John C. Kartchner
1788-1826
Prudence Wilcox Kartchner
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
History of Christoph Johann and Prudence Wilcox
About the year 1739, George, William and John Walton came to this country from England, arriving in Virginia in the early part of the year. Here they separated. George locating in Philadelphia, Penn. where he became a prominent lawyer and statesman. He was also a member of the First Continental Congress, which convened in Philadelphia, in the year 1774. William also located in Philadelphia and John, the youngest removed to Georgia where he had much to do with the political affairs of the state, being a member of the third Congress held in Philadelphia, Penn.
But little is recorded of the heroic deeds of the Walton's. During the struggles of the Americans with the Indians, in the Revolutionary war and contentions they lectured through the county in favor of Continental Rule. When that sacred document, the Declaration of Independence was written the Hon. George and William Walton were among the first who signed their names to it. They lectured in the neighboring towns encouraging the citizens to volunteer in the defense of constitutional rights and William Walton, M.D., did much valuable service for the county as physician and surgeon in comforting the sick and wounded of the American Army.
William Walton had an interesting family. He resided in Philadelphia where his property soon became very valuable, his daughter became acquainted with a young man by the name of Wilcox from England and soon became his happy bride. Mr. Wilcox was a paper maker by trade and soon became the owner of a paper mill some thirteen miles west from Philadelphia and carried on a lively business for what was called hand mill for as yet machine mills had not been invented. They hauled their paper to Philadelphia market and sold and bought rags, vitriol and other material as was needed for carrying on the paper making business.
About the year 1700, Mr. Kartchner, then a boy of ten summers, arrived in Philadelphia from Germany, grew to manhood and became acquainted with a lovely German girl and married. They would occasionally speak to each other in German, but used English language for common talk. But little was recorded of his deeds, he being a private citizen. They resided in Philadelphia in comfortable circumstances and their son, John Christopher was born 29 Aug. 1784.
John Christopher was very fond of sailing and loved to build little boats and let them drift in the Delaware. He became a very interesting boy for his dexterity and activity. He would go to the top of the hills where groves of hickory saplings lay beneath and climb one bending down the tops of the others, and changing trees, passing with such force as to carry him with great speed, which he called flying science. At that date, boxing schools were considered to be the foremost part of a young man's education and after receiving his lessons, would practice with his play fellows. He became second to none and soon became a dread to his enemies in consequence of his ability in fisticuffing. He was a boy of few words and never quarreled with his fellows, but took special pleasure in punishing offenders. The first appearance of his indignation was made known by a blow well aimed and could only have a comparison by the kick of a mule and followed up with such quick successive blows that a man was whipped before he could have time to recover himself.
He saw an inducement to join the paper making trade and went as apprentice to Mr. Wilcox and soon gained the admiration of his master by his promptness and firmness. Fear had no place within him. If a hard trip or dangerous exploit came up it was well known to all that John Christopher was able for it and on returning home would many times pick up black snakes and place in his bosom and let them make their appearance at their pleasure. He once caught one of these reptiles non-observed, going from the mill to the house to dinner. Then he placed it in his bosom it laid still in his warm bosom until they were all seated to the table eating dinner the serpent, smelling the victuals, was induced to stretch forth his head to the consternation of all the company. With one accord all jumped back, falling pell-mell to extricate themselves from the approaching danger and the whole scene was enjoyed by a quiet smile by John Christopher.
Mr. Wilcox had six children by Mrs. Wilcox: James, John, Prudence, Sarah and Ann. The three boys became famous for papermaking. John Christopher became much attached to Miss Prudence, who was born 6 December 1787, being raised together, almost, thus they became much attached to each other and were married about the year 1804 or 1805. Sarah Wilcox was married to Mr. Ellis, a blacksmith, of but little worth to his fellows excepting the good done hammering iron, because he occasionally disturbed the peace under the influence of whiskey.
Ann Wilcox was a virtuous old maid who was much skilled in embroidery. She lived and died at the house of her sister Prudence, age about forty,, at a place called Manayunk, six miles west of Philadelphia, She was buried in the old Baptist church yard of the Ridge Road, one mile north of residence. Sarah Ellis lived in Philadelphia until bout the year 1830. She took a fever and died. What became of Ellis is unknown.
