Upper Makefield Road War

In the 1880s there was a creamery boom in Bucks County and Upper Makefield was no exception. Neighbors in the vicinity of Pineville and Thompson Mill Roads wanted easier access to Joseph Scott's creamery, located near the intersection of Eagle and Wrightstown Roads. This led to the idea of opening a new road, which would also be a more convenient way to get to the creamery, thence Newtown. Those who would benefit most lived in the vicinity of Pineville and Brownsburg Roads, the lands to the northwest of the creamery. The Feb 10, 1881 Newtown Enterprise featured an article on the subject.

New Road Wanted - A petition to open a new road in Upper Makefield was presented to the taxpayers for their signatures at the Makefield store on election day. It was signed by a number of prominent citizens. The proposed new road will start at a point on the Brownsburg and Wrightstown road a short distance from the intersection of the road leading to Pineville, below the Brookside School house, to run in the most convenient course to a point on the Newtown and Brownsburg road near Joseph Scott's farm. This road would open up a large section of country, and would be the most direct and convenient route for the people in the upper end of the township to reach Newtown, and would also be a convenient route for persons desiring to deliver their milk at the proposed new creamery on the Scott farm. It is a reasonable request and a much needed improvement, and should be granted.

The April 10 issue follows up on the story.

Road View - Watson Kenderdine, John Kitchen and Albert Livezey, the viewers appointed by the Court to lay out a new road in Upper Makefield, met on Saturday last, went over the route of the proposed road and are prepared to make a favorable report. The new road will branch off the Newtown and Brownsburg road at a point near the lands of Patrick Crotty and John R. VanHorn, and come out at a public road leading from Wrightstown to Brownsburg, near the lane gate on the farm of Mrs. Hettie Ann Williams. Mrs. Williams will give a clear title for the right of way through her property, and the jury awarded John R. VanHorn $147.50 and J. Wesley LaRue $172.50 damages. This road will be of great convenience to those patronizing the creamery on the farm of Joseph M. Scott. There was to have been a jury on a road in the same neighborhood through the farms of Wm. Robinson and others, but the day fixed upon was very unfavorable, and the matter was for the time postponed. 

1891 Atlas

If we look at the 1891 Atlas, we can match some of the names up to the article. On the map, we see Hettie Ann Williams owned Egypt Farm, one time home of Doan gang member John Tomlinson. The bulk of the proposed road would be over her two hundred and forty seven acres. Other affected property owners we see on the map are John R. VanHorn (Pemberton VanHorn) and J. Wesley LaRue. It's curious as to why the VanHorns were awarded so much in damages when the road would seemingly barely intersect their farm, if at all. LaRue's damages were much easier to justify.

Modern View of Proposed Road

At the same time this new road was proposed, another group proposed opening a new road on a different route a little further west, which opened up essentially the same part of the township.

April 23, 1881 Newtown Enterprise

New Roads - Two projected new roads in Upper Makefield, each less than a mile and a half long, now excite considerable interest in that township. We noticed last week that a jury had reported favorably on the road from the Newtown and Brownsburg road across to the road from Wrightstown to Brownsburg. This road commences just beyond the cross roads south of Joseph M. Scott's, and passes down the valley of a stream in a northwest direction, keeping the same general course to its point of destination. On looking at the township map, it would appear that such a road was wanted to accommodate the neighbors, and save much driving, particularly now when creameries are being built. Years ago there was an open road near the line surveyed, and even now one can drive through, by opening [unintelligible]. Previous to the application for this road, efforts had been made to have a road on the same general direction further west. This would leave the road from Wrightstown to Taylorsville at a point on the Canaan farm of J. Wesley LaRue, and then striking the township line between Upper Makefield and Wrightstown, follow the same to a road leading from Wrightstown to Buckmanville, on the property of J. H. Warner. The jury appointed to view the road met on the 14th; Dr. I. Michener, Benjamin S. Rich and Jacob Booz. They viewed the ground, reported favorably, and awarded damages as follows: To J. Wesley LaRue $125, John Twining $125, Edward Maher, $50, Charles B. Hudnit $100, Benj. Wiggins (Edward Horne place) $75, Jesse Wiggins $25, and Jacob Warner $25. The road is about the same length as the other, about a mile and a quarter, and makes an outlet for William Robinson, whose property does not adjoin a public road. In following the township line it runs over hills, and would not be a very desirable road to travel. A much better route, in our opinion, would leave the township line on the premises of Edward Maher, then pass down by his buildings, following the valley, striking the road at the foot of the hill by Charles B. Hudnit's. Both roads have their friends and opposers, and though the different juries have reported favorably, it is not probable that both will be made. For the short distance, they would both be expensive roads to make. We hear it suggested, though probably without foundation, that the last named jury will suggest to the court that a third jury be appointed to view both routes, and decide on which shall be made a public road. 

Egypt Farm today

The story quiets down until April 21, 1883.

Our readers will recollect the late road "war" in Upper Makefield. The viewers finally settled down on what is known as the "Scott" route, from a point near the lane end of Hettie Ann Williams, (the farm occupied by Peter Hogeland) to a point near Joseph M. Scott's creamery. The land damages were paid, and the road was about to be opened, when the great rain of last September occurred, washing away so many bridges and injuring so many of the township roads. The supervisor then deferred opening the road on account of the expense in repairing those in use. Then parties opposed to the road on that line petitioned for a review, with a view of vacating the road. The petition was granted, and the Court appointed Albert S. Paxson, Charles H. Williams and Samuel E. Broadhurst of Buckingham, as viewers. They advertise to meet on the ground on Thursday, the 3d of May, to attend to the duties of their appointment. There is a curious phase in this business. The road has been granted and damages have been paid. It is now the same as vacating an opened and traveled road. If it is vacated now the land will revert to the original owners, who will not be required to refund the money they have received from the county. 

The "great rain" of September, 1882, caused damages throughout the township to the point where the opening of this new road was being reconsidered. The May 5, 1883 Newtown Enterprise covered the outcome of the next meeting.

The Upper Makefield Road - It is known to our readers that there has been for some time a controversy in Upper Makefield about a county road. A jury had granted the road, which is little over a mile long, running from a point on the road from Newtown to Brownsburg, to a point on the road from the Eagle to Wrightstown, through what is known as "Cavey's Hollow." The county had paid the damages to land owners, and the Supervisor was directed to open the road. Then came the great freshet of last fall, greatly damaging the roads and bridges of the township. A feeling against opening the road arose in the township, mostly on account of the cost, and a majority of those who signed in favor of it, signed a petition to the court to appoint a jury to vacate it. The court appointed on this Jury Albert S. Paxson, Samuel E. Broadhurst, and Charles H. Williams, all of Buckingham. They met on the ground on Thursday the 3d. Opposition to the road was represented by Henry Lear, Esq., in favor by Geo. A. Jenks, Esq. A large number of tax payers of the township were present, mainly composed of those opposing the road. The whole parry passed over the surveyed line of the road, and then assembled in the barn of Peter Hogeland on the Hettie Williams farm. Here quite a number of persons were qualified and questioned as to the need of the road, etc. Wm. H. Trego, Supervisor, thought it would cost $1,000 to properly open it. S. B. [illegible], a former Supervisor, testified that opening it would be a burden to the tax-payers much beyond the advantaged, as it would benefit but a few. Samuel M. Slack, Henry Wynkoop, Edward Johnson, John S. Keith, John A. Beaumont, Edward Horne, Samuel Walton, Edward Merrick and others expressed the same opinion. On the other side, Joseph M. Scott, Stephen Betts, Jr, Esq., Mathias Hall, and others were in favor of opening the road. The jury then walked to the Eagle Store (Makefield P. O.) where they had left their horses, and after dinner, met in an upper room of the store, when W. B. Lovett, Supervisor, and others were examined. Speeches were then made by the attorneys, and the jurymen were left for consultation. In a short time they came down stairs and announced their verdict to the assembled citizens, agreeing to vacate the road. We heard two were for vacating, one for sustaining the road. This for the time settles the question. 

