"MISSION STATEMENT"
Bolton Mansion is the original home of Phineas Pemberton, close friend to Governor William Penn and founding member of the Fallsington Quaker Meeting. Sailing to the New World with his family in 1682, Pemberton sought to establish his home free from the religious persecution of England. He became an influential leader in the new colony, and his spirit of community activism lives on through the Friends of Bolton Mansion. The purpose of the Friends of Bolton Mansion is to preserve and promote the history and legacy of the Pemberton family. Through historic tours and community events that are open to the public and the restoration of the mansion, the Friends of Bolton Mansion hope to educate visitors and encourage that same spirit of community that Quakers like Phineas Pemberton hoped to create.
"BOLTON'S HISTORY"
Scroll down for the following...
1. Dating the Structure
2. The Pemberton Family
3. The Bolton Farm Property Ownership
"DATING THE MANSION"
"Activity of mind, strong pre-disposition to take part in public affairs, integrity, and intelligence, the Pemberton family for nearly a hundred years was the most prominent in Pennsylvania." 1 The ancestral home of the Pemberton family is located on the Newportville-Fallsington Road in Bucks County and has been known for two hundred and ninety years as "Bolton Farm." Historically and architecturally, the house is one of the most significant in Pennsylvania; nearly every one of its inhabitants since the days of William Penn has influenced the course of history in the state.
Now that the attempted demolition of the house is an issue of the past and restoration work is beginning, a reevaluation of the historical and architectural importance of Bolton Farm is in order.
Bolton Farm has been altered considerably over the course of nearly three centuries of use and what now exists is a complex structure of some twenty-seven rooms built and rebuilt as demands upon it have changed and expanded. Architectural evidence alone is sometimes conflicting and it is not the purpose of this paper to affirm indisputably certain dates of construction and physical appearances. Rather, the purpose is coordinate the architectural evidence at hand with the historical evidence that has been researched up to now, in order to gain a clearer picture of the history of the house as a whole and to elucidate the issues which will become increasingly important as restoration work proceeds.
The first issue to arise is that of the original date of the house. After their families had arrived, on November 17, 1683, Phineas Pemberton purchased five hundred acres of land and built a house, probably of English frame construction which was called Grove place. Finding this location damp and unhealthy, they finished another house in 1687, five miles from the Delaware, the beginning of the Piedmont. This house was called "Pemberton" or Bolton" because the family was from Bouton, Lancashire. This lintel of this house is in the possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society and reads:
P. P. & P. 2 Mo. 1687
This lintel is clearly from a house of English frame construction 2 and since the oldest section of the house is stone, conflicting evidence arises. Several theories are possible. That part of Bolton built by Phineas could have been of English frame construction and later rebuilt in stone in the early eighteenth century. It is also possible that the original house was indeed stone. Several factors become important to this issue. First, as to the validity of the 1687 date, the fireplace in this section is of a very early type (before 1700) being a low Jacobean arch. A strong case exists that is the original fireplace stack of the Phineas Pemberton house. 3 Even if the original walls were taken down at some later date, this fireplace stack validates the 1687 date. Secondly, there is a line in the stone of this section that occurs at the bottom of the second story window sills. It is possible that the 1687 house was one and one half stories in height (either stone or wood) and later raised to two full stories. The one and one half story form of the house would have been more consistent with typical construction of the time. The break line in the stone complete with quoins, indicates that a stone structure did exist at some point independently from the stone section to the east. It is not unlikely that Phineas would have built of stone, after living in the English frame Grove Place. It is possible that the lintel is from Grove Place and not Bolton and that Bolton was indeed originally stone.
A major difficulty in dating stone is that the stone-masons of Bucks County changed their craft little over the course of the eighteenth century. By studying the stone itself, one probably will not learn much. The architectural evidence obtained from doors and windows dates this section at around 1790. Yet we know that is surely existed before this date. The key to this is that when additions were made, the entire structure was "modernized." new windows were added, old wood was replaced. The 1790 date for this section probably indicates its second modernization.