Prudence Kartchner had seven children; Caroline, Peter Wolliver, Margaret, Mark, John Christopher, William and Sarah Ann. Caroline was born 11 October 1810. In 1812 the war broke out and Prudence's husband John Christopher volunteered and went on shipboard and landed at Mobile, from thence to New Oelean, immediately under General Jackson's command. During his absence Peter Wolliver was born, 29 August 1812. On John Christopher's arrival home he was greatly rejoiced over his warrior, as he called him.
In the Battle of New Orleans they were commanded to wait until they could see the whites of their English intruders eyes before they fired. After passing through these bloody scenes it seemed to beget within them a general hatred toward the Englishmen, and many were abused under the influence of this antipathy. Their children were tradition to hate the English and the children of the Orleans troops followed their example well. They would appoint times and places to meet the English boys for battle and often two to one. These battles would generally result in bloody faces on both sides, and the American boys thinking they had the best of it.
Margaret was born 9 July 1814. She married James Webb, a Yorkshireman and blacksmith, contrary to the wishes of her father's family.
John Christopher the father went to work at papermaking and soon became the proprietor of a mill. Business being brisk, he hired hands and took apprentices, finally taking a partner in the business by the name of William Wolliver, his wife's cousin, who kept a book and paper store in Philadelphia, who received the paper and sold and bought rags, vitriola and material for the mill. Thus it ran along for some years, apparently prospering, and at a time John Christopher sent by the regular teamster for money and goods to pay hands Mr. Wolliver pronounced the firm broke. Well known to John, to the contrary not withstanding, went immediately to Philadelphia to the store, but books and things were so arranged as to be impossible to save himself. He returned home, much down countenanced but resolved to go ahead, but the news was circulated soon that Kartchner / Williver and Co., were broke, and soon the mill was attached and sold for debts. This course of things so discouraged John Christopher that he took to drink to drown his troubles and would resent the least appearance of insult until it became common thing for him to fight for not only his own wrongs but would fight for his supposed friends.
Another son was born 13 November 1816, called after himself, John Christopher Jr. About this time he decided to emigrate to the west of Ohio but his wife, Prudence objected. He now worked journey-work from one mill to another and finally went to the Catskills Mts. and worked most of the part of one year, drinking hard and fighting often. It began to tell on him. He came home a sick man and was nursed up again and went to work nearer home. He thought of entering suit against Mr. Wilcox for his wife part of an estate in Philadelphia left to his children by Mr. Wilcox, but he was drinking too much to save up a beginning.
Another son was born, 4 May 1820 at Hartford town, Montgomery Co., Penn. He wanted to name the boy Decatur after Commodore Decatur. Prudence wished to call him William after her mother's father, William Walton, so they called the boy William Decatur. This boy became the writer of this history.
John Christopher became much careworn from the once happy business agent paper maker down to what they called journeyman worker. He was never know to quarrel with a man, Mr. Lavern told me, but would fight on the least intimation of insult. Time passed swiftly without much interest to him. a daughter was born 7 Sept. 1823.
John Christopher was a great Jackson man. I was with him at the polls of election when a man cried out "Hurrah for Clay". No sooner had he said this than John Christopher confronted him, squared and struck him to the ground. Another took it up and a second was felled to the ground and the third underwent the same punishment. The man held to him and a short encounter followed on the ground. I was following crying for my father, and by the time I could reach the spot all was over and Mr. Lavern said three men were whipped.
They called their daughter Sarah Ann after her two aunts. About this time John Christopher moved his family to Manayunk and shortly after John Wilcox, my mother's youngest brother, came from Bucks Co., Penn. to visit the family. He was a young man and a great musician. He had three instruments, violin, clarinet and a flute, which was very amusing to me, and I think brightened up the dull scenes of our home considerably.
My father worked in the Manayunk Mills and my uncle, also a paper maker, worked with him and lived with my father. It was common for men to work by piece and would generally complete their day's work by two or three o'clock and then amuse the family with sweet strains of music of evenings. My mother also worked in the paper mill in the room called the "soul" picking paper and had her baby under the bench and a touch with her foot would keep it quiet in a kind of box cradle.
