Sarah Matilda Earp on September 16, 1857. Sarah Matilda was named

for her grandmothers, Sarah Jones and Matilda Adams Earp Montell.

It may have been a bittersweet time for Asher, as his mother Matilda

died September 12, 1857, just four days before the birth of his

daughter.xxiii Their second daughter, Clara, was born December 11,

1859.

June 23, 1860, the Earp household was enumerated for the 1860

Census.xxiv Household residents in Norristown, Montgomery County were:

Ashe Erp, 25, Pudler

Mary Erp, 22

Sarah Erp, 2

Clara, 6 months

Sarah Jones, 52,laborer, England

Catharine Jones, 18

Daniel Jones, 16, Nail cutter

Job Jones, 12

Jepe Keeler, 33, cooper

Sarah Jones, was Mary’s mother; Catherine, Daniel and Job were

Mary’s sister and brothers. The Census called Sarah Jones, her

children and Keeler a separate family, although living in the same home.

Both Asher and Sarah reported personal estates valued at $100.

Throughout the remainder of their lives, the members of the extended

family would live together at various times.

As the young family with two daughters continued to build their lives,

the nation was faced with its greatest crisis – the Civil War. The

Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861. Eight

days after Abraham Lincoln’s March 4, 1861 inauguration, Confederate

forces opened fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Robert E. Lee was

offered the command of the Union Army on April 15, 1861, the same

day President Lincoln called for 75,000 militiamen. Five days later, Lee

resigned from the Union Army and accepted the command of the forces

of Virginia. Southern states began seceding from the Union. July 4,

1861, Congress called for a force of 500,000 men. That summer, the

Union was defeated in battles at Bull Run, Big Bethel, Wilson’s Creek

and Lexington, Missouri.xxv

Asher’s younger brother John Wesley Earp answered the call of his

nation and enrolled in the Union Army September 16, 1861 at

Norristown. One month later on October 16 he mustered in as a private

at Harrisburg. His records indicate he was 19 at the time of

enlistment. (My records place him at 21) xxvi John was described as 5

feet, 6 inches tall. He had blue eyes, a florid complexion and dark

hair. Later in life, when he was requesting a pension in 1895 he was

116 pounds.xxvii

I have not found John Wesley in the 1860 Census. However, his

enlistment from Norristown makes it likely to presume that he was in

close contact with his older brother Asher, perhaps even being a part of

the family for a while. Or, perhaps, they were working together as

John was a puddler when he entered the service.

John Wesley Earp served in the Band for Company F, the 51st

Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged near Culpepper,

Virginia August 17, 1862. Fortuitously, John Wesley was discharged just

two weeks before the second battle of Bull Run in Virginia.xxviii

Asher and Mary’s third daughter, Katherine was born July 12, 1862.xxix

Early in the summer of 1863, there was heightened concern that the

border states would be invaded by Confederate forces. Pennsylvania

Governor Curtin called for volunteers to serve at the pleasure of the

President.

”Slow to believe that their homes were really endangered, the

greatly reduced number of men available for military service

hesitated to respond. On June 12, the governor published the

notice that the troops requested would be mustered into the

service of the United States for six months, or during the

existing emergency, as they should themselves elect.

In a short time eight regiments were mustered in for the

"emergency" and became the 20th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 28th, 30th,

31st and 33rd emergency regiments. Other companies and

organizations volunteered their services and need for them was

soon found.

The Confederates had occupied Chambersburg and Gettysburg and

when it was discovered that the main body of their forces had

actually crossed the Potomac, another proclamation was issued

by Gov. Curtin on June 26, calling for 60,000 men at once to be

mustered into the state service for a term of 90 days and to be

discharged as soon as the danger was over.”xxx

It appears that 29 year old Asher Earp responded to this call for

service. Asher and his 19 year old brother-in-law Daniel Jones enrolled

in the service of the Union on June 19, 1863 at Norristown. The next

day, they mustered in as privates with Company H, 34th Regiment in

Reading, Pennsylvania.xxxi

To this urgent message twenty-eight regiments responded and were

organized in the two departments previously mentioned, at

Huntingdon, Reading, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. A force

under Gen. Knipe approached Chambersburg, but found it in the

hands of the enemy and was obliged to retire gradually before

the advance of Johnson's division of Ewell's corps.

