Included are photographs, woodcut and a January, 1913 newsclipping with the following text:
"Information about the old Green Tree Tavern that does not appear in the different books on the history of Germantown, is printed in the Quarterly of the First Methodist Church.
"The church recently bought the old tavern property, adjoining the church on the north, the intention being to preserve this ancient structure and to use the extensive grounds in the rear for recreation purposes for the young people of the congregation.
"A grandson of Francis Daniel Pastorius, founder of Germantown, built the tavern in 1748. Afterwards Daniel Mackinett was the proprietor for some years, and it was a famous stopping place for sleighing parties.
"About 1800 it was called 'The Hornets' Nest,' the largest hornets' nest in the neighborhood being there. All sorts of curiosities were collected and kept there.
"In 1850 George W. Carpenter bought the property from J. D. Bells, and the Quarterly quotes the following abstract from Carpenter's deed book:
'This property is famously known in olden time as the
Green Tree Tavern. It was well known in the revolutionary
struggle and also after the achievement of Independence as the
resort of several very conspicuous tories who resided in
Germantown. It was here that
"Melchor Ming and old Cook
Andrew Heath & Sir Lightfoot"
did congregate, and an amusing ballad, of which the above were
the first two lines, was in circulation. It was well known to
the aristocrats of Philadelphia as a highly fashionable and well
kept hotel for a period of forty or fifty years up to about 1820,
and where the elderly epicures of Philadelphia after their dinner
rode out and regaled their Havana segars and old Madeira with the
gusto..... 'The premises is at the present time occupied as a fashionable boarding house. It is large and commodious and accommodates now 30 to 40 of the most fastidious citizens of Philadelphia during the summer months. 'It is rented to Mr. King at $300 per annum, payable quarterly...His term will expire April 1, 1851. 'I paid for this property $4500--$1500 in cash and $3000 to remain on it. My intention is to increase the size of the back buildings, which can be done at a moderate cost and will pay 20 per cent. interest on the outlay. Germantown property is rapidly advancing in value, and this located in the very best part of the borough and as the buildings and population increase must advance in value. The house is insured for $2000, and the barn for $400 perpetually in the Mutual Green Tree...' |
"The property for which Carpenter paid $4500 in 1850 was sold to the First Methodist Church for $20,000 in 1912."
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