North Wales Record, Unknown Date

The Johnson Farm--Gwynedd

At a short distance west of the State Road, near the eastern boundary of Gwynedd, and one and three-quarter miles eastward of North Wales, stands an ancient log house now the property of John B. Johnson. The property attached comprises 108 acres, bounded on the northeast by the new road separating the townships of Montgomery and Gwynedd. The surface is nearly level, except as light depression of meadow land, through which flows a rivulet forming the head waters of a considerable but nameless stream, which joins the Wissahickon two and a half miles southwest, on the opposite side of the township. The farm forms part of a summit level separating the drainage towards the Wissahickon and the Neshaminy to the eastward. This house is one of the oldest in the township- though exactly how old nobody knows, but was erected long before the Revolution The probabilities are that upon this site lived Hugh Evans, who owned these lands from 1709 to 1737. In this case the present dwelling may have been preceded by an older one. The spring of water decided the location, and about the ancient house upon the meadow bank are several pear trees the have produce fruit for by-gone generations.

A portion of the early history of this property has already been recounted in the story of the Bowman farm, related in the RECORD some years ago by the present writer. Both farms, as well as part of the Kulp place and other lots along the State Road, were originally included under one ownership, but the indications are that the Johnson farm was the homested during the early portion of the last century. This place was first detached as long as 1737. To go back to the beginning, it was originally included in the patent of 1,049 acres received by Thomas Evans in 1702, extending across the township and of which this formed the northeast end. In 1705 Thomas Evans granted to his son Robert part of this, comprising of 298 acres. In 1709 Robert Evans conveyed these 298 acres to his brother Hugh Evans. The latter held possession 26 years. It is nit generally known even to local historians, nor has it before been noticed in the sketches of the homesteads of the township that a Welshman named Robert Lloyd, who lived here for nearly a quarter of a century. In 1737 Hugh Evans sold 150 acres, or half his tract, to Lloyd, who retained possession till 1761. We know nothing about Lloyd except that in the records of the Friends is mentioned his marriage in 1735 to Catharine, daughter of Robert Humphrey, of Gwynedd. After the Welsh ownership had thus lasted for sixth years, Robert Lloyd sold the farm to Adam Hoffman, a miller, in 1761. Hoffman came to Gwynedd form Worcester. At the latter date Lloyd had removed to Blockley, Philadelphia. At the date of 1737, when Hugh Evans transferred to Lloyd, the former has already removed to Merion. He sold the 150 acres for just that many pounds. The boundaries then were: “Beginning at a hickory in line dividing Gwynedd from Montgomery township; thence south west by the Cadwallader Evans’ land 120 perches; thence northwest by other land of Hugh Evans 196 perches; thence northeast by land of Ellis Roberts, deceased, 120 perches; thence southeast 205 perches by the dividing Gwynedd from Montgomery township.” The deed was witnessed by John Thomas and Richard Lloyd before Edward Roberts. The deed of 1761 form Lloyd to Hoffman was witnessed by Rowland Evans and Jacob, before William Allen, Chief Justice of the Province. The property by this time sold for nearly double its former value, bringing 295 pounds. Quite possibly this was caused by buildings having been erected during Lloyds’ ownership. John Evans then held the land below State road. Richard Davis, and Jesse Evans, the tailor, are mentioned as owners on the southwest side. Hoffman, however, was only a temporary owner, for we find that in 1763 he transferred it to another German named John Knipe for 287 pounds- a price indicating that there were buildings upon it, according to the standard of value of those days. This is the earliest mention of the Knipe family in the township that we have found, and in which are now many descendants of this John Knipe. They were Lutherans, and his children were prominent members of the Old Yellow Church. Here are the boundaries of the property in 1763, a dozen years before the Revolution: “ Beginning at a hickory tree, diving the township of Gwynedd and Montgomery; thence southwest by and of John Evans 120 perches; thence northwest 196 perches by the land of Richard Davis and John Evans; thence by land of John Thompson northeast 120 perched; thence along the said township line southwest 205 perches to beginning.” The deed was signed before the Horsham Justice, Archibald McClean. It will be seen that Richard Davis and John Evans held the strip of land separating the Bowman and Johnson farms, bounded by the cross road and now partly included in the places of Isaac Kulp and the farm recently purchased by John Shaw of the Moore estate. John Thompson held the farm now Caroline Meredith’s, than comprising part of the Moore far.

John Knipe was the owner during the Revolutionary period, and lived there nearly the same period as did High Evans and Robert Lloyd. In 1789 he made his last will, 20 tears after his purchase, though his death did not take place until 1792. In the same year Christian Knipe purchased the Bowman farm. In his last will John Knipe directed “that the part of the estate where I now dwell” be given to his son David; to his son Joseph fifty acres on the back part of my plantation. If he declines to take it, it shall go to my son Frederick.” On the 2nd of June, 1792 five disinterested parties, John Evans, Evan Jones, Frederick Conrad, George Sheive and Jacob Wismer made an appraisement of the 50 acres, and valued it at 262 pounds, 10 shillings Upon this part there were no buildings. This son of Jacob refused to take the tract, and instead, Frederick accepted it. Three years later, in 1795, Frederick sold half of it to his brother David for 131 pounds: What became of the other half does not appear, though it is now part of the Shaw property. Joseph Knipe removed elsewhere and was destined to long life. His death took place in 1855, at the great age of 88 years. David Knipe died in middle life, in 1806. at the age of 45 years. At a much later period, in 1830, his heirs, including Hannah, wife of William Burney, conveyed the property, than comprising 112 acres, to their brother John Knipe. Shortly afterwards it was sold to one Charles I. Colloday after being held by the Knipe family for nearly sixty years. Colloday had also bought one of the present Armstrong farms, over the Montgomery border. He was unfortunate in his financial affairs, and in 1832 Sheriff Henry Lonaker seized his farm. John B. Johnson of North Liberties, Philadelphia, purchased the farm on the Gwynedd side for $16 per acre, or $1,795 for the whole. Mr. Johnson was well known to the present generation of his neighbors, and resided here during the remainder of a long life. He was a Lutheran and a prominent member of the Old Yellow Church. From the inception of its Sunday school about 1830, he was its superintendent, continuing to fill that position for the next twenty years. His last will was made in 1876, and his death took place December 1st, 1878, at the age of 82 years. His son Frank Johnson resided on the farm for many years. John B. Johnson, a grandson of the deceased, purchased the property, comprising 108 acres, of the heirs in 1883, and is the present owner.

Transcribed by William C. Regli February 26, 2004

Source: Montgomery County Historical Society Scrap Book 92, Page 10 D Shelf 7

Notes

Relationship to John B. Johnson- Mother Beatrice Helen Johnson, Grandfather Walter Monroe Johnson, Great Grandfather George Burnand Knipe Johnson, GG Grandfather John Burnand Johnson, GGG Grandfather William Burnand Johnson.

John Knipe is also a GGG Grandfather through two lines- John B. Johnson married Catharine Knipe, daughter of David Knipe. Samuel Fleck (GG Grandfather) married Abigail Booz Knipe, daughter of Frederick Hoffman Knipe.

Most of these relatives are Lutheran and they are buried in the Old Yellow Church grave yard and St. John’s in Worcester.

Submitted by: Bill.