If we look at the list of names opposed and for the road and compare it to the Atlases, it makes sense that those who benefitted from the road, like Joseph M. Scott, who would undoubtedly see an uptick in the creamery business, were in favor of its opening. Those who had no use for the road were opposed to it. Unfortunately, the latter prevailed and the road ended up vacated, despite never being opened. Those who were awarded damages were allowed to keep their money. It's interesting how the group parked their horses at the Eagle, walked the proposed route, met in Hogeland's barn (perhaps the same barn where the Doan gang planned their escapades?), then trekked back to the Eagle for dinner and deliberations. That must've been a long day with more than a few miles put on their boots. Some of the terrain in the area isn't exactly hospitable either, specifically Cavey's Hollow and its environs. Cavey's Hollow features a lost graveyard, a ghost, and is the start of another lost road. 

So close, yet so far

Today, the house and barn of Peter Hogeland still stand, surrounded by a development with multiple roads that almost parallel the route of the proposed road. If one were able to bridge the thousand foot gap between Bryce Lane and Goldney Dr, the route would be complete. The road would benefit many more people than it did in the 1880s. Imagine if you could get to Scott's from Goldney Dr instead of having to drive all the way around the Eagle. That would save ten minutes and over 3.5 miles of driving. Too bad for those new residents of Egypt farm, they have to go the long way like always. 

Vestiges of When Newtown Was the County Seat

Much has been written about the time when Newtown was the County Seat, a period that lasted from 1726-1813. During this period the town was bustling with activity centered around the Court, which drew people in from the far reaches of Bucks County. So far that the location would eventually be deemed inconvenient, and the courts moved to Doylestown. The development of the Court House grounds became the most important in Newtown history and promoted the growth of the village. However the memory of the County Seat in Newtown has mostly been lost to time. Although the seat of justice was removed 210 years ago, there are still remnants of these county buildings in Newtown today, if one knows where to look. 

The Court House was a two-story stone building, 30’ by 28’, with double doors on the front side, and matching fireplaces at each end with stone chimneys. The front faced South, and it sat on an elevated location overlooking Centre Avenue (then King Street), with Court Street running to the East. It had a hip roof, with a cupola on top, “like a dog kennel”, with a bell. To the rear of the building projected a semi-circular recess, or bay-window. It was in this recess that the judges sat on an elevated platform facing the front doors. The second story was finished with Jury Rooms. Records indicate that the Court House was heated with a ten-plate stove, a new one being furnished in 1790.

When the courts were moved to Doylestown in 1813, the Court House was repurposed. Newtown Friends, local Quakers led by famed preacher and artist Edward Hicks, first met in the disused building prior to the erection of their Meeting House on the opposite end of Court Street. From 1818 to 1824 it was used as a repository for the Newtown Library Company’s books, with their meetings being held in the Grand Jury room. In 1823 it became the arsenal for State muskets. The Newtown Academy started its life in the Court House under the direction of Reverend James Boyd. Early exhibitions of the Bucks County Agricultural Society were held in the Court House yard. Even after the removal of the county seat, the Court House remained the polling place for local elections. The building was put to good use in the following years until it's demolition.

1796 Drawing of the Court House, Treasury and Jail

Exactly when and why the Court House was demolished was not recorded. The latest activity we hear about takes place in 1827 when Samuel D. Ingham delivered an address in the Court House during the Agricultural Exhibition. Local historians Thaddeus S. Kenderdine and Josiah B. Smith don’t offer any insight as to the time frame of demolition, Kenderdine indicates that the time is not known. An article in the August 30, 1830 Bucks County Intelligencer helps to narrow it down: 

Newtown: The seat of justice after it was removed from Bristol, continued at Newtown until the year 1810, when it was removed to Doylestown. The public buildings have been, within the past year, pulled down and two or three large mansion houses erected in their stead.

There are inaccuracies, such as the 1810 date and the fact that large mansion houses were not erected on the location of the former county buildings, however, it’s the only source of information as to when the buildings were demolished. In an Original Records Reviewed article from 1938, 20th century local historian Edward R. Barnsley writes it was not until the spring or summer of 1830 that the old Court House was town down. It is likely that the source of Barnsley’s information was the Intelligencer article. Beyond that, we find no mentions of the date of demolition.

The Court House Property in Newtown 1813

As to why the building was demolished, we have only one clue. An article in the April 26, 1873 Newtown Enterprise says:

It is stated that a similar accident occurred near the same spot about 60 years ago. It was contemplated to use the old court house as a manufactory of some kind, and efforts were made to excavate a cellar under it. In doing this the foundation was undermined, and a man named Benjamin Jolly was crushed. He lived about three weeks after the accident. After that the old Court House was torn down, and the frame house now owned and occupied by James Moore removed on its site.

No further information could be found on Benjamin Jolly, and the accident couldn’t have been 60 years prior, as the Court House was still standing in 1813. It is curious that many sources say that up until the 1921 renovations, one could see the heavy arch that supported the east chimney in the basement. If that were the case, a cellar always existed under the Court House, it wasn’t first excavated when Benjamin Jolly got crushed. Further research may shed light on this. The dimensions of the building standing today match the description of the size of the Court House precisely.

There’s also the question of who demolished the Court House. Silas Philips purchased the full tract of County buildings in 1829 with his wife Hannah. They sold the jail parcel in 1830 and the Court House parcel in 1832. The 1832 deed does not mention the County buildings. If the 1830 date is correct, Silas Philips was the owner of the buildings when they were torn down. An 1877 discovery that lends credence to this theory is that when demolishing the Samuel Philips (relation to Silas unknown) barn which stood on Washington Ave, a piece of a direction stone was found in the wall that had originally stood at the jail wall in Newtown. The direction stone showed the distance to Philadelphia as 24 Miles and 64 Perches and was dated 1767. Years later, in 1891, the second half of the stone was found when tearing down an old carriage house on the Heston property down State Street. If Silas and Samuel Philips were related somehow, it would make sense that they used the materials from the demolition of the court and jail to build a barn.

Milestone from Jail wall

After the demolition of the Court House, a frame building was moved onto its foundations, and it remains there today. Exactly where the frame building stood prior to this is unknown. A few sources indicate it could’ve been on the corner of Court and Centre, where the second library building, later the Stuckert Building, now stands. Prior to the move, it was used as a carriage shop by Charles Craven and John S. Cornell. Josiah B. Smith writes that it was built by Joseph Briggs as a workshop for his hands. The original location, blocking the Court House from Court Street, seems unlikely, as one of the advantages of the location of the county buildings is their imposing line up facing Court Street. One would think it a bad place to erect a frame workshop, especially when the Court House was still standing. 

