R ea m schR ea m schR ea m schR ea m sch tttt ed d e l N ew sed d e l N ew sed d e l N ew sed d e l N ew s The Reamstown Historical Society and

Museum RHS-M.org

P. O. Box 35, Reamstown, PA 17567-0035

Winter 2016, Volume X, Issue 4

BINGO!

FREE! New Year’s Eve Family Bingo Night at the Reamstown Fire Hall

Scenes from our 2015 New Year’s Eve Bingo Event – See page 3 for details on our 2016 Event.

The President’s 2 Cents

As 2016 comes to an end, we are looking forward to our annual New Year’s Eve family bingo night at the Reamstown Fire Company. We hope that you can stop by and join us for a fun evening, and a chance to win some great prizes that have been donated by local companies. You also have a chance to help support the Fire Company by purchasing the refreshments they will have for sale. As in previous years, at midnight there will be a barrel drop in the street in front of the Union Barrel Works. Now that we have reestablished our federal non-profit tax status, we plan on beginning our efforts to remodel the museum and library, located in the Reamstown Community Center. We will begin a fund raising campaign for the project. Our goal is to begin having regular hours that the museum is open to the public. In addition to the exhibits in the museum, we will have our genealogical research resources available to researchers. Planning for the museum and library renovations will be discussed at our monthly business meetings. Please plan on attending so that you can help with the planning. Having the museum and library open to the public will be a great way to promote the Society and increase our membership.

Ken McCrea, President

Upcoming Events:

Lecture Series

All lectures are free and open to the public. They will be held in the Reamstown Community Center, 23 East Church St., Reamstown, PA. The lectures all begin at 7:00 P.M. If there is another topic you would like to see (or present), let us know!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Landis Valley Heirloom Seed Project will present a program on Heirloom seeds. They are still discovering new varieties. Order forms for seeds will be available.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

The U. S. entry into World War I occurred April 6, 1917 when congress declared war on Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Marking the 100th anniversary of this event, Ken McCrea will present a lecture on East Cocalico residents’ participation in the war, including the six men known to have died in the conflict.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Uhma Ruth Py is a Native American story teller and instructor of native culture and games. She will be explaining Lenape culture.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Ramon and Danielle Townsend will talk about bookbinding and a brief history of the written word. Do you like books? Join us and learn more.

Meeting Dates and Topics

All our regular meetings are open to the public. The presentations will begin

after a brief introduction, and will be followed by a brief business meeting.

Regular meetings are held on the 4th

Tuesday of each month, all at 7:00 P.M. in the

Reamstown Community Center.

Meeting Dates and Topics

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Our annual recipe exchange (with samples, of course!). Come join us for a celebration of historic (but freshly made) “good eats” from Reamstown area.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

A look at our collection of Reamstown school class photos. We will compare them to the school attendance books that we have in the Museum. [postponed from an earlier meeting]

Meeting Dates and Topics (Continued)

Tuesday February 28, 2017

This meeting will have a Show-and-tell program. Bring an interesting artifact, photo, document or other item that relates to or comes from the Reamstown area to show.

Special Events

Saturday, December 31, 2016

New Year’s Eve Family Bingo Night – FREE! Family Bingo at the Reamstown Fire Hall with a barrel drop at midnight at Union Barrel Works. Bingo will begin at 8:30 PM. Many prizes (including cash prizes) have been donated by area businesses. As of 12/19/16 we have received prize donations from Anderson Pharmacy, Choice Fitness, Denver Supply, Eagle Rental, Ebenezer Groceries, Evergreen Diner, Extra Olives, Fox Chase, Gallimaufry (at Stoudtburg Shops), Heinsey Shoe Repair, Kyma/Johnny’s Bar and Steak House, Plum Pudding (at Stoudtburg Shops), Reamstown Historical Society and Museum, Riverside Nail Spa, Styles Underground, Union Barrel Works, Unruh Insurance, Village Sweet Shoppe (at Stoudtburg Shops), and Weis Markets. We anticipate additional prize donors. The Reamstown Fire Company will sell food (all profits go to the Fire Company). At 11:30 the bingo will end, and we will adjourn to the Union Barrel Works for the barrel drop to usher in the New Year. Bring the whole family, and enjoy a fun, low-cost, family-friendly evening in Reamstown!

