I stumbled across the following information on an ancestry board which helps explain more about Peter Wallover. Please...if anyone has info about Peter Wallover... send it to me at Denianek@gmail.com. Especially watch for mention of "Kartchner" "Kirchner" or any of Margaret Walton or her family. Thanks!
From: JWtopwater@aol.com
Subject: [WOHLEBEN-L] Peter Wallover
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 20:30:03 EDT
Subject: [WOHLEBEN-L] Peter Wallover
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 20:30:03 EDT
From: The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Old Mills of Mill Creek, Lower Merion by Charles R. Barker
Pg. #17 - Mention has already been made of the sale,in 1807, by
George McClenachan, of a portion of the original Robert Mill tract, with the paper mill. The buyer was Peter Walover, a Lower Merion paper maker. Previous to making this purchase, he has operated,on lease the Paul Jones paper mill near west Manayunk; but after the sale of that property to George
Helmbold,another paper maker ,he probably found it desirable to set up for
himself. To Robert Sutcliffe, a noted friend ,we are indebted for what is
undoubtly a picture of Wallover and his mill,although Sutcliffe's quaint
delicacy forbids his referring to anybody except by initials. The account,as
extracted from his diary,is as follows:
Having been several times kindly invited, I dined with P.W., a respectable paper-maker in the neighborhood of Merion,where I spent the afternoon pleasantly. The situation is beautifully romantic, being a deep narrow valley, the steep hills on either side of which are covered with wood. The mill which would be considered as an extensive one even in England, is almost wholly employed in making writing and printing paper,with large quantities of which he supplies the printers and stationers in Philadelphia.
During the visit he gave me a little history of his life. About twenty years
ago, being then twelve yrs. of age,he left Mentz,his native place in Germany, accompanied by his father, who died on passage to this country. Being of that class of immigrants called Redemptioners already mentioned,P.W. on the arrival of the ship in the Delaware,was hired by Henry Drinker,and was employed about the house as a waiting boy, and assistant to the girls in the kitchen. After spending nearly four years in this family,and having acquired the English language, he had the good sense to discern,that it would be more to his interest to be taught some manufacture; and requested liberty of his master to be put apprentice to a paper-maker,which was readily granted,although his first indenture was not yet expired.
After having obtained a knowledge of the manufacture of paper,he, by industry and care, acquired sufficient property and credit to enable him to begin his
business;which he has now, for several years,carried on to advantage. I never was in a paper mill where the business was managed with more neatness and order."
business;which he has now, for several years,carried on to advantage. I never was in a paper mill where the business was managed with more neatness and order."
This is surely a picture of prosperity, but unfortunately the picture has
two sides. For a sheriffs sale swept away the little property, which was
knocked down to Evan Jones. The latter continued to operate the paper mill
until 1848; then changed it to a cotton and woolen mill etc, etc.
From the Philadelphische Correspondenz (German newspaper).
November 26,1790
Freiederich Schuetz, papermaker, Lower Merion township Montgomery
County, advertises that his german servant, Peter Wallauer, ran away. He is
19 years old, has learned paper making, and speaks good English.
Peter Wallover,Sr. died April 17, 1824 and is buried at St.Pauls
Cemetery in Ardmore,Penna. Peter is listed as a veteran of the War of 1812
and his grave is suitably marked. During the war of 1812,he served in the 5th
class,36th Regimen,2nd Division,recruited in Bucks and Montgomery counties.
From: Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania" by Jordan,Volume
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