In the winter of 1825 my father took sick by excessive drink and exposure. He had very bad rheumatic fever. All was done that could be thought of by the medical faculty without success. The old school doctor was then thought to be foremost in the healing arts. My father lingered, receiving no benefit from anything, until April 2, 1826. He died, leaving my mother with five children in poverty, to support. Our connections came from Philadelphia and Bucks Co., to the funeral, which was a large attendance of carriages. his remains were interred in the Dutch Churchyard seven miles southwest of Manayunk. I was sitting on my Uncle John's lap and put my head out the window of the carriage when a sudden jolt caused me to renew my sobs and tears.
I remained with my mother some one year and she moved eight miles southwest to Mill Creek to Telender Paper mills. Peter W. was an apprentice, My brother, John Christopher, worked in the mill for wages. My mother also picked paper at a low rate of pay. I was sent to school to a Mr. Hoffman, an Universalist. One evening while coming from school a young man was imposing upon me and plaguing me when I tried to get away from him by running. When all my efforts were in vain, at last my brother John Christopher saw the affair and called him to account for his conduct. They soon came together, after the young man answered him, saying he would punish him the same if he interfered. Without much talk, a severe encounter ensued in which both were punished. My brother knocked out of joints both thumbs before the mill hands came to them and parted them, and the young man was carried home and remained in bed some days, the fight had become so desperate.
In the spring my mother took me to Mr. McKnight's to be his cowboy. I remained during the summer. I thought the days a weeklong and cried to go home, but they were kind to me and gave me presents, but I suffered in mind very much. In the course of autumn, Mr. McKnight died of consumption and was buried in the same yard that my father's remains were buried in the years before. Soon after Mr. James McKnight came to administer the estate. He was very kind to me and petted me, which I had been used to at home, and would take me with him in the old rig to the tavern. He gave me money to pay the hostler and for the drinks. I felt quite to home again until the business was settled. He returned to his home in Bucks Co., and I returned to my mother. My parting with Mrs. Shoster, the lady who kept house for the consumptive old bachelor, was tender by this time.
My Uncle John came to visit my mother to Mill Creek and took me with him to stay one year as a lay boy as he had rented a paper mill seven miles northwest of Manayunk. My brother, Peter was about to be whipped by Garret Hender, his master. When he turned on him, tore a large leg from a spinning wheel and went for him. He was sued by his master for assault and battery, soon afterward ran away and went to the Far West and then south as far as New Orleans came back to Memphis, sick and had many warm friends.
Next spring, my Uncle John took me with the family visiting my mother. She moved to Manayunk. I stayed with her, and went to work in woolen mill, the next winter, at very low wages. Next spring she sent me to school to Mr. Murphy, but I hated the schoolroom, and learned nothing. I begged to go to the factory to work. At last she consented and I went to work in a cotton factory-piecing roll on a mule. I received two dollars per week and generally fifty cents for spending money, which I bought tobacco with. The residue I kept in a small stone jug. Commenced the use of tobacco before I was five years old. I worked in cotton factory until I was twelve years old when my little index finger of my right hand was caught in the cogwheel. I was laid up for six weeks with it. I refused to return to the factory. My mother said I mush either go to the factory to learn a trade, that she could not support me. She wanted me to learn the carpenter trade, but I chose the blacksmith trade and was bound by indenture to Benjamin Miles for seven years and six months with a consideration of receiving one-quarter day school and one quarter night school. The year before, my brother, John Christopher went apprentice to learn the coach smith business at ninety-six dollars per year and bed.
My mother joined the old Baptist church soon after my father's death. He was an infidel and would not allow his family to attend sectarian meetings. He and Mr. Lavern once arranged a hogshead for a Methodist minister to stand on to preach and so fixed the hoops that a hard stamp would knock the heads in. In the midst of his sermon he commenced stamping and at once dropped into the empty hogshead out of sight of his audience to the surprise of all but father and Mr. Lavern who were enjoying a hearty laugh at the expense of Acre Brown, the preacher.
