Category: history

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Frankford at the Battle of Gettysburg

Frankford residents served in every major battle during the Civil War.  We mark the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg this week.

These are the names of the men who died in the battle and one who was taken prisoner only to later die as a prisoner of war.

Joseph Johnson was born about 1838 and was a carpenter when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania volunteers – Company I on August 13, 1862. Private Johnson was taken prisoner at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and died in Annapolis, Maryland.

Peter McNally was born about 1838 in Scotland and was a shoemaker when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company I on August 20, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was survived by his father Robert and mother Mary.

Robert Rae was born about 1826 in Pennsylvania and was working as a Mason when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company I on August 18, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was survived by his wife Anna, daughters Catherine and Lah and son Charles.

James Butcher was born about 1839 and was a wheelwright living at 216 Frankford Avenue when he was mustered into the 28th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers – Company D on July 8, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. He was survived by his father Thomas P. and mother Caroline. He is buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery – Pennsylvania Plot, Section D, Site #53.

Robert Lesher was born in Pennsylvania about 1839 and lived on Frankford Avenue near Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was working as a carpenter when he was mustered into the California Regiment, 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers Company D on May 28, 1861. He was wounded in battle on July 3rd and died of his wounds on July 8, 1863. He is buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery, section A, grave, 40. He was survived by his father Jacob, mother Hester, sisters Eliza, Mary, Rachel and Elizabeth and brothers Joseph and William.

Samuel C. Rodgers was born about 1832 in Pennsylvania and was a car driver when mustered into the 114th Regiment Pennsylvania volunteers – Company K on August 14, 1862. Private Rodgers died in Gettysburg on July 13, 1863. He was survived by his wife Sarah and sons William (8), Samuel (6) and Allen (4).

William Reynolds was born about 1812 in New Jersey. By 1860 he and his family had moved to Frankford where he worked in one of the mills. He was mustered into the 26th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers – Company I on May 31, 1861. He was wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and taken prisoner. He died on November 9, 1864, of “starvation and brutal treatment while a prisoner of war at Salisbury, N. C.”. He was survived by his wife Susan, daughter Sarah and son Jonathan.

Lest we forget.

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Cape May Ferry Sunk

The M/V Twin Capes, christened 43 years ago retired after thousands of runs between Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and Cape May, New Jersey, was sunk on June 15th to become part of Delaware’s artificial reef system. It was always a fun trip.  Video of the sinking below.

 

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Circus Comes to Frankford

The meeting begins at 6;30 on June 12th, with a social gathering at which food and conversation are shared prior to the presentation. This is always a very cordial event. If you are able, please bring some to add to the food and refreshment table array.  The circus presentation begins at 730 PM.

Circus Comes to Frankford -Patty McCarthy. It might not have been “The Greatest Show on Earth”, but it is an interesting and largely unknown part of the history of Frankford. Join us to learn more about the circus that was in our own backyard and some of the circus performers who called Frankford their “home”.

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American Revolution Landmark House in Frankford Safe for Now

It’s Time to Save This Piece of History

Hidden City Philadelphia ran a story yesterday (at this link) that the The Worrel-Winter House at 1548 Adams Avenue would be going to Sheriff Sale in May, unless some action was taken to prevent that.  I spoke to Andy Volodarski, the owner of 1548 and 1550 Adams Avenue, who reported that the tax issue has been resolved and the property will not be on the Sheriff Sale list.

1550 Adams Avenue

What is not resolved is the present condition of the house.  As Harry Kyriakodis said on Hidden City Philadelphia: “At 1548 Adams Avenue in Frankford there is a small, modest home with a big, important history. The two-story house is believed to have been built between 1712 and 1718 and is one of the oldest historical structures listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historical Places. The 18th century dwelling, where Thomas Jefferson recited the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 before it was read publicly, is currently vacant and in a decaying, fire-damaged state.”

It would be a tragedy to fail to save this piece of history which is entrusted to us here in Frankford.

 

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Hunt for History

The Historical Society of Frankford is on a Hunt for history and we need your help!

In order to complete a fuller picture and fill in the gaps in Frankford’s history, we are asking our friends and neighbors to tell us their stories. If you are, or have been a resident of Frankford, we need you to tell your stories of life in Frankford as you lived it.

There are four categories we are interested in:

Memories of Frankford

If you have lived in Frankford for any length of time, you must have some memories of your neighborhood. Tell us the places you remember, and what you did as a child and as an adult. Where did you go to school? What church did you belong to? What was the street you lived on, and who were your neighbors.

Families of Frankford

If you are, or were a long time resident of Frankford, then tell us about your family. Who were they? Were they immigrants? Where did they come from? When did they come to Frankford? Name their names and tell us where they lived and what they did.

Organizations in Frankford

Did you belong to any organization that was active in Frankford. Were you a member of the Lions Club, the Oddfellows, the VFW, or the American Legion? Were you a Boy Scout or Girl Scout? Did you go to the Northeast Boys Club or the Frankford Y? Tell us about your organization. What it was. Where it was. What it did, and who was there. What part did you play?

Where I worked in Frankford

If you worked anywhere in Frankford, tell us about it. Did you own a business in Frankford? Were you a store clerk on the avenue, a waiter or waitress, a barber or hair stylist. Did you work in any lite industry In Frankford? Were you a paperboy or did you shine shoes? The type of job is not to big or too small. Tell us the name of the place, where it was located, who were the owners, and what your job was there. We want to hear all about the places you worked.

We are asking you to take some time and reflect on your life in Frankford. Write it all down in an electronic file. If you are not able, ask a friend or family member to help. Give your stories a title if you want to. Make sure you list yourself as the author. Include pictures or other graphics if you wish. Use any font style you want, but keep it at size 11. Titles can be larger, in color or underlined. Send your stories to

www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

All stories will be logged and kept in both an electronic file and a printed out open book file at the Historical Society of Frankford. Come and visit us at 1507 Orthodox St.