The section to the east of the Phineas Pemberton house has been dated at 1810-1820 4 , after the Federal style west wing was added in 1790. This would mean that for one hundred three years, the house existed only as the original, one-room 1687 house. This is very unlikely, considering the growth of the family in size, wealth, and prominence. By shifting attention from purely architectural evidence to the history of the family, clues to the size and use of the house might be found.
Upon his death in 1702, at the age of fifty-three, Phineas Pemberton's will stated, " I also give, devise, and bequeath unto my son Israel, the housing and lands I now live upon and called by me Pemberton and 354 acres of meadow and upland... my daughter Abigail shall have the chamber over the hall in my now dwelling, herself with fireplace and free liberty of fire and passage into and out of same until she married. My wife Alice shall remain so long as she does not remarry."5
Although, Israel Pemberton, Sr., merchant and politician had a residence in Philadelphia, Bolton was still used as the family homestead, and it seems indeed plausible that the original 1687 section would be far too small to accommodate a family of this size, even if only temporarily. From the history of the family, then, we have a situation which would support the thesis that the eastern portion was built between 1710 and 1739.
Thus, during the eighteenth century, Bolton probably consisted of two sections, one built by Phineas in 1687 and the other by his son Israel upon his success as a merchant, before 1739. The earlier structure was probably one and one half story stone; Israel increased it to two stories, rendering it more consistent in form with early eighteenth century houses in the areas such as the Thompson-Neely house in Washington's Crossing. Wyck in Germantown was built in 1690 and 1720 and is also a long succession of rooms. "This succession of additions helps to explain the irregular placement of doors and windows..."6 After Israel, Sr.'s addition, the house measured 18 by 46 feet, each room on the ground floor having a central south door flanked by two windows. The north facade of the addition had two windows, that of the original house being similar to its south facade. This house served Israel well as a country house. Israel, Sr., had three sons, Israel, Jr., James, and John all of who were successful.
Mary Pemberton-Morris, daughter of James, and her husband Anthony built the west wing of Bolton Farm. The addition is a fine gambrel-roofed example of the Federal Style, consisting of two large parlors and a hall with a handsome staircase rising to the two chambers above. This house was constructed of wood frame with lock-joint boards which gave the appearance of clapboards. It was modernized at this time, accounting for the late eighteenth century dates of its detailing. The circulation hall of the Federal house connected directly into the circulation zone of the older structure so that the functional relationship of the two was quite efficient. It is interesting to note that the house at this stage of its development is very similar to Philadelphia townhouse plans of the time. Such buildings typically consist of a side hall with double parlor, the distinctive Philadelphia "piazza," and rear service wing.7
The interiors and exterior of this Federal house were pale yellow with white trim. Finely detailed fireplaces, wainscoting, and door and window trim graced the interior. A hall way arch defined the staircase.
Mary's son, James Pemberton-Morris, inherited Bolton from his Grandfather. James gave Bolton to his Father, Anthony, who resided at Bolton from 1790 to 1861. James' children inherited from Anthony who gave it to their sister, Isabella Pemberton-Morris.8
At this time the fourth major addition was constructed (1860's). The 1790 wing was extended to the north on two floors, transforming the side hall plan into a center hall plan, creating on the first floor a 16 by 34 foot room with fireplace and on the second floor, two chambers without fireplaces. This addition was rather insensitive to the 1790 wing. The proportions of the west window of the first floor are awkward (15 lights over 15) compared to the elegant Federal windows (12 over 12). On the second floor, a double window seems completely out of place; yet in an odd way it balances the west facade and creates a composition of considerable interest
Sometime around 1830 to 1840, the bake oven was built to the east of the Israel Pemberton section. it is very unusual in its large size and is an English type with clay joints, rather that a German type.9 It was built to accommodate the increased baking needs which grew in the nineteenth century with the development of Bolton Farm into a large country estate.