The Confederates reached Oyster Point, but were withdrawn to

Gettysburg on account of the advance of the Army of the Potomac

and within a few days was fought the battle of Gettysburg.

A portion of the militia joined the Army of the Potomac in

Maryland after the battle, but were soon afterward returned to

Harrisburg.

The emergency regiments were mustered out soon after the battle

of Gettysburg, the regiments of militia a little later, various

duties within the state requiring their services for a short

time.

Some were employed at Gettysburg, some at Philadelphia in

preserving order, and at other points they rendered valuable

service.xxxii

Asher and Daniel Jones were mustered out of the service on August 10,

1863 having served for forty-two days. xxxiii

Asher’s brother James also served in the Union Forces for a short

period of time. According to his Civil War Service Record, James Earp

was a member of Battery B, Maryland Light Artillery. He was 33 when

he enlisted on June 29, 1863 in Baltimore. James was discharged from

the service on January 16, 1864. James was described as being 5 feet

10 and 3/4 inches tall, with hazel eyes, dark complexion, and iron gray

hair. xxxiv

May, 1865 Asher Earp was assessed a five-percent tax on his income of

$210.00 under the Excise laws of the United States. His tax was

$10.80.xxxv

In May, 1866, Asher Earp’s tax liability was reduced to $2.40, based

on his income of $48.xxxvi

As the war ended, the Earp family continued to grow. Ira Grant Earp

was born April 5, 1865. It may be that Ira’s middle name was in honor

of General Grant. Tragically, Ira died August 17, 1869 at the age of

four.

Emma Earp joined the family as the fourth daughter on November 21,

1867. Elizabeth Mary Earp was born March 9, 1870.xxxvii

The 1870 Census confirmed the growth of the family. The residents of

the household on July 6, 1870 were:

Esher Erp, 36, pudler

Mary, 32

Matilda, 12

Clara, 10

Kate, 7

Emma, 2

Mary Elizabeth, 2 months

Sarah Jones, 61, Wales

Kate, 29, works in woolen mill

Job 22, works in Rolling Mill

The amount of information available from the 1860 Census increased

dramatically from the simple enumerations prior to 1850. With this

Census we learned that Asher had real estate valued at $1,600 and

other assets worth $300. This is also the first public indication I have

found that Mary Jones Earp was born at sea. The Census also indicates

that Mary could neither read nor write. Her mother and siblings were

reported as being able to read, but not able to write. Matilda, Clara

and Kate all attended school during the year. xxxviii

LOCATION OF SIBLINGS IN 1870

A second son, Franklin was born October 6, 1872. He died May 5,

1874. A third son, Raymond was born August 15, 1876. As did his

brothers, Raymond also died as a child. He was four years old when he

died October 20, 1879. xxxix

The sixth daughter, Edith Earp, was born July 31, 1879 and completed

the Earp family. xl

By 1880, only Asher, Mary and their daughters were living at the home

at 521 Barbadoes Street, Norristown, PA. The residents were:

Asher Earp, 45, Works in Rolling Mill

Mary Earp, 42, Keeping House

Matilda Earp, 22, Works in Tacks Factory

Clara Earp, 20, Works in Tacks Factory

Kate Earp, 17, Works in Cotton Mill

Emma Earp, 12, Apprenticed to Dressmaking

Elizabeth Earp, 9

Edith Earp, 10 months

Asher had been unemployed three months during the past year. Matilda

and Clara had each been unemployed for six months during the past

year. xli

The Earp girls were able to visit their grandmother Sarah quite easily,

because she lived only a few houses away. Living with Sarah, were

Mary’s sister Catherine and her brothers Job and Daniel. Also living in

the house were Daniel’s sons, Edward and Job. Daniel’s wife, Lizzie,

died January 10, 1873. xlii

The Census listed for the Jones household is:

Sarah Jones, 70, keeping house, Wales/Wales/Wales

Job Jones, 30, works in rolling mill, PA/Wales/Wales

Catherine Jones, 28, PA/Wales/Wales

Daniel Jones, 33, laborer, PA/Wales/Wales

Edward Jones, 12, gson, Pa/Pa/PA

Job Jones, 7, gson, Pa/PA/PA

Job was unemployed for eight months in the year preceding the Census

on June 1, 1880. xliii

At this point, I do not know when the families moved to Barbadoes

Street. However, even though both homes have been razed, we can get

a pretty good idea of what the homes looked like. An examination of

the Montgomery County Assessment data, shows that 521 Barbadoes is

now owned by the Borough of Norristown. The lot has 16 front feet

and is 2,880 sq. feet. xliv 521 seems to be a bit larger than the other

lots on the block which generally measure 13 front feet and 1,363

square feet. The block is made up of brick row homes constructed in

1825. For example, 518 Barbadoes has 4 bedrooms, 1 bath and is 2.5

stories. There is 1,177 square feet of living area.xlv Imagine what it

must have been like for a family of eight – including six daughters!

AUNT MARGARET DIARY REFERENCE TO GARRET

Clara Earp married William H. Hallman on the evening of October 26,

1881. The marriage was performed by Rev. M.A. Day at the Methodist

Episcopal Parsonage.xlvi

Sarah Matilda Earp married William Daniel Clarke on February 2, 1886.

She married at her family home at 521 Barbadoes Street in Norristown.

William Daniel was the son of William Green Clarke and Margaret

Elizabeth Milstead Clarke.

Like Asher Earp, William Green Clarke came to Norristown from

Maryland. William Green Clarke was from Laurel, Maryland. He came

to Norristown with his family during the 1870s. In 1880 the Clarke

family lived on Moore Street. Both William Green and William Daniel

worked in a cotton mill.xlvii

Asher and Mary became grandparents on November 21, 1886 with the

birth of Mary Milstead Clarke. Asher was 52, Mary was 49. xlviii

The year was not without sadness, however. Mary’s mother, Sarah

Jones, died in 1886. She is buried at Montgomery Cemetery, Lot C-

43. The marker is inscribed Sara Jones, 1810 – 1886.xlix

INSERT PHOTO OF SARA GRAVE

Daughter Kate Earp married John Gehringer on December 18, 1888 at

Mount Kirk Manse. The wedding was performed by Rev. H.

Rodenbough.l

Unfortunately for the chroniclers of family history, the Census from

1890 was largely lost in a fire. A good substitute, however, are City

Directories.

The Directories from Norristown give a good indication that the Earp

household was crowded. The 1888-90 Directory has the following listed

for the home at 521 Barbadoes:

Asher Earp, hammerman

Emma Earp, dressmaker

Ambrose Famous, carder

Edward Jones, catcherli

Edward is likely Mary’s nephew. He would have been in his early

twenties. He lived with Sarah Jones in 1880.

Ambrose Famous was the husband of Emma Earp. They married in

1888. Their first two children were born during this period. Carl W.

Famous was born December 30, 1888; he died July 8, 1889. Hazel

Famous was born October 13, 1890 and died February 27, 1891. Both

are buried at Montgomery Cemetery in Lot R-164.lii

The 1892,1893 Directory shows some changes in the household listing.

Asher Earp, hammerman

Lizzie M. Earp, tack packer

Ambrose Earp, carder

Edward Jones, catcher

Job Jones, barberliii

Of course, Mary Jones Earp was a household resident during this

period. It is also probable that Lizzie (Elizabeth Mary) also resided

with her parents during this time. She never married and does not have

another listing in the Directories. It may be that she was not employed

during 1888- 91.