In 1833, one night my mother happened to be up in the night and said the stars were falling from the heaven and she woke the older members of the family. She was not excited but many of the citizens were upon their knees praying and thought the world was at an end. About the year 1834 she married a Mr. Francis B. Collins, a nephew of Collins the noted ax maker at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They moved to Kingsington, Philadelphia.
But little is recorded of the heroic deeds of the Walton's. During the struggles of the Americans with the Indians, in the Revolutionary war and contentions they lectured through the county in favor of Continental Rule. When that sacred document, the Declaration of Independence was written the Hon. George and William Walton were among the first who signed their names to it. They lectured in the neighboring towns encouraging the citizens to volunteer in the defense of constitutional rights and William Walton, M.D., did much valuable service for the county as physician and surgeon in comforting the sick and wounded of the American Army.
William Walton had an interesting family. He resided in Philadelphia where his property soon became very valuable, his daughter became acquainted with a young man by the name of Wilcox from England and soon became his happy bride. Mr. Wilcox was a paper maker by trade and soon became the owner of a paper mill some thirteen miles west from Philadelphia and carried on a lively business for what was called hand mill for as yet machine mills had not been invented. They hauled their paper to Philadelphia market and sold and bought rags, vitriol and other material as was needed for carrying on the paper making business.
About the year 1700, Mr. Kartchner, then a boy of ten summers, arrived in Philadelphia from Germany, grew to manhood and became acquainted with a lovely German girl and married. They would occasionally speak to each other in German, but used English language for common talk. But little was recorded of his deeds, he being a private citizen. They resided in Philadelphia in comfortable circumstances and their son, John Christopher was born 29 Aug. 1784.
John Christopher was very fond of sailing and loved to build little boats and let them drift in the Delaware. He became a very interesting boy for his dexterity and activity. He would go to the top of the hills where groves of hickory saplings lay beneath and climb one bending down the tops of the others, and changing trees, passing with such force as to carry him with great speed, which he called flying science. At that date, boxing schools were considered to be the foremost part of a young man's education and after receiving his lessons, would practice with his play fellows. He became second to none and soon became a dread to his enemies in consequence of his ability in fisticuffing. He was a boy of few words and never quarreled with his fellows, but took special pleasure in punishing offenders. The first appearance of his indignation was made known by a blow well aimed and could only have a comparison by the kick of a mule and followed up with such quick successive blows that a man was whipped before he could have time to recover himself.
He saw an inducement to join the paper making trade and went as apprentice to Mr. Wilcox and soon gained the admiration of his master by his promptness and firmness. Fear had no place within him. If a hard trip or dangerous exploit came up it was well known to all that John Christopher was able for it and on returning home would many times pick up black snakes and place in his bosom and let them make their appearance at their pleasure. He once caught one of these reptiles non-observed, going from the mill to the house to dinner. Then he placed it in his bosom it laid still in his warm bosom until they were all seated to the table eating dinner the serpent, smelling the victuals, was induced to stretch forth his head to the consternation of all the company. With one accord all jumped back, falling pell-mell to extricate themselves from the approaching danger and the whole scene was enjoyed by a quiet smile by John Christopher.
Mr. Wilcox had six children by Mrs. Wilcox: James, John, Prudence, Sarah and Ann. The three boys became famous for papermaking. John Christopher became much attached to Miss Prudence, who was born 6 December 1787, being raised together, almost, thus they became much attached to each other and were married about the year 1804 or 1805. Sarah Wilcox was married to Mr. Ellis, a blacksmith, of but little worth to his fellows excepting the good done hammering iron, because he occasionally disturbed the peace under the influence of whiskey.
Ann Wilcox was a virtuous old maid who was much skilled in embroidery. She lived and died at the house of her sister Prudence, age about forty,, at a place called Manayunk, six miles west of Philadelphia, She was buried in the old Baptist church yard of the Ridge Road, one mile north of residence. Sarah Ellis lived in Philadelphia until bout the year 1830. She took a fever and died. What became of Ellis is unknown.