Frame House on foundations of old Court House circa 1912

The frame house, often noted as standing on the original foundations of the Court House, had various uses. It was a furniture shop, carriage factory, dwelling and the Siloam Lodge, No. 256 I.O.O.F. was instituted upstairs in 1847. In 1921, local real estate broker Ada Reeder bought and converted the frame building into a side-by-side duplex. It was said that one could see the heavy arch in the basement that supported the east chimney of the old Court House. This chimney and any remnants of the arch were removed during Reeder’s renovations. Today, nothing remains of the Court House except the foundation walls and presumably the cellar. The old wooden sideboards of the frame building, which can be seen in a circa 1912 picture, are still extant under the asbestos siding of the current building. This is the only good existing picture of the house pre-1921 renovations. It can be seen in the background of some photographs of the second library building, which plainly show the east chimney.

Heilig House, 2nd library Building and Frame House showing chimney circa 1912

Next to the Court House stood the Treasury Building, also known as “Old Fire Proof”. The Treasury was built per an Act of Assembly passed March 21, 1772, "The Commissioners and Assessors with the approbation of the Justices and Grand Jury of the County of Bucks have at considerable expense lately erected in the town of Newtown, near the Court House, a strong commodious house, well secured from fire, accidents and evil minded persons, for the safe keeping and preserving the records and public papers of the county." The building served as was the office of the Prothonotary, Recorder & Register and the depository of the County records. 

Old Fire-Proof

The Treasury Building was built of stone, 12’ by 16’ on the inside, walls of well-dressed stone work, 2 feet thick. It was ceiled over with a brick arch, 12 inches thick. It was one story and covered with a wooden roof. The interior resembled a milk vault. It had three windows, with a very low doorway. The original door was made of iron, and the windows had iron gratings. The walls and arched roof inside were whitewashed, with no ornamentation. There was an open fireplace in the west end. It contained two fireproof vaults on one side and two offices on the other side. Heavy bards of iron ran from side to side near the ceiling, where the county records were stored. 

Although it was touted as fire and burglar proof, the latter was proved wrong when the Treasury building was robbed by the infamous Doan gang on October 22, 1781. 

In 1796, the treasury building was deemed too small to adequately serve the County’s needs, so a new, substantially larger, building was built across State Street, perfectly in line with the three other County buildings. This building still stands today, the most complete relic from the era. After its retirement, the old Treasury Building had multiple uses. It was a junk shop, town lockup, store room for rough goods such as iron and coal, dwelling house, the tailor shop of Benjamin Walton, work shop, horse stable, sheriff’s office and a warehouse. What a versatile little building it was. 

In May of 1856, the Bucks County Intelligencer was given a tour of the Treasury Building by then owner Joshua Woolston. It noted If the roof is renewed from time to time, this building will stand for centuries to come, the walls being as sound and firm as the day they were erected. Less than 20 years later, a man would come to town and tear the old building down. 

The third County Building was the jail, of which there were two in Newtown. Up until 1745, the jail was located near present day 27 S. State Street. It proved to be too small for the growing criminality of Bucks County, so a new jail and jailer’s house was erected directly east of the Treasury Building, in a line with that and the Court House. The gable end was flush with the pavement of State Street. The original jail was kept as a work house for the prisoners. The new jail stood at the present 35 S. State Street and parts of it remain to this day.

35 S. State St - much more of the jail wall is visible

In 1915 local historian Thaddeus S. Kenderdine noted that the walls of the jail and the jailer’s house were practically intact, and that the principal part of this building was the prison and jailer's house and office. Other historians made note of this as well. Josiah B. Smith wrote 

Directly west of the treasury building was the jailer’s house and jail or “gaol,” as it is called on the ancient plan before me. The main part of the building having been used as the subsequent dwelling makes the matter of interest, the general impression being that they were demolished with the court house and treasurer’s vault. Instead of this the east end of the present dwelling is as it was-then the jailer’s office and a part of his rather contracted residence, next the jail, the two making an L 33x20 feet, extending east from the main building 33x33 , abutting directly on the pavement. The east end shows plainly its 170 years of existence, while the cellar of the jail end has plain evidence of its uses for the more refractory of those who were “cabined, cribbed, confined,” in the strenuous way of the times. 

The east wing of the house was the jail office. In a paper read before the Bucks County Historical Society titled The Early Courthouses of Bucks County, Mary T. Hillborn notes

The kitchen of the house, on what is generally called the Heilig property, now owned by Horace G. Reeder, was the office and the barroom of the jail, where everybody in and out of confinement could get rum, if they had the money to pay for it. Under this room were several cells…

Mary is undoubtedly speaking of the time of jailer Patrick "Paddy" Hunter, who kept a bar and sold rum while in office. This is supported by historian Josiah B. Smith. Paddy was a hard case, and while he was jailer it was as difficult to keep prisoners in jail at Newtown as it is now at Doylestown. 

Heilig House Postcard

Daniel B. Heilig purchased 35 S. State Street in 1873 from the estate of Dr. M. P. Linton. Shortly afterward, he purchased the Treasury Building from James Moore, a blacksmith who lived in the house on the foundations of the old Court House. Heilig owned the property less than two months before he commenced tearing down the quaint old building. Old Fire-Proof had its revenge though, as Heilig’s arm was badly crushed when trying to pry apart the heavy arch on his own. It is said that Heilig used the materials to build a one-story watch and jewelry shop. This is presumably 33 S. State Street, though the building is mostly brick which is curious. He had intentions of demolishing this building for a larger structure, but he died before the project got underway. Heilig was a busy man about town in the decade he lived in Newtown, erecting several storefronts on State Street adjoining his residence. However, he removed an important part of Newtown's history for the sake of one squatty-looking store.

Heilig made many improvements to his properties during his tenure in town, which included the three lots to the north of his residence. Articles in the Newtown Enterprise mention him coming across the old prison well while digging a foundation, finding the foundation of the old prison wall, and finding rare old coins and an ancient cannon ball while excavating a cellar. When he tore down the Treasury building a stone with the name H. Rockhill carved in it was found in the south wall of the structure, noted the Bucks County Intelligencer in its coverage of the demolition. In 1800 he discovered the cellar and foundation of the first jail, fourteen feet square, though no interesting relics were recovered in the process. The town was interested in these historical finds, as evidenced by the amount of newspaper coverage that they were given.

Daniel B. Heilig's Storefronts

By 1873 little remained of the original County buildings. The western jail yard wall, parts of which still ran along State Street in front of Heilig’s house, is still there today. A large portion of the Heilig House itself was formerly the jailer’s house, and the basement was said to contain remnants of the cells that previously housed prisoners. At this point, the frame house on the Court House foundations still retained the heavy arch that had supported the east fireplace. 

Today, there is nothing left of the Treasury building, except the materials possibly used to build 33 S. State Street. Excavations at the site in 2023 uncovered traces of the foundation of the building, and metal detecting in the area has produced some colonial era items including bale seals, today's equivalent of a merchandise tag. A visit to the Jailer's house showed signs of the original structure in the basement, though no obvious cells were evident as Josiah B. Smith had intimated. A visit to the cellar of 27 S. State Street, the location of the first jail, proved interesting in that there were odd small hollows cut out on opposing sides of the walls. Further investigation is warranted. 

In 1920 William R. Stuckert owned the Heilig house and the frame house and intended to demolish both structures to erect a moving picture gallery and garage. Luckily, this plan never materialized or the center of town would look much different today.