The Famous family grew in October 1892 with the birth of daughter

Edith Miriam Famous.liv

Asher Earp was called to serve on the October 14, 1895 Traverse

Jury.lv

The century began on a sad note for the Earp family. Mary Jones Earp

died February 15, 1900 of diabetes. She was buried at Montgomery

Cemetery on February 19, 1900.lvi

INSERT GRAVESTONE OF MARY

June 2, 1900, the residents of 521 Barbadoes Street included:

Asher Earp, 66, Clerk of Works

Mary E. 30, Tack Packer

Edith M.20, Tack Packer

Catherine Jones, 58, Housekeeper

Job Jones, 52lvii

Although Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) was the only daughter at home, the

others were not far away. Sarah Matilda and her family lived at 501

Barbadoes Street. Emma and her family were also in the 500 block of

Barbadoes.

DETAIL LOCATION OF OTHER DAUGHTERS AND PROXIMITY TO

EARP HOUSEHOLD

The 1900-1902 Montgomery County Directory has a listing for Asher

Earp, puddler, 521 Barbadoes. (p.14)

Asher T. Earp died at his residence, on June 4, 1909. The account in

the paper read:

Asher T. Earp, aged 75 years, died yesterday at his residence,

No. 521 Barbadoes Street. Deceased had been in poor health for

a number of months. Death was due to Bright’s disease. Mr.

Earp had been clerk of the borough markets for a number of

years. He was compelled to resign less than a year ago, owing to

poor health.

Deceased was born among the pines of Maryland and for that

reason his friends and acquaintances nicknamed him “Piney”. He

came to this town about sixty years ago and for a long time he

was employed at Hooven’s rolling mills, being in charge of the large

hammer.

Mr. Earp is survived by six daughters as follows: Mrs. William

Clark, Mrs. William H. Hallman, Mrs. John Gehringer, Mrs.

Ambrose Famous, Miss Elizabeth Earp, and Mrs. Walter Bodey.

Deceased was one of the oldest members of the Fairmount Fire

Company. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon.lviii

Asher Earp was buried next to his wife Mary in Montgomery Cemetery

on June 8, 1909.

This picture was taken at Montgomery Cemetery in 2001. Asher and

Mary’s great great great grandsons Drew Meyers and Zach Walsh are at

their tombstones.

June 10, 1909, Letters of Administration were filed in the death of

Asher Earp.

His will reads as follows:

I, Asher Earp of Norristown County of Montgomery and state of

Pennsylvania being in health of body, and of sound mind, memory and

understanding do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking

and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofor made.

First, it is my will and I order that all my just debts and funeral

expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after

my demise, out of the first money that shall come into the hands of my

Executrix, from any portion of my Estate.

I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife all my Estate Real

Personal and mixed of what nature or kind soever and where soever the

same shall be at the time of my death during her natural life, should

she desire to sell the house where we now reside and purchase a smaller

house or put the proceeds out at interest she can do so, and after her

death the property both real personal and mixed to be sold and the

proceeds thereof to be equally divided among my six daughters share

and share alike, but in case my widow should remarry then in that case

I direct that all my Property both Real Personal and mixed be sold at

once, my widow to take one third of the proceeds thereof and the

balance two thirds to be divided between my six Daughters, share and

share alike and I do nominate and appoint my wife sole executrix of this

my last will and testament. In witness whereof I Asher Earp, the

Testator, have to this my will set my hand and seal this 16th day of

June 1891.lix

The will is handwritten by Asher and the original is in the records of

the Montgomery County Archives.

i Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1

ii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

Asher Earp Tombstone, Montgomery Cemetery, Norristown, Montgomery County

Pennsylvania, Lot G-65

10196: Eliphalet Parsons vs. Matilda Earp, James Earp, Benjamin Earp, Sarah Ann

Earp, Asher Earp, Louis Earp, John Worthey Earp, and Francis Asbury Earp. Howard

District. Estate of Asher Earp - Hockley, Rockburn. Recorded (Chancery Record) 165,

p. 301. Accession No.: 17,898-10196 MSA S512-13-10072 Location: 1/39/2/

Maryland State Archives

iii Church records, Lovely Lane Methodist Church, Maryland Historical Society Library

Baltimore, Maryland

iv Church records, Lovely Lane Methodist Church, Maryland Historical Society Library

Baltimore, Maryland

v The James Earp Family of Maryland, Charles Albert Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,