Isabella Pemberton-Morris gave the estate in turn to her cousin Effingham B. Morris. In 1913, the entire west wing was encased in stone and two datestones reading:
A. M. & M. P. M. 1790
were placed at the gable ends for obvious prestigious reasons. A veranda with herring-bone brick paving was add which featured unusual skylights above the eaxisting windows. In this way, light was not cut off from the interior rooms. More rooms were added between the 1687 section and the 1790 wing on the first floor. Thus, in the early twentieth century, the house became the victim of the Colonial Revival, although architecturally it did become consistent in material and transformed into a true mansion of considerable size and stability. A stone house for the tending farmers was built at this time to the northeast, creating a courtyard behind the early eighteenth century portion of the house.
Anthony Morris' ties to the University of Pennsylvania resulted in the use of Bolton as an experimental farm, perhaps as early as the 1820's. In 1938, Effingham Morris' children gave the house to the University. United States Steel purchased the property in the late 1940's to house dignitaries planning the construction of the Fairless Works on the Delaware River. William Levitt bought the house and constructed Levittown around it in 1952, leaving six acres from the original 354. The property was given to Bristol Township to use as its municipal offices. When the Township vacated the property in 1966, professional as well as amateur vandalism occurred. After many demolition threats by safety-conscious fire marshals, the house is now registered as an Historic Site and is deeded to the Bucks County Conservancy. Restoration has begun with the bake oven and the Israel Pemberton addition by Mr. Edwin Brumbaugh and Mr. Albert Ruthrauff.
The next stage of historical documentation of Bolton Farm should be the research of the Pemberton papers, of which there a 70 volumes in the Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia. Inventories of possessions, references to construction and physical conditions, and other pertinent data must be sifted from the Pemberton Papers. Exploratory demolition may conclusively settle disputes concerning the conflicting architectural evidence.
Endnotes:
1. Westcott, Thompson, Historic Mansions and Buildings of Philadelphia,
(Phila. 1877, p. 494.
2. Brumbaugh, Edwin, in interview January 19, 1976.
3. Brumbaugh.
4. Brumbaugh.
5. Will Book, B. P., p. 198 (Philadelphia City Hall Annex).
6. Morrison, Early American Architecture, (New York, 1952), p. 520.
7. Murtaugh, W. J., "The Philadelphia Row House" in Journal of Architectural
Historians, Vol. XVI No. 4, December, 1957, pp. 10-13.
8. Register of Wills, Bucks County (DoylesTown, Pa.) Feb. 9, 1860.
9. Brumbaugh.
"THE PEMBERTON FAMILY"
By William M. Watkins
Phineas Pemberton was William Penn's chief administrator in Bucks County and Falls Township's most prominent citizen. He and his father-in-law, James Harrison and his own father Ralph Pemberton and families arrived from Bolton, Lancashire, England in 1682 on the ship "SUBMISSION ." They settled on 300 acres opposite Bordentown, NJ, on the bend of the Delaware River just below Biles Island and the 13 farms shown on the 1690 map, and just outside the tract of Pennsbury that Penn reserved for himself. He and James Harrison named it, "Grove Place." It is shown as owned by John Thompson in 1858-1891 and was known as the Thropp farm prior to the purchase by W. Paul Starkey, Sr. as his residence in the 1940's.
Beside holding the office of Clerk of all Courts, Pemberton was the Register of Wills, Receiver of the Proprietary Quit Rents and Master of the Rolls. He kept the records of the arrivals of settlers coming into Bucks County, marriages, births and deaths. He also kept a registry of the "Ear Marks" for the owners of cattle and swine, as required by law. (There were no fences in those days). He was also Surveyor General, in charge of laying out roads.
He served three terms in the Provincial Council, four terms in the General Assembly and was President of the Assembly. Pemberton was one of the prominent persons who felt that a new Frame of Government should be drawn up to supersede the original charter prepared by Penn in 1683. From his official position, Pemberton was an "insider" who bought land advantageously as it came on the market and amassed considerable wealth.
His wife Phoebe and parents, the Harrisons and several children all died in the 1690's from an unknown fever which was attributed to the fog that often hangs over Penns Manor, near the River. His father-in-law, James Harrison, was in charge of the building of the manor house at Pennsbury, beginning in 1683. Pemberton then relocated on higher ground in Bristol Township and named his home "Bolton" after his boyhood home in England. The east wing of the "Bolton Mansion" in the Holly Hill section of Levittown is thought to be Pemberton's original residence.