More remains of the County buildings than people realize when they walk past the old jail wall in front of the Heilig house. More than two hundred years ago, the counties criminals were housed right next to where one shops for clothing today. Many stories have been told from within those walls, some of which luckily still exist. The 1796 Treasury building is still standing directly across the street from the Heilig house. 

New Treasury Building - 1796

The principal information in this comes from a few sources. Historian Josiah B. Smith's scrapbooks at the Bucks County Historical Society provide insight into the situation with the County buildings during his lifetime. Thaddeus S. Kenderdine's 1915 pamphlet When Newtown Was The County Seat expands upon Josiah B. Smith's research. It delves further into the subject, giving a good glimpse of the state of the buildings during that year, and taking a more lighthearted approach that borders on absurdism. The Newtown Enterprise, especially during the 1870s, often wrote about the old County buildings. These sources have proved very helpful in understanding the past and present configurations of the buildings. Edward R. Barnsley didn't seem particularly interested in the subject. His plans for a book about when Newtown was the County seat were uncovered, but it never materialized and it doesn't appear as though the research was done. 

Irish Indentured Servants in 18th Century Bucks County

In the 18th century, it was commonplace for Irish Indentured Servants to come to America seeking better fortunes. The indentures that they signed promised travel, housing and food in exchange for up to 7 years of labor, with the option to extend the indenture if so desired. At the end of this tenure, the servants were to be granted "freedom dues", which could come in the form of either land or capital. They were not slaves in the sense that we know it, but there was often little difference in their treatment. 

Jul 27, 1738

Most indentured servants worked as farm hands, or domestic help. Some knew trades and applied them in the new world. Many were unskilled, under-educated, and unwilling to stick with the deals they struck which brought them here in the first place. 

Once they got here, many of the servants left the employ of their masters, as evidenced by the plethora of classified ads in 18th century newspapers. The following advertisements for runaway and found servants are all from the Pennsylvania Gazette. 

Some of the descriptions of the runaways are extremely detailed. Masters must have really paid attention to what their servants wore, as the descriptions are often complete down to the color of the stockings. 

Feb 22, 1732

Here we see a runaway Servant Man who allegedly changed his name from Charles O'Neal to Thomas Davis. His master, James Yates Jr., was the son of James Yates, who would participate in the Walking Purchase 5 years after this advertisement. 

Apr 25, 1751

Amos Strickland was a large landowner, one time Sheriff, and influential citizen of Newtown. Here, he reports that his Irish servant man John Murphey had run away a few weeks prior. This fellow was much addicted to drinking. The reward for Murphey was three pounds, the same as for Yate's man almost twenty years prior. 

Jul 5, 1764

John Beaumont, a noted man from Upper Makefield, lost his native Irish Servant Man Richard Burk, who was a heavy smoker and over-user of the word Sir. This particular ad says that the man came from Cork, on a certain ship, 5 weeks prior. 

Jul 12, 1770

Six years later, John Beaumont lost another Irish servant. This time the man ditched his wife and left her at Beaumont's house. His wife is at my house, and much desires to see him. It is unknown whether the man was running from Beaumont, or his wife.

1851 Map showing what remained of John Beaumont's Land Holdings

Dec 20, 1764

Here, John Atkinson, local blacksmith, is advertising the loss of his Irish Servant Man John McGlaughlin. Atkinson gained notoriety for his involvement with the Doan Gang's robbery of the Treasury building. More info on the house he lived in can be found in this post: https://buckshistory.blogspot.com/2023/01/you-beautiful-jerkinhead.html

Ads for runaway indentured servants weren't the only ones running in the Gazette. There were also advertisements for found servants.

Aug 7, 1772

Jailer John Anderson advertises that he captured a suspected runaway Irish servant lad. A subtle crafty fellow who will give but little account of himself. 

Dec 1, 1775

Solomon Park (Parke) was an acclaimed clockmaker in Bucks County, also at one time the jailer. Here he advertises a jailed Irish runaway named Dennis Ford, who claimed he was indentured to a man in another county. 

Early Solomon Park Clockface

Indentured servitude wasn't restricted to Irish men, there were also Dutch and female indentured servants running away from their masters.

Jul 23, 1772

In this ad we see young Judy Fagen had run away from Thomas Morgan.

Courtesy Monmouth County Historical Society

Here's a sample indenture from Monmouth County for a man named Alexander McDonall, who signed up to serve for 5 years.

Clearly, indentured servitude wasn't the life that many of these men sought in America. One can imagine that their treatment wasn't always great, and the promises made weren't always kept. Who knows how many of these men found the freedom they sought, and how many were returned to the life that they tried to escape from. 

Horrible Affair in Newtown

June 22, 1896 Newtown Enterprise

John L. Morris, a young man well-known about Newtown, where he had always lived, was burned in a shocking manner on Sunday morning and died about two o'clock Monday morning. The facts in this terrible affair are substantially as follows: On Sunday morning about a quarter of eight o'clock, Morris was out on Frost Lane, not far from the colored graveyard, where in some manner his clothes caught fire. He threw off both his coats and started down Frost Lane toward Newtown creek, his remaining clothing being all ablaze. In his great agony he would stop and roll over on the ground in the hope of extinguishing the flames, and then hurry on, all the time shouting for help. Patrick Nolan, who lives near by, was the first to notice Morris in his pitiable condition and rushing up to him with a bucket of water emptied it over him, extinguishing the flames. Nolan then took him into his house, from which place he was shortly removed to the house of James M. Voorhees, his cousin, not far away, and Dr. Crewitt was summoned. Morris was burned in a horrible manner about the arms, breast and stomach, and the doctor saw at once that recovery was impossible. He retained consciousness until sometime in the evening and conversed with those about him. Death came to the relief of the sufferer, as before stated, at two o'clock Monday morning. The news of the affair spread rapidly about town on Sunday and many people visited Frost Lane and Voorhees' house, where the injured man lay. At the former place the gathered up buttons, bits of clothing, and other things as mementos of the sad affair. In a washout in the road near the graveyard there was found a copy of a religious paper partly burned, and, it is believed that Morris was in this washout when the fire started. About twenty yards away lay the coats. From this place to where Patrick Nolan reached the blazing man is about 300 yards. It was evidently Morris' intention to run to the creek and throw himself therein and so extinguish the flames. In one of his pockets was found another copy of the religious paper thoroughly saturated with coal oil. His coats also bore evidence of having been too near a coal oil can. On Saturday night he had slept in the Methodist Church and from there wended his way the following morning to the scene of th fatal occurrence. The deceased was a man without any fixed home. For two or three weeks past he had been boarding at Bartly Rightly's. He had always been somewhat weak-minded, and a recent disastrous termination of a love affair seemed to affect him unfavorably. He was erratic in his habits. At times he would work, and then would wanter about evidently without any desire for useful occupation. At one time he was a student at a commercial school in Philadelphia. He was a member of the Newtown M. E. Church, though he had recently asked to have his name stricken from the roll, and was also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He held a paid-up policy in the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. His age was 28 years. The deceased was a son of the late Linton Morris, of Newtown township. His mother, Eliza Morris, resides in Philadelphia, and did not reach her son's bedside until he had become unconscious. Three brothers and two sisters survive, namely: Edward B. Morris, of Langhorne Manor; Ellwood Morris, of Philadelphia; Lemuel H. Morris, of Merchantville, N.J.; Ellie Kemble and Miranda Morris, of Burlington, N.J. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Methodist Church at two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. An appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Wood. The remains were interred in the graveyard adjoining the church. 