Prudence Kartchner had seven children; Caroline, Peter Wolliver, Margaret, Mark, John Christopher, William and Sarah Ann. Caroline was born 11 October 1810. In 1812 the war broke out and Prudence's husband John Christopher volunteered and went on shipboard and landed at Mobile, from thence to New Oelean, immediately under General Jackson's command. During his absence Peter Wolliver was born, 29 August 1812. On John Christopher's arrival home he was greatly rejoiced over his warrior, as he called him.
In the Battle of New Orleans they were commanded to wait until they could see the whites of their English intruders eyes before they fired. After passing through these bloody scenes it seemed to beget within them a general hatred toward the Englishmen, and many were abused under the influence of this antipathy. Their children were tradition to hate the English and the children of the Orleans troops followed their example well. They would appoint times and places to meet the English boys for battle and often two to one. These battles would generally result in bloody faces on both sides, and the American boys thinking they had the best of it.
Margaret was born 9 July 1814. She married James Webb, a Yorkshireman and blacksmith, contrary to the wishes of her father's family.
John Christopher the father went to work at papermaking and soon became the proprietor of a mill. Business being brisk, he hired hands and took apprentices, finally taking a partner in the business by the name of William Wolliver, his wife's cousin, who kept a book and paper store in Philadelphia, who received the paper and sold and bought rags, vitriola and material for the mill. Thus it ran along for some years, apparently prospering, and at a time John Christopher sent by the regular teamster for money and goods to pay hands Mr. Wolliver pronounced the firm broke. Well known to John, to the contrary not withstanding, went immediately to Philadelphia to the store, but books and things were so arranged as to be impossible to save himself. He returned home, much down countenanced but resolved to go ahead, but the news was circulated soon that Kartchner / Williver and Co., were broke, and soon the mill was attached and sold for debts. This course of things so discouraged John Christopher that he took to drink to drown his troubles and would resent the least appearance of insult until it became common thing for him to fight for not only his own wrongs but would fight for his supposed friends.
Another son was born 13 November 1816, called after himself, John Christopher Jr. About this time he decided to emigrate to the west of Ohio but his wife, Prudence objected. He now worked journey-work from one mill to another and finally went to the Catskills Mts. and worked most of the part of one year, drinking hard and fighting often. It began to tell on him. He came home a sick man and was nursed up again and went to work nearer home. He thought of entering suit against Mr. Wilcox for his wife part of an estate in Philadelphia left to his children by Mr. Wilcox, but he was drinking too much to save up a beginning.
Another son was born, 4 May 1820 at Hartford town, Montgomery Co., Penn. He wanted to name the boy Decatur after Commodore Decatur. Prudence wished to call him William after her mother's father, William Walton, so they called the boy William Decatur. This boy became the writer of this history.
John Christopher became much careworn from the once happy business agent paper maker down to what they called journeyman worker. He was never know to quarrel with a man, Mr. Lavern told me, but would fight on the least intimation of insult. Time passed swiftly without much interest to him. a daughter was born 7 Sept. 1823.
John Christopher was a great Jackson man. I was with him at the polls of election when a man cried out "Hurrah for Clay". No sooner had he said this than John Christopher confronted him, squared and struck him to the ground. Another took it up and a second was felled to the ground and the third underwent the same punishment. The man held to him and a short encounter followed on the ground. I was following crying for my father, and by the time I could reach the spot all was over and Mr. Lavern said three men were whipped.
They called their daughter Sarah Ann after her two aunts. About this time John Christopher moved his family to Manayunk and shortly after John Wilcox, my mother's youngest brother, came from Bucks Co., Penn. to visit the family. He was a young man and a great musician. He had three instruments, violin, clarinet and a flute, which was very amusing to me, and I think brightened up the dull scenes of our home considerably.
My father worked in the Manayunk Mills and my uncle, also a paper maker, worked with him and lived with my father. It was common for men to work by piece and would generally complete their day's work by two or three o'clock and then amuse the family with sweet strains of music of evenings. My mother also worked in the paper mill in the room called the "soul" picking paper and had her baby under the bench and a touch with her foot would keep it quiet in a kind of box cradle.