Pemberton was the presiding officer of the annual gathering of Quakers, known as Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends. He was thus, a leader in government, religion and business. William Penn wrote numerous letters to Pemberton and held him in great affection. Writing to James Logan on 9-8-1701, the Proprietor said "Poor Phineas Pemberton is a dying man, and was not at the election, though he crept (as I may Say) to Friends meeting yesterday. I am grieved at it: for he has not his fellow, and without him this is a poor country indeed." Samuel Carpenter wrote to Penn "Phineas Pemberton died the 1st mo last and will be greatly missed, having left few or none in these parts or adjacent like him for wisdom, integrity and general service, a matter of sorrow when I call to mind and consider that the best of our men are take away, and how many are gone and how few to supply their places." In a letter from the Proprietor to James Logan, dated at London, 21st, 4 mo., 1702, he wrote "I mourn for poor Phin. Pemberton the ablest as well as one of ye best men in the Province."
Pemberton's son, Israel, born 1684 at "Grove Place." was educated by his parents and by Francis Daniel Pastorius in Philadelphia. went to Philadelphia, entered the counting house of Samuel Carpenter, one of the ablest and most affluent Friends of that day and became one of the leading merchants. Like his father he was also president of the Legislature and Presiding Officer of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends and was dubbed, "King of the Quakers. He was Common Councilman, 1713; Alderman, 1720, for a life tenure; and was one of the city's two members of the Provincial Council for 20 years, beginning 1718. He devoted much time to making peace with the Indians in the Lancaster and Harrisburg areas from the invasions into their territory by new immigrants as well as retaining his father's Buck's County properties.
His city residence was at southwest corner of Front and Market Streets from 1718 to 1745, when he removed to the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, called Clarke Hall. It was the resort of many strangers of note from Europe and famous for its beautiful terraces of gardens with the prospect of the river which they commanded. Israel Jr.'s residence on Chestnut Street, between Independence Halland Carpenters Hallwas an example of one of the grandest town houses of the mid 1700s. Israel also owned a place called, "Evergreen," in 1738 at 23rd and South and Gray's Ferry Road. he married Rachel, daughter of Charles Read and sister-in-law of James Logan, in 1710.
Israel's sons, Israel, Jr., James and John carried on in Phineas' and Israel's footsteps and played prominent roles in Philadelphia. Israel Jr., and James were among the merchants who were negotiating with the liberal members of Parliament associated with Edmund Burke. Edmund Burke trying to preserve peace and head off the American Revolution in 1770-1775 era..
Upon the death of Israel Pemberton, Bolton Farm was bequeathed to his son, James, born 1723. He was a widely travelled man at home and abroad, successful in mercantile pursuits as his father had been, and interested in the welfare of the indians and negroes as befitted a concerned Friend. He was President of the Abolition Society founded by Benjamin Franklin, a Founder and manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and a member of the Assembly, resigning with all the Quaker members in 1756 when Governor Morris declared war on the Delaware Indians. Opposing war with England, he was exiled with many other prominent Quakers to Virginia in 1777, during which time his wife, Phoebe, ably managed his extensive affairs. James' daughter Mary married Anthony Morris.
Phineas Pemberton and all his immediate family were buried in a family graveyard shown on the 1891 map of the J. W. Thompson Estate at Grove Place. When US Steel purchased the Starkey farm, they obtained Court and Pennsylvania approval to relocate this graveyard in Pennsbury Manor, 200 yards south of the Manor House. There one can find the plaque erected by Henry Pemberton, a descendent in 1905 commemorating his illustrious forefathers and Falls Township's most prestigious family for 120 years.