Barclay J. Smith

Barclay J. Smith

Barclay Jeremiah Smith was born June 11, 1834 in Buckmanville, Upper Makefield Township to Ralph Smith and his wife Miranda Walton. These Smiths were descended from William Smith, who emigrated from Yorkshire, England in 1684 and settled in Bucks County and was the progenitor of a proud and large local family. Barclay was a cousin to noted figures Josiah B. Smith and Lettie A. Smith.

Buckmanville Store Arnold Bros. View

As a child, Barclay excelled in mathematics and was noted as being a good left-handed pitcher in school games. When he was 23 he bought property in Buckmanville and started a mercantile business. On July 14, 1862, the post office was established, and Barclay was the first postmaster. Barclay speculated land  starting in 1857 and at one time or another owned every one of the small lots that compromise the village. Smith's influence was sorely missed when he left for Newtown, and the village's growth came to a sudden halt. 

Barclay J. Smith's Store and Residence 1859

Lydia Ann Wood

From his beginnings at his mercantile store and real estate conveyancing, he would rise to become one of Newtown's most industrious and well-known citizens. Let's start with the first half of his obituary, as it gives insight into how heavily involved with Newtown business affairs Barclay was. 

Thirty years ago Barclay J. Smith was a leading business man of Newtown and one of the best-known men in Bucks County. After having been successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Buckmanville for six or eight years, he moved to Newtown, and in the spring of 1864 was instrumental in organizing the First National Bank of Newtown, which was chartered March 4th of that year, and of which he was the first cashier. The meeting for the organization of the bank was held at the Temperance House, and it was opened in the room now used as the express office in the Tomlinson Building on State street and Washington avenue. Barclay only held the position of cashier for about a year, and the withdrew and engaged in the real estate business with Owen W. Worstall, under the firm name of B.J. Smith & Co. For a number of years this firm did a very extensive business, selling many of the properties in middle and lower Bucks county, some of them several times over. Worstall later withdrew from the firm, and Barclay eventually sold out to George K. Ridgeway.

While still in the real estate business, Barclay J. Smith, ever active in business affairs, organized the Newtown Banking Company, of which he was president during the whole of its existence. He built the present Wynkoop Building, in which the Banking Company was established. The Newtown Fire Insurance Company also owed its existence to him. In the building of the Newtown Railroad he was very active. 

September 15, 1870 Newtown Enterprise

September 23, 1871 Newtown Enterprise

A respected and successful businessman, Barclay's resume is impressive. In addition to that he was superintendent of Friends' first-day school, treasurer, secretary and director of the Newtown Gas and Water Company, treasurer of the Newtown Turnpike Road Company and the Bridgetown Turnpike Company, was the corresponding secretary of the Whittier Institure, was involved with the Warminster Fire Insurance Company, originated the idea of building the Newtown Railroad, was secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Mining Company and had interest in the Fairview Mill in Rocksville. At his height in Newtown he controlled six companies and once large trust. He was a trustworthy man of distinction.

September 23, 1871 Newtown Enterprise

Owing to having interest in too many businesses at once, Barclay found himself overwhelmed and in 1873 he sold out of his real estate conveyancing business to George K. Ridgeway. The paper noted that His many friends and customers will, no doubt, regret the change, but the interests of insurance and banking here have grown under the care of their projector, Mr. Smith, to such an importance as to require his entire attention, rendering it necessary for him to relinquish the other branch of his business.

January 3, 1874 Newtown Enterprise

In 1871, Barclay J. Smith and others incorporated the Newtown Banking Company. Stock was sold to the public, and Smith used his connections and business acumen to build the bank's capital. He placed ads in the papers selling stock at various times. Most of the subscribers were locals, who placed their trust in Barclay and the bank.

March 30, 1872 Newtown Enterprise

Barclay advertised that the bank was an "Old and Reliable Institution", and that the deposits of the community would be safe and secure. By all appearances, the bank was doing exceedingly well at this time. They advertised a paid up capital of $100,000 and many people in town owned shares, there were around 100 stockholders. Barclay was one of the largest stockholders, as was the Newtown Fire Insurance Company. One advertisement essentially said that it was impossible for this bank to fail, which was the prevailing thought at the time.

Oct 27, 1877 Newtown Enterprise

By 1878, things appeared to be going very well for Barclay J. Smith. The railroad opening was a huge event in Newtown, Barclay had shoveled the first spade of dirt in 1872 and was involved throughout the process, perhaps too involved. 

The railroad took six years to complete and wasn't without its share of problems. A financial panic in 1873 caused work to be stopped for lack of funds. The company was reorganized after the mortgage on the road was foreclosed, with Barclay J. Smith as treasurer. The bondholders bought into the road and turned their bonds into stock. Eventually, thanks in large part to help from the Newtown Banking Company, the road was opened on February 2, 1878. Newtown was now connected to Philadelphia, which would help the community grow and prosper in the decades to come. 

At this time, the Newtown Fire Insurance Company had some losses after a fire in Philadelphia amounting to a few thousand dollars. Barclay was stretched too thin and couldn't borrow any more money, the bubble burst. 

The immense costs incurred with the railroad were about to catch up with him, and the others who trusted him. With his hands in so many baskets, businesses were bound to get mingled together. Barclay's business practices got him in over his head and shortly it would all crumble. The local newspapers covered the situation relentlessly, particularly The Newtown Enterprise, which on May 11, 1878 reported:

The Recent Failure - The failure of Barclay J. Smith of this place, was announced on Thursday the 2nd, and the last paper was printed on Friday morning, giving us only time and room to announce the fact in an article prepared mainly by him. A week has intervened, and the subject has been the principal talk of the town and vicinity ever since; and as is natural on such occasions, there have been many exaggerations and misrepresentations.

Mr. Smith founded the Newtown Banking Company and the Newtown Fire Insurance Company. He was the principal stockholder of both these concerns, and managed them both, almost exclusively. What the Directors of either institution knew of the business was obtained from him. He also originated the idea of building the Newtown Railroad. He conceived the plan of an association of men joining together, purchasing a charter, organizing a company and issuing bonds, on which bonds the road was to be built. A loss of confidence in all such enterprises, when this organization was just getting under way, ruined its prospects. A number of persons had joined with him in this project, and it was persisted in after all home of the completion of the road under the arrangement should have been given up, entailing very serious loss on many, as well as himself; losses from which some will not be able to recover. The Railroad, the Bank and the Insurance Company were united together by a financial chain. The greater part of the money invested in the Railroad was lost when it was sold, and when Mr. Bush agreed to complete it, nearly all the old indebtedness was wiped out, and he received the new bonds issued under the first mortgage.

But the Bank was apparently on a firm foundation. A list of it's stockholders was published on June 18th, 1877, in connection with the settlement of the condition of the Bank at that time. (A list of stockholders follows, with Barclay J. Smith owning 100 shares, and Newtown Insurance Co owning 125 shares. The next highest shareholder held 75 shares and the majority held 10 or less.)