1994, Maryland Hall of Records Library, Annapolis, Maryland, #28354, 450 E C-2

vi Light Street Methodist Church description, from unnamed book of historic structures

in Baltimore at Maryland Historical Society Library, Baltimore, p. 17

vii http://www.gcah.org/Heritage_Landmarks/Lovely.htm, Lovely Lane Meetinghouse

Site, Baltimore, Maryland

The Methodist church in the United States began with the congregation on Lovely

Lane. In 1786 or 1794 the Lovely Lane congregation moved to Light Street. A final

move was made to the current location at 2200 St. Paul Street. At various times the

church and its congregation were referred to as Lovely Lane Methodist, Light Street

Methodist, and First Methodist. Now, the congregation is recognizing its roots and is

the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.

viii Light Street Methodist Church description, from unnamed book of historic

structures in Baltimore at Maryland Historical Society Library, Baltimore, p. 17

ix 1840 Census, Maryland, Anne Arundel County, District 4, p. 198, Roll M704_157,

Ancestry Image 204

x The James Earp Family of Maryland, Charles Albert Earp and Irmalee Earp Williams,

1994, Maryland Hall of Records Library, Annapolis, Maryland, #28354, 450 E C-2

xi http://www.howardcounty.com/history.htm

xii 10196: Eliphalet Parsons vs. Matilda Earp, James Earp, Benjamin Earp, Sarah Ann

Earp, Asher Earp, Louis Earp, John Worthey Earp, and Francis Asbury Earp. Howard

District. Estate of Asher Earp - Hockley, Rockburn. Recorded (Chancery Record) 165,

p. 301. Accession No.: 17,898-10196 MSA S512-13-10072 Location: 1/39/2/

Maryland State Archives

xiii Eliphalet Parsons appeared elsewhere in my family history. My mother, Lois Weigel

Barclay, was delivered by Dr. Charles J. Morrell. Dr. Morrell was Emma Fraley’s first

cousin. Emma was my mother’s grandmother, so Dr. Morrell was Mom’s first cousin

twice removed.

Dr. Morrell’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Scarlett. Joseph Scarlett was tried

for treason as part of the Christiana Riots of 1851. The Riots were caused by a

Maryland slaveowner, Edward Gorsuch, endeavoring to retrieve several runaway slaves

who were residing in Christiana, Pennsylvania. During the encounter, Gorsuch was

killed. An account of the event describes the return of his body to Maryland.

Meantime the dead body of Edward Gorsuch was taken by

rail to Columbia, and via York on the Northern Central

Railroad, to Monkton, where a throng of mourning neigh-

bors met it and great local excitement prevailed. There being

no convenient hearse and the distance too long for pall-

bearers, it was carried by the four-horse team of Eliphalet

Parsons to Mr. Gorsuch's home.co

py]

Excerpted from, The Christiana Riot and Treason Trials of 1851, An Historical

Sketch, W.U. Hensel, New Era Printing Company, Lancaster, PA, 1911

http://www.law.utexas.edu/lpop/etext/christiana/christiana.htm

xiv Family Search, Vital Records Index – North America, FHL number 13694

xv 1850 Census, Maryland, Baltimore County, 1st District, p. 335, M432_280,

September 10, 1850, Ancestry Image 269

xvi 1850 Census

xvii Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1

xviii Bean’s History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Chapter XLVII, Borough of

Norristown, by Wm. J. Buck, p. 747,

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/montgomery/beantoc.html

xix Norristown Herald NEED SPECIFIC REFERENCE

xx Bean’s History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Chapter XLVII, Borough of

Norristown, by Wm. J. Buck, p. 751,

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/montgomery/beantoc.html

xxi Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

The Book of Family Facts indicates that

xxii 1870 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M593, Roll 1378, Part 1, Page

98A, July 6, 1870.

Mary Jones Earp Tombstone, Montgomery Cemetery, Norristown, Montgomery County

Pennsylvania, Lot G-65

xxiii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

xxiv 1860 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M653, Roll 1144, Part 1, P.