In the winter of 1825 my father took sick by excessive drink and exposure. He had very bad rheumatic fever. All was done that could be thought of by the medical faculty without success. The old school doctor was then thought to be foremost in the healing arts. My father lingered, receiving no benefit from anything, until April 2, 1826. He died, leaving my mother with five children in poverty, to support. Our connections came from Philadelphia and Bucks Co., to the funeral, which was a large attendance of carriages. his remains were interred in the Dutch Churchyard seven miles southwest of Manayunk. I was sitting on my Uncle John's lap and put my head out the window of the carriage when a sudden jolt caused me to renew my sobs and tears.
I remained with my mother some one year and she moved eight miles southwest to Mill Creek to Telender Paper mills. Peter W. was an apprentice, My brother, John Christopher, worked in the mill for wages. My mother also picked paper at a low rate of pay. I was sent to school to a Mr. Hoffman, an Universalist. One evening while coming from school a young man was imposing upon me and plaguing me when I tried to get away from him by running. When all my efforts were in vain, at last my brother John Christopher saw the affair and called him to account for his conduct. They soon came together, after the young man answered him, saying he would punish him the same if he interfered. Without much talk, a severe encounter ensued in which both were punished. My brother knocked out of joints both thumbs before the mill hands came to them and parted them, and the young man was carried home and remained in bed some days, the fight had become so desperate.
In the spring my mother took me to Mr. McKnight's to be his cowboy. I remained during the summer. I thought the days a weeklong and cried to go home, but they were kind to me and gave me presents, but I suffered in mind very much. In the course of autumn, Mr. McKnight died of consumption and was buried in the same yard that my father's remains were buried in the years before. Soon after Mr. James McKnight came to administer the estate. He was very kind to me and petted me, which I had been used to at home, and would take me with him in the old rig to the tavern. He gave me money to pay the hostler and for the drinks. I felt quite to home again until the business was settled. He returned to his home in Bucks Co., and I returned to my mother. My parting with Mrs. Shoster, the lady who kept house for the consumptive old bachelor, was tender by this time.
My Uncle John came to visit my mother to Mill Creek and took me with him to stay one year as a lay boy as he had rented a paper mill seven miles northwest of Manayunk. My brother, Peter was about to be whipped by Garret Hender, his master. When he turned on him, tore a large leg from a spinning wheel and went for him. He was sued by his master for assault and battery, soon afterward ran away and went to the Far West and then south as far as New Orleans came back to Memphis, sick and had many warm friends.
Next spring, my Uncle John took me with the family visiting my mother. She moved to Manayunk. I stayed with her, and went to work in woolen mill, the next winter, at very low wages. Next spring she sent me to school to Mr. Murphy, but I hated the schoolroom, and learned nothing. I begged to go to the factory to work. At last she consented and I went to work in a cotton factory-piecing roll on a mule. I received two dollars per week and generally fifty cents for spending money, which I bought tobacco with. The residue I kept in a small stone jug. Commenced the use of tobacco before I was five years old. I worked in cotton factory until I was twelve years old when my little index finger of my right hand was caught in the cogwheel. I was laid up for six weeks with it. I refused to return to the factory. My mother said I mush either go to the factory to learn a trade, that she could not support me. She wanted me to learn the carpenter trade, but I chose the blacksmith trade and was bound by indenture to Benjamin Miles for seven years and six months with a consideration of receiving one-quarter day school and one quarter night school. The year before, my brother, John Christopher went apprentice to learn the coach smith business at ninety-six dollars per year and bed.
My mother joined the old Baptist church soon after my father's death. He was an infidel and would not allow his family to attend sectarian meetings. He and Mr. Lavern once arranged a hogshead for a Methodist minister to stand on to preach and so fixed the hoops that a hard stamp would knock the heads in. In the midst of his sermon he commenced stamping and at once dropped into the empty hogshead out of sight of his audience to the surprise of all but father and Mr. Lavern who were enjoying a hearty laugh at the expense of Acre Brown, the preacher.
In 1833, one night my mother happened to be up in the night and said the stars were falling from the heaven and she woke the older members of the family. She was not excited but many of the citizens were upon their knees praying and thought the world was at an end. About the year 1834 she married a Mr. Francis B. Collins, a nephew of Collins the noted ax maker at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. They moved to Kingsington, Philadelphia.
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