This was accompanied by a circular calling attention to the soundness of the Bank, stating that interest would be paid on deposits, and that the stockholders were liable for deposits, principal and interest. There may have been a few changes in the names of the stockholders since that date. The lowest the stock ever sold at public sale was $90, and previous to that it has sold at par. As to the present state of the Bank we know nothing. The Directors met on Friday of Last week. Dr. Benj. Smith, the Cashier, was absent on a visit to his son Edward in Minnesota, and intended when he left to remain about three weeks. Barclay J. Smith was left in charge of the Bank and books, the latter to be put in shape for examination previous to another meeting to be held on Wednesday, the 8th.

Barclay J. Smith also owned the grocery and provision store kept in the basement of the bank building, known as the "Rosewood" store, with Lukens Wood as manager. Lukens had no direct interest in the store but was hired to conduct it. This was kept open, and some of the creditors obtained goods. It was intended that the store should pay its debts, independent of any other connection.

It is impossible to calculate either the direct or ultimate losses that have and may result from this failure. The stock of the Bank was $100 per share, and it is easy to calculate how much each stockholder will lose directly, but how much they will be involved in paying depositors is not known. This much for the Bank. But apart from this, we learn that the heads of two of the largest and most prominent business firms of the place are involved on account of endorsing paper for Mr. Smith - These gentlemen are among our most enterprising citizens, foremost in any improvement of project for the benefit of the town, conduct business employing a large number of men, and have always enjoyed the confidence and respect of their fellow citizens. We are assured that both these firms (and we may as well name them, Hillborn & Buckman and Hillborn & Worstall,) are sound, and able to meet all liabilities.

On Wednesday the Directors of the Bank met and had a consultation with the President, who explained to them the situation of affairs. He acknowledged that he had taken large sums out of the bank and put them in the railroad without the knowledge of the Directors. They adjourned, appointing Geo. A. Jenks, one of their body, to take charge of the books and property of the Bank. 

Thus far we have endeavored to give the situation of things as we see it, honestly and fairly. There is much talk and rumor. There appears to be a general surprise manifested among stockholders, depositors and others, that the Directors, on ascertaining the condition of affairs, did not take possession of the Bank, the books and papers, and put them in the hands of a proper disinterested person to hold and investigate. It is said the Insurance Company is still doing business. Some time ago the President, Alfred Blaker, resigned, and Cyrus Hillborn was put in his place. Samuel J. Bunting and Oliver H. Holcomb, Directors, also resigned, and we have not heard of their places being filled. The business of the Company is all transacted in Philadelphia.

Having published this much it seems proper to give what we suppose was the motive of Mr. Smith in appropriating these funds. A large sum of money had already been invested in the Railroad. To keep the concern alive, to retain possession of it, until arrangements could be made to have it completed, was his constant effort, and to the end he devoted much time, attention and money. He thought if he could regain control of it, it would eventually be completed, become renumberative, and then all the money advanced would be returned or secured. The result was different, and the road passed beyond his control, was lost, and the greater part of the investment sunk. He took the risk and failed. Had he been successful, he would have been praised as a shrewd financier. As he failed, he is denounced, and more severely by those who lose nothing.

A meeting of the stockholders is called at the rooms of the Bank on Saturday, May 18th at 2 o'clock PM.

Barclay J. Smith furnishes the following statement.

The liabilities of the Newtown Banking Company have been ascertained to be as follows: $17,148.54 due on book account to 70 depositors; $23,494.62 due on certificates of deposit, upon which not more than an average of one month's interest is due; $32,481.41 due to banks and bankers, $16,792.00 of which is secured by bonds and stocks; $6,565 due to other parties not bankers. The assets of the bank would be ample under favorable circumstances to meet all these obligations, but at present it is difficult to compute the exact value of some securities held, and a deficiency of $12,000 to $18,000 may exist. Every effort will be made by the board to hasten settlements, and if the creditors will accept the securities and notes held, the whole business could be closed up in a few months; if the whole amount has to be paid in cash, it will take a much longer time to arrive at this result. On examination it is found that most of the notes which cannot now be collected were made in 1874 and 1875, being those of the President of the Bank and other parties engaged in building the railroad, some of which are still good and will have to be met. Nothing was loaned to the Railroad Company direct, but the managers and parties engaged in the work, on individual names, and on collaterals now worthless. May 11, 1878 Newtown Enterprise

Barclay J. Smith had gotten himself into major financial trouble, and the trusting people of Newtown were the ones who would pay the price. 

The Germantown Telegraph reported The failure of the Newtown Banking Company, which will probably close the existence of the Newtown Insurance Company, turns out to be more unfavorable for Barclay J. Smith and the stockholders than was expected. It was as usual the result of the one man power - the Board of Directors being merely so many ciphers. 

Barclay J. Smith was the man with too much power. 

Meetings of creditors, stockholders, directors of the institutions followed while they all tried to get a grip on the situation Barclay had created. One meeting of the stockholders of the bank was likened to attending a funeral. Barclay continued to publish statements and rebuttals in the paper, and much was written about both sides of the case. 

On May 25th, the Enterprise published a long and laborious letter from Smith in which he attempts to explain the situation he found himself in. 

The time devoted to making a statement of my individual affairs for your examination will not enable me to enter into details, but I ask your patience for a few moments while I give a few facts which led to the unfortunate close of my business career at this place, because I think it is due you and me and those most nearly connected with me, to have set out the cause as well as the result of my sad experience. 

He then goes on to detail some agreements in which the parties tried to limit the financial damage and individual liabilities of the partners caused by the growing need for an influx of money into the railroad. At this point the railroad company had debt in excess of $100,000, mostly drawn on the Newtown Banking Company. The Fire Insurance Company owned 125 shares of the Bank. Here we see how the railroad, bank and insurance company were all tangled financially. 

Smith laments that he was young and sanguine and that he was encouraged by all the ability and power of language my associated possessed, to build the road at all hazards, and they would stand by me. In other words, it's not my fault the railroad got into trouble because of your encouragement.

By September 1st, 1874, Smith admitted to having advanced the railroad the enormous sum of $184,116.75. (Note, it may be $134k.) Holding such high positions at the bank and railroad enabled him to funnel money from one company to the other, with no regard to the effect it was having. He had total control and little oversight, a bad combination. I had got myself into the scrape, and could get out as best I could he writes.

Barclay's improprieties caused prominent local businessman J. Pemberton Hutchinson to publicly disassociate with him. 

June 1, 1878 Newtown Enterprise

In May of 1878 the Newtown Banking company officially closed its doors, followed swiftly by the Newtown Fire Insurance Company. Two of Newtown's most reliable businesses cut down in one fell swoop. It is a dark cloud without a silver lining, with scarcely a ray of light through it. The Newtown Gas and Water Company survived the fiasco, J.P. Hutchinson took over for Barclay's multiple positions in the company upon his resignation. 

The town was crushed under the weight of the ordeal. Newspapers published local viewpoints, as well as rebuttals to other papers' errors in reporting. People argued they were no different than Barclay in that they also put money into the railroad and lost it, he shouldn't be looked at as a martyr. The case was a lesson to those who blindly trusted their money without ample security. 

Barclay argued With all my embarrassments I never had a doubt of the ability of the bank to meet its engagements, because I believed it secure, to a great extent, although I have advised but one person for a long time to put money in the bank stock or certificate.

To which a local replied He had no doubt of the ability of the bank to meet its engagements, when he had taken almost everything out of it! He never asked but one person to put money in the bank stock or certificate. But he asked them to deposit it, which is the same thing. They go on to call him out on a circular that Smith published called "twenty good reasons" for depositing money in the Newtown Banking Company.