WITHIN THESE WALLS ARE BURIED
AGNES - Wife of Immanuel Harrison
Born 1601 - Died August 6, 1687
Her Son - JAMES HARRISON
Born 1628 - Died October 6, 1687
His wife - ANNE (HEATH) HARRISON
Born February 13, 1623 - 24 - Died March 5, 1689 - 90
Their child - PHOEBE
Wife of Phineas Pemberton
Born April 7, 1660 - Died October 30, 1696
RALPH PEMBERTON
Born January 3, 1610 - 11 - Died July 17, 1697
His son - PHINEAS PEMBERTON
Born January 30, 1649 - 50 - Died March 1, 1701- 02
Five of his children
JOSEPH
Born May 11, 1682 - Died November 1702
SAMUEL
Born February 3, 1686 - 87 - Died January 23, 1691 - 92
PHOEBE
Born February 26, 1689 - 90 Died May 30, 1698
RALPH
Born July 15, 1694 - Died November 18, 1694
PHINEAS JENNINGS
Born April 17, 1696 - Died 1701
There also rest Their Friends
ROGER LONGWORTH
Born 1631 - Died August 7, 1687
LYDIA WHARMBY
Born 1640 - September 3, 1695
Erected by
Henry Pemberton - 1905
The Gregorian calendar now in general use was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It corrected the error in measuring time, that had occurred since Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 B. C. Great Britain did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752. There was a difference of 10 days between the calendars at that time. Seventeenth-century Englishmen started the new year officially of March 25, but January 1 also was used as New Years' Day. Some writers double dated for the period of January 1 to March 24. Hence the double years for Pemberton and for his family gravestone dates.
"BOLTON FARM PROPERTY OWNERSHIP"
by : Horace Mather Lippincott, '97 C. 1st, 7th mo., 1946
"Bolton Farm" is located between Fallsington and Emilie on the Fallsington Road in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about one mile and half from Tullytown Station on the New York Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Following the death in 1937 of Effingham B. Morris, '75 C., 319,2934 acres of rich, rolling land, numerous valuable farm building, all equipment, and a prize winning herd of pure bred registered Guernsey cattle were presented by Morris' heirs to the University, {University of Pennsylvania} of which he was for many years a trustee. This gift was of out-standing importance to the University because of its bearing upon the development of the School of Veterinary Medicine. The need of such a farm had been stressed for several years by G. A. Dick, '04 V., while serving as Dean of the Veterinary School.
In 1946 the handsome colonial house of great historical distinction plus about 50 acres of land which was reserved when the original gift was made was purchased by the Trustees of the University from the heirs of Mr. Morris and added to the original gift to be used for research purposes.
A portion of William Penn's Manor of Pennsbury was purchased by Phineas Pemberton who came from Radcliffe Bridge near Bolton in Lancashire, England, with his father, Ralph Pemberton; his father-in-law, James Harrison; and a large household, to Bucks County in 1682 when the Quakers were being sorely persecuted in native Lancashire. His mother was Margaret Seddon, who died in 1655. Phineas was born at Aspul, January 30, 1650, and died at Bolton Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1702. James Harrison and Ralph Pemberton died in 1687 and Anne heath Harrison, widow of James, in 1690. Phineas Pemberton and his father-in-law, James Harrison, a Minister of the Society of Friends, were imprisoned several times in England on account of their Quaker faith. The mob before Pemberton's door shouted, "Come out thou Papist dog, thou Jesuit, thou devil, come out!"
At the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting held at Burlington, New Jersey, (opposite Pennsbury on the Delaware) in 1683, Phineas Pemberton said "Remember we were a despised people, in our native land, accounted by the world scarce worth to have a name or place therein; daily liable to their spoil; under great sufferings, by long and tedious imprisonment, sometimes to the loss of life - banishment, spoil of goods, beatings, mockings, and ill treatings; so that we had not been a people at this day had not the Lord stood by us. But none of these things were done unto us because of our evil deeds, but because of the exercise of our tender consciences toward our God." He was a distinguished man, able and educated above the average of the day - "the ablest as well as one of the best men in the Province," in Penn's own words. He held the highest public offices in Bucks County and was a member of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania for five years and of the Assembly for six years, the latter three as Speaker, and was a most prominent leader among Friends. The Provincial Council was presided over by Governor William Penn, Pemberton's neighbour at Pennsbury who visited the stone farmhouse which Pemberton completed on his place in 1687 and which is part of the present big mansion today.