515, June 3, 1860

xxv US Civil War Factbook, 1861, http://www.skalman.nu/uscivilwar/1861.htm,

December 20, 2002, Marcus Wendel

xxvi Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.

(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 2-30, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,

http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives,

xxvii Civil War Service and Pension Records for John Wesley Earp, National Archives,

Washington, D.C., (Certificate Number 781031 Pennsylvania)

xxviii Civil War Service and Pension Records for John Wesley Earp, National Archives,

Washington, D.C., (Certificate Number 781031 Pennsylvania)

xxix Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

xxx The Union Army, Vol. 1, p. 498, viewed at Ancestry.com, American Civil War

Regiments database, Record 2254 of 6175, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-

bin/sse.dll?=&ti=0&db=hdsregiment&f0=2261&f11=Union

xxxi Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.

(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 5-1254, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,

http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives

xxxii The Union Army, Vol. 1, p. 498, viewed at Ancestry.com, American Civil War

Regiments database, Record 2254 of 6175, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-

bin/sse.dll?=&ti=0&db=hdsregiment&f0=2261&f11=Union

xxxiii Samuel P. Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861- 65, 5 vols.

(Harrisburg, 1869 – 71) 5-1254, viewed at Pennsylvania State Archives, ARIAS,

http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archives

xxxiv Civil War Service and Pension Records for James Earp, National Archives,

Washington, D.C. (Certificate Number 809867 Pennsylvania)

xxxv Ancestry.com. US IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 (database on-line)

Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: National

Archive microfilm series M787, NARA Roll 31, Division 16, District 6 of Pennsylvania

xxxvi Ancestry.com. US IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 (database on-line)

Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: National

Archive microfilm series M787, NARA Roll 32, Division 16, District 6 of Pennsylvania

xxxvii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

xxxviii 1870 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, M593, Roll 1378, Part 1, Page

98A, July 6, 1870.

xxxix Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

xl Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,

National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 378A

xli 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,

National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 377D and 378A

xlii Montgomery Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions, Montgomery County Historical

Society

xliii 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery County, Norristown, 1st Ward, FHL Film 1255159,

National Archives Film T9-1159, p. 378A

xliv Montgomery County, PA Board of Assessment, Norristown

http://12.40.122.125/FCP2.WEB8/0/PARCEL?PARCELNO=130003828002

xlv Montgomery County, PA Board of Assessment, Norristown

http://12.40.122.125/FCP2.WEB8/0/PARCEL?PARCELNO=130003736004

xlvi Norristown Times Herald and Free Press, November 1, 1881, p. 3

xlvii 1880 Census, PA, Montgomery, Norristown, T9_1159, FHL 1255159, Page 499C,

ED51, Image 743, June 9, 1880

xlviii It is interesting to compare the age when grandparenthood arrived. Asher’s son-

in-law William Daniel Clarke became a grandfather at the age of 64; William Duval

Clarke, Sr. at 54; William Duval Clarke, Jr. at 55.

xlix Montgomery Cemetery records. Montgomery County Historical Society.

l Norristown Weekly Herald, December 24, 1888, p. 8

li Norristown, Pennsylvania Directories, 1888-93, Ancestry.com database,

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gsfn=&gsln=&gskw=521+Barbadoes&prox=1&

lii Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

Montgomery Cemetery Records, Montgomery County Historical Society

liii Norristown, Pennsylvania Directories, 1888-93, Ancestry.com database,

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gsfn=&gsln=&gskw=521+Barbadoes&prox=1&

liv Book of Family Facts, Mary Milstead Clarke

lv Ambler Gazette, Ambler Montgomery County,PA, Thursday July 18, 1895. p.1

lvi Montgomery County Death Register, 1900, Montgomery County Historical Society

lvii1900 Census, PA, Montgomery, Norristown ED 231, Sheet 2, June 2, 1900

lviii Norristown Daily Herald, Saturday June 5, 1909, Norristown, Pennsylvania, p. 1

lix Last Will and Testament of Asher Earp. Montgomery County Archives, Norristown,

Pennsylvania.