The heat was on Barclay, and on June 4th, 1878, he skipped town.

The July 20th Enterprise reports that Barclay had been heard from. He wrote a letter from Helena, Montana Territory, which was first published in the Intelligencer. 

Esteemed Friends - After the announcement of my failure, May 1st, I worked almost unceasingly for five weeks, during which time I set in order the books of the companies with which I was connected, settled up with and resigned my position as executive officer in four of them and two were placed in other hands to be closed up. My personal affairs were given to trusted friends to dispose of and distribute the little there was left among my creditors. On the second of June I packed my valise to go to the Argentine Republic, South America, expecting to take passage on the new steamship City of Para, of the Brazilian line, which was in sail June 6th. Owing to failure to consummate a business arrangement for which I was going there in time for this steamer, and the entreaties of my mother, who came to visit me the day before I was going to engage my passage, not to go too far away, I gave it up, and on the evening of June 4th, not having anything to detain me there, and no business at which I could earn much more than a living for myself and family, I took the Cincinnati express for Montana. 

I would be glad to give your readers any information about the character and resources of the Territory. My address is Helena, M. T., and it is my intention to stay in the Territory. I propose to engage in the manufacture of an article which is in general demand and can be produced here at about the cost of transportation from the States - provided a little capital that has been tendered me shall be forthcoming. If so, I will visit the States in a few months to procure machinery and bring out my family. I can make no promises, but had I come here ten years ago, when things were even better than now, I believe I could have built several railroads as long as the Newtown and not become insolvent by it.

We see that despite his failure, Barclay J. Smith's confidence did not wane and he threw himself right into a new venture. A month later he was reported to be back in the insurance business in Helena. In September, his family joined him at their new home. Barclay was immediately back up to his old habit of getting involved in too many businesses, he was now reported to be in the cracker and cake manufacturing business. 

On June 21st the sale of the personal property of Barclay J. Smith was held in Newtown, which included his various stock holdings.

 

June 29th, 1878 Newtown Enterprise

Things quickly turned again for Smith. The Philadelphia Times reported that Barclay J. Smith was arrested by Joseph Rue in Helena on a requisition from the governor charging that he was a fugitive from justice. Michael Satterthwaite, Wm. Godley Ellis and Elmer H. Rogers filed a complaint charging Smith with embezzlement. Despite the arrest, Smith was not sent back to Bucks County. Papers said he immediately took advantage of all the legal means in his power to prevent or delay his leaving the place. There is no assurance of his having left there, and it may be some time before he arrives in Bucks County.

Smith penned a letter to the three men who tried to have him arrested in which he states that the charges are insufficient to warrant a return to Pennsylvania. He says that if they believe what they have swore to, he will come home at their cost and be tried in any court and have no counsel or witnesses on his behalf. 

Satterthwaite, Ellis and Rogers prepared an "open letter" to Smith that was sent to him in Helena, as well as published in the Enterprise on December 21, 1878. In it they agree to pay his travel expenses if he will return to Bucks County. 

Open Letter to B. J. Smith

The January 1, 1879 Enterprise reported that

The "open letter" of Satterthwaite, Ellis and Rogers, sent to B. J. Smith at Helena, Montana was duly received there, and news of its reception has been returned here. He declines to come on at this time, on account of business complications.

It is further reported that they tried to publish this "open letter" in two of Helena's newspapers but were rejected. It seems that Barclay had secured the sympathies of the press, people and officials of Helena. Barclay's response to the letter was that he declined to come home at that time due to business complications. 

In May of 1879, Barclay J. Smith was disowned by the Monthly Meeting in Newtown after mature deliberation. 

March 29, 1879 Newtown Enterprise

Property of Barclay J. Smith incorrectly labeled as JB Smith

Shortly after this in June 1879, the papers for bringing Smith back were prepared in Doylestown and a requisition was signed between Governors in Harrisburg. Joseph Rue was once again dispatched for Montana with the expectation that Smith would come home this time.

A dispatch from Bismarck, Dakota, says that detective Joseph Rue, of this city, has reached that place with Barclay J. Smith, ex-Treasurer of the Philadelphia, Newtown and New York Railroad Company, ex-president of the Newtown Banking Company. amd ex-president of the Newtown Fire Insurance Company. Smith was arrested at Helena, Montana, where he had been living in apparent poverty with his family for about a year. He is being brought on to Newtown, Bucks county, to answer to those whose money he is accused of having embezzled. His parting from his family in Montana is said to have been very affecting. When arrested he was preparing to start on an overland trip to Puget Sound. July 10, 1879 Philadelphia Times

The hearing was arranged to take place at the office of John B. Pugh, Esq., Doylestown. The burden of proof now rest on the shoulders of Michael Satterthwaite, who was one of the men who made the affidavit asking for the requisition. His partner in the requisition, Lewis B. Scott, was out of state and not coming back.

During this period, Barclay showed up unannounced in a place he was previously disowned. 

When the congregation in Friends Meeting was sitting in silence in the forenoon of Sunday last, who should walk into the house and take his accustomed seat but Barclay J. Smith. He came up on the train, which was somewhat behind time, and came direct from the station to the meeting. When the meeting broke up there was a regular hand-shaking. He looks very well. August 9, 1879 Newtown Enterprise

Presumably, Barclay's father's standing in the community, as well as Barclay's once prominent role in the Society gained him reacceptance. 

At the trial, Satterthwaite could not produce a shred of evidence that Barclay J. Smith had embezzled funds. The lawyers asked that the case be thrown out as there was not a single person or a single fact to make up a case of criminality against Mr. Smith. The Philadelphia Times said that Barclay exclaimed "Glory to God!", which the Enterprise said was simply not true and that he sat entirely unaffected.

After the trial, Barclay returned home to Montana and wrote his requisite letter published in the Enterprise. A letter from General H. G. Sickel, of the Newtown Railroad, was published in the Helena Herald which attested confidence in Barclay's character and pledged money towards his journey home. Barclay had to do damage control on his reputation. He already had one business in Helena fail after the first time he was arrested.

Barclay's second stint in Montana did not last long, as on December 20th, 1879 the Enterprise said that his new address would be San Francisco. Barclay and family were off to California, a new start in search of business success.

Apparently, he wasn't as successful in raising capital out West as he was in Bucks County, for the April 17th, 1880 Enterprise reported Barclay J. Smith has made a request of his friends in Newtown to raise him capital with which to go into business at San Francisco. He must've been desperate to appeal to those who he so recently harmed financially. First, Barclay and son opened a restaurant in San Francisco that didn't last long. 

In October we learn that Barclay went back to his roots. He was in the grocery business with a former resident of Bucks County, D. W. Jenney. He would drop his partner and replace him with his son and this grocery business would end up being a great success.

We are informed that Barclay J. Smith, formerly of Newtown, is now doing a very large and profitable business in the grocery line in San Francisco, California, in the name of his son Harper A. Smith. No one here doubts the business capacity and energy of Barclay, and it is safe to say that his old friends, neighbors and acquaintances are all gratified to hear of his prosperity after his unfortunate financial failure here. During the recent holiday season he employed as high as twenty assistants, has a number of wagons delivering goods throughout the city, and his trade extends into the interior to a considerable distance. February 3, 1883 Newtown Enterprise

Barclay's store continued to prosper, and for a few years we hear only sparingly from the man out West.