Radcliffe Bridge, from whence came the Pembertons to America, was one of two small collections of houses in the parish of Radcliffe, Lancashire, England. The other was Radcliffe. Those two villages were clustered about a bridge over the river Irwell and the district, formerly know as the "The Bridge", is now the business section of the town of Radcliffe and not at all distinct from it. The town is five miles directly west from Bolton and six north from Manchester. The Roman vicinal road from Manchester to Ribchester run through the parish which is in the Union of Bury and Hundred of Salford. it is the smallest parish in the county, consisting of 2,435 acres and is of decidedly Saxon as appears in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Radcliffe was held in the crown until granted by Stephen to Ranulph de Gernons, Earl of Chester. The antiquity of the Radcliffe family is very great and Radcliffe Tower was anciently one of the most considerable manorial residences in Lancashire as William de Radeciivo, one of the knights of the Grand Inquest, 13 John, was of Radcliffe Tower." The church is about the age of Henry IV: an ancient Manuscript takes it back to 1282. Spinning and weaving established by the Flemish weavers are the principal industries. Richard Radcliffe came to America with the Pembertons and his descendant, Hon. George Radcliffe, is now United States Senator from Maryland. Bolton was the nearest town to the village in which the Pembertons lived and they are generally accredited to the larger and better-known place.
Phineas Pemberton was apprenticed in his youth to John Abraham, a grocer of Manchester, and his father, Ralph, left his home in Aspul in 1676 and came to Radcliffe Bridge where he kept a grocery store, assisted by Margery Vose. It is from the letters in the Pemberton Collection at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that we have gleaned much of the information about the family. When the Pembertons went to America the business was sold to Nathaniel Atherton, but Margery Vose seems to have remained in charge. her letters to Ralph Pemberton are full of affection and gossip about the neighbours whom he had left behind. There is often a postscript signed by Richard Mather, a close friend and father of the youth, Joseph Mather, who came to America with the Pembertons and established the family in these parts. She often speaks of Mathers and sends "my dear love to Joseph Mather." These were all prominent Quakers and such messages were usual amongst the m. Ralph Pemberton's replies are equally interesting and constantly mention Richard Mather.
The log of the ship SUBMISSION , upon which these Friends came to America, was kept by Phineas Pemberton, and is preserved at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. James Harrison, father-in-law of Phineas Pemberton, who came with him, became William Penn's "steward" (manager) at Pennsbury not far distant. It was from their correspondence that much of the information was obtained that enabled R. Brognard Okie, '97 C., architect, to reconstruct the mansion as the Commonwealth's tribute and memorial to its great Founder.
Phineas Pemberton married Phoebe, daughter of James and Anna Harrison. These with the venerable Agnes Harrison, mother of James; Joseph and Abigail Pemberton, children of Phineas; Robert Bond, Joseph Mather, and Richard Radcliffe, young men from Radcliffe, sailed on the "Submission" from Liverpool 7 mo., 5th, 1682 (O. S.), after a terrific storm had driven them from their course, or, as some aver, because of the dishonesty of the Captain who obtained "head money" from Maryland, it was said. They left their families at William Dickinson's for the winter. The site of Philadelphia was a wilderness when they entered it on horseback en route to Bucks County. They could not find shelter for their horses and "spancelled" then in the woods. Next morning they were gone and the party had to proceed by boat to the Falls of the Delaware where they stayed with William Yardley, and uncle of Phoebe Pemberton. One of their horses was not found until the following January. In the spring of 1683, the family and household goods were brought to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they stayed at the house of Lyonel Brittain, one of the earliest settlers.
On November 17, 1683, Phineas Pemberton (sometimes spelled and signed, "Phinehas") purchased 500 acres on the Delaware River opposite Biles (Oreclan's) Island and built a house there which he called, "Grove Place." Being desirous of a more comfortable home for his large household he finished one in 1687, on a part of Pennsbury, "Penn's home, some five miles distant and more in the interior, which he called, "Bolton Farm."
William Penn writing to James Logan, 9-4-1701, says:
"Poor Phineas Pemberton is a dying man, and was not at the election, though he crept (as I may Say) to Meeting yesterday. I am grieved at it: for he has not his fellow, and without him this is a poor country indeed."
Again, in a letter from London to Logan, Penn writes,
"I mourn for poor Phineas Pemberton the ablest as well as one of the best men in the Province. My dear love to his widow and sons and daughters."
James Logan writes to William Penn in similar vein and describes their friend's death and funeral in a letter of 3/7 1702. He was buried in the family graveyard at "Grove Place", still maintained by his descendants.
The surviving son was Israel, born 1684 at "Grove Place." he was educated by his parents and by Francis Daniel Pastorius in Philadelphia. He entered the counting house of Samuel Carpenter, one of the ablest and most affluent Friends of that day. He was Common Councilman, 1713; Alderman, 1720, for a life tenure; and was one of the city's two members of the Provincial Council for 20 years, beginning 1718. Israel Pemberton was a most active Friend and was dubbed, "King of the Quakers." He served the Society as Clerk (presiding officer), overseer, and Elder, as well as member of committees. His city residence was at southwest corner of Front and Market Streets from 1718 to 1745, when he removed to the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, called Clarke Hall. It was the resort of many strangers of note from Europe and famous for its beautiful terraces of gardens with the prospect of the river which they commanded. Israel also awned a place called, "Evergreen," in 1738 at 23rd and South and Gray's Ferry Road. he married Rachel, daughter of Charles Read and sister-in-law of James Logan, in 1710.
Upon the death of Israel Pemberton, Bolton Farm was bequeathed to his son, James, born 1723. He was a widely travelled man at home and abroad, successful in mercantile pursuits as his father had been, and interested in the welfare of the Indians and negroes as befitted a concerned Friend. He was President of the Abolition Society founded by Benjamin Franklin, a founder and manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and a member of the Assembly, resigning with all the Quaker members in 1756 when Governor Morris declared was on the Delaware Indians. Opposing war with England, he was exiled with many other prominent Quakers to Virginia in 1777, during which time his wife, Phoebe, ably managed his extensive affairs. His town house was on Second Street adjoining Lodge Alley, now Gothic Street. He also owned "The Plantation", now occupied by the United States Naval Asylum on the east bank of the Schuylkill River and on the opposite side of Gray's Ferry Road from the "The Evergreens" which he inherited from his father. The annalist Watson says of him, "He was almost the last of the race of cocked hats, and certainly one of the very best illustrations of bygone times and primitive men."
James Pemberton married Hannah Lloyd, Sarah Smith, and Phoebe Lewis Morton. A daughter of the second marriage was Mary Pemberton, who married Anthony Morris in 1790, thus joining two of Philadelphia's most prominent Quaker families. He was the son of Captain Samuel Morris and Rebecca Wistar Morris and was a lawyer and merchant. He inherited Bolton Farm and lived there. Anthony Morris was a State Senator and in 1793 was Speaker of the House. In 1813 he was appointed Minister to Spain. At his death, when 95 years old, he was buried with his wife at "Bolton Farm", which had been their home for so long a time.
A son, James Pemberton Morris, married Rosa, daughter of Rev. William Gardiner, LL.D. of Edinburgh, Scotland, and resided at "Bolton Farm" where they, too, are buried. One of their children, Phineas Pemberton Morris, next resided at "Bolton Farm" and dying without issue in 1888, the estate came by will to Effingham B. Morris their cousin, who lived there at intervals during each year. Another descendant of the founder of "Bolton Farm" is Dr. Ralph Pemberton,. '98, Professor of Medicine in our Graduate School of Medicine ......
It is not too much to say that this magnificent Bucks County estate of 550 beautiful acres with its splendid buildings and handsome Colonial Mansion of great historical importance is one of the finest gifts the University has ever received. It is a fitting memorial to one of Pennsylvania's most loyal sons, Effingham B. Morris, '75, a fine Christian gentleman and a citizen of distinguished ability.