June 16, 1892 San Francisco Call

Few readers, we take it, but are familiar with the title "Smith's Cash Store." In a few years it has become as generally well known as any landmark or any similar distinctive title the city posesses. And that it holds a very favorable place in public opinion is evidenced in the business it transacts. Its growth is not so much owing to advertising as would be imagined, although it has always been a large and judicious advertiser. Advertising has of course played a very important part, but back of this was the great main point that it carried out fully the wording of its advertisements. It meant what was stated in the papers, and hence confidence was engendered towards it, on the part of the public. The success of Smith's Cash Store is the success of a previously outlined policy. And the success has been achieved in the face of a very vigorous competition and under not a few difficulties. The store has been conducted differently from others, and reflects very able management by which such obstacles as were encountered were overcome however. Its growth, though rapid, has been gradual, and it is evident each step taken was carefully thought out. Its history shows that no risks were indulged in. Ambition was kept well in hand. Many, had they been at the head of such an enterprise, would have inaugurated different branches, would have selected more conspicuous locality for the retail trade, would have made more display. Eagerness would have urged on enterprise to a too rapid development. But the enterprise of this store is a prudent one, and hence its success and the stable place it holds in commercial circles. October 10, 1892 San Francisco Chronicle

In many less words, business was good and the Smiths were good people according to San Franciscans. An advertisement from Sacramento shows that the store had a capital stock of $200,000. This time, Barclay didn't control the bank, so presumably the stockholders weren't worried about another collapse. 

Smith's Cash Store Business Card

In 1895 the number of workers employed by the Smiths had risen to two dozen and business was booming. The father and son team found themselves the subject of local articles. They moved locations multiple times until they settled in at 27 Market Street, a beautiful six-story building that they fully occupied which was described as one of the handsomest buildings that has recently been constructed. 

Jan 17, 1897 San Francisco Call

It is a proud monument to its owner and builder and an everlasting ornament in San Francisco. Smith's Cash Store is a name familiar in almost every household, not alone in San Francisco but throughout California. The growth of this establishment has been phenomenal, and it occupies to-day a leading place among the commercial houses of this coast.  

Barclay had once again risen to the heights he dreamed about. From his humble beginnings at the Buckmanville Store, to a six story megastore in San Francisco, Barclay never gave up and found success more times than he lost it.

Barclay acclimated himself to California and grew into the same figure that he was in Newtown, maybe greater. He housed 10 to 14 people, most of whom he employed in some capacity. He was a leading religious figure, and started a kindergarten for underprivileged children. 

That isn't to say the store was without it's problems. 

February 2, 1900 San Francisco Call Bulletin

Once again, disaster struck Barclay J. Smith. In 1900 it was reported that the liabilities of the store were $120,000 to $126,000, and the assets were about $10,000 more. Those figures must've seemed familiar to Barclay. This time, no bank was a creditor and the largest creditor was owed $20,000. Barclay gave his customary excuse.

Owing to some reverses and probably to increased expenses our checks were thrown out of a bank last Tuesday and notes held by the bank amounting to $6,500 or thereabouts were charged against the account for funds believed to be in the bank to meet these checks. We tried to redeem our discredited paper, but finding the entire amount was afloat we concluded to stop payment and called a committee of our creditors together, who decided that the nest thing to be done was to place the entire matter in the hands of the Board of Trade, which was done. Our business has grown to almost $1,00,000 per annum in actual cash sales, and was one of the most prosperous on Market street. I hope than an arrangement will be reached that will enable us to go on.

This time, the failure wouldn't be permanent. By agreeing to pay off a large loan of $61,500, Barclay regained control and ownership of his store.

June 30, 1900 San Francisco Call Bulletin

Barclay went right back to selling stock in the store in 1901, calling what had just failed the Best and safest investment in town. Barclay was nothing if not persistent. 

On December 12, 1903, the Newtown Enterprise reported that Barclay J. Smith, of San Francisco Cal., formerly of Newtown, is reported as being very ill. Three days later the San Francisco Chronicle announced the death of Barclay J. Smith.

December 15, 1903 San Francisco Chronicle

Now for the rest of his obituary, from the December 19th edition of the Newtown Enterprise:

The Business Career of the deceased in Bucks County ended with the collapse of the Newtown Banking Company and the Newtown Fire Insurance Company in the spring of 1878, soon after the opening of the Newtown Railroad for travel. Soon afterward he went West, first to Helena, Montana, where he kept an eating house, and later to San Francisco, Cal. and embarked in the mercantile business, the same in the course of time growing to large proportions. In that city by the Pacific the remaining years of his life were spent, his business duties being interspersed with religious work.

Barclay J. Smith was a son of the late Ralph Smith and was born in Upper Makefield township. He was possibly 75 years of age. His wife, who survives, was Lydia A. Wood, of Montgomery county. There are two children - Harper A. Smith, who was engaged in business with his father, and a daughter, Laura M. Greer.

The remains will be brought East and interred with his kindred in the Friends' graveyard at Wrightstown. Notice of the funeral to be held at the meetinghouse at that place appears elsewhere. 

After his death, newspapers continued to write about the man and the differing opinions locals had about him. A letter called "The Other Side", penned by "S." shows how some felt towards the deceased. 

The "marvelous business rise" of the late deceased, from five dollars to a great building and the employment of one hundred and fifty hands, would strike the reader as being more meritorious and indicate more genuine business ability if it had enabled him to make some restitution to the numbers of women he had made poor, some of them destitute, and children who were deprived of their rightful inheritance because of the losses their parents sustained in the broken bank, the fire insurance, and the other ventures of his which they were over-persuaded into and which proved to be total failures. January 2, 1904 Newtown Enterprise

Two weeks later, we see a rebuttal called "Again the Other Side", written by "Justice".

There were severe reserves occasioned by the collapse of the Newtown Banking Company, and the aged, the widow and the orphan suffered, and the effects are felt yet. No one sympathizes more with these than does the writer of this. That the losses were small compared with those occasioned by a recently wrecked back of this county does not enter into the question but this does: that the money lost in our local institution in 1878 did not go to individual benefit, but mainly for the building of the Newtown Railroad, or to replenish losses of corporations subsidiary to that. Barclay J. Smith was no sporting character reveling in the money wrong from the widow and orphan. Those who visited his home in Newtown saw him living in a plain house in a plain way. He made grievous mistakes in his optimism, and the money he encouraged his friends to put in his undertakings went to the bad, but if it does his financial victims no good, that the process of his borrowing went elsewhere than to his comfort and high living is a factor in his favor. 

Finally, the papers had enough of the discourse. On January 30, 1904, the Enterprise published:

For some weeks the Enterprise has given up much space to the merits and demerits of the late Barclay J. Smith, who recently died in California, and was buried at Wrightstown, as seen from the standpoint of both "Justice" and "S." The subject matter has been thoroughly ventilated on both sides, and as far as we are concerned, in the language of President Cassalt, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in discussing the recent side-tracking of Philadelphia, the "incident is peremptorily closed."

Smith's store continued to be run by Harper after Barclay's death, until the earthquake of 1906 destroyed it and there was no insurance to replace it. 

Barclay J. Smith was ruined by his ambition. The failure of the  Newtown Banking Company was a severe blow to the people of Newtown and vicinity, who had placed implicit confidence in its management. Smith rose to prominence, fell to ruin and rose back up. His successes and failures can be measured by the impact he made in the community. In the end, Barclay is remembered as an interesting figure in Newtown's history.