Martha Brunner, New Year’s Eve Chair, 717-364-0865

We are always looking for lecture ideas, news, old photos, heirloom recipes, early documents,

letters, deed or any items of interest that could be included in the Reamschteddel News or the collections of the Society. We can photograph any items that you want to keep. Send your contribution to the Newsletter or tell us about them via email at: News@RHS-M.org or call us at one of the phone numbers in the membership application in this newsletter.

���� REMINDER: Please send in your 2017 membership dues now! ����

Pennsylvania Gazette Philadelphia, PA

28 OCT 1772, page 3

FEATURED REAMSTOWN PROPERTFEATURED REAMSTOWN PROPERTFEATURED REAMSTOWN PROPERTFEATURED REAMSTOWN PROPERTIESIESIESIES::::

Twenty-One South Reamstown Road Lot 1 in the original plan of Reamstown.

Grantor (Seller) Grantee (Buyer) Deed Date Deed Reference

Brown, Joseph T. and Dawn L.

Sturgill, Richard B. Jr. 23 DEC 2015 6242796

Brown, Jonathan T. and Colleen A.

Brown, Joseph T. and Dawn L.

14 APR 2004 5312259

Harry, William F. Brown, Jonathan T. and Colleen A.

24 SEP 2003 5249889

Kramer, Tim B. and Lori D. Harry, William F. 11 MAR 1994 4264:428

Wenger, C. Virginia and Ardelle M. Moyer, attorneys-in-Fact for Weidler Rathman and Irene S. Rathman

Kramer, Tim B. and Lori D.

13 NOV 1986 O-96:63

Zerbe, A. Shober, executor of John T. Zerbe

Rathman, Weidler and Irene

28 AUG 1943 H-36-412

Rathman, Elsie; Rathman, Clarence and Lesta; Groff, Cora and Weidler Jr.; Betz, Ruth and John; Rathman, Mable; heirs of Elva Rathman

Zerbe, John T. 4 MAY 1943 H-36:411

Rathman, Elam Rathman, Elva, wife of Wayne Rathman

9 NOV 1920 S-25:568

Rathman, Wayne and Elva Rathman, Elam 9 NOV 1920 H-36:410

Swartz, Lloyd and Jennie Rathman, Wayne 5 APR 1916 H-36:410

Schlott, John L. Swartz, Lloyd 14 MAR 1913 E-21:567

Schlott, Hannah Schlott, John 24 JUN 1903 E-17:293

Lesher, Catharine Schlott, Hannah 8 JUN 1869 I-15:470

Gross, John and Sarah; Gross, Martin and Fianna; Gross, Jacob L. and Hannah; Gross, O. P.; Steinmetz, Jacob and Catharine; Becker, George and Elizabeth; heirs of John Gross of Ephrata Township

Lesher, Catharine (widow of John Lesher)

29 MAR 1849 Q-8:208

Twenty-One South Reamstown Road (continued)

Ream, Andrew Jr.; Ream, Peter; Ream, Charles; executors of Andrew Ream deceased

Gross, John 11 APR 1846 Not recorded. Referenced in Q-8:208.

The ownership of this lot from 1777 to 1846 has not been determined.

Ream, Tobias and Juliana [founder of Reamstown]

Looft, Magdalena 24 SEP 1777 Not recorded. Mentioned in

Reamstown Bicentennial book, 1960.

The Reamstown Bicentennial book, 1960, gives this description of Lot 1: “Lot #1 Now owned and occupied by Weidler Rathman. Earliest reference to the disposition of this lot is that Tobias and Juliana Ream deeded it to Magdalena Looft September 24, 1777. The next reference we have is that Catharine Lesher (widow of John Lesher, son of John Henry, son of Nicholas Lesher) sold the lot to her daughter Hannah, the wife of John Schlott, in June 8, 1869. Hannah transferred the lot to her son John L. Schlott, for one dollar on June 24, 1903, who sold it ten years later to Lloyd Swartz for $2000.” The Andrew Ream (1763-1845), son of Abraham Ream, mentioned in deed Q-8:208 was a drummer boy during the Revolutionary War. Reading Eagle, 27 JUL 1942, page 1

Flash Flood Hits Lancaster County Two Drown, Hundreds of Motorists Stranded

Lancaster, July 27 (AP) - A disastrous flash flood struck northeastern Lancaster County last night, causing two drownings and leaving hundreds of motorists stranded for hours on water-swept highways. At least one bridge was washed out and two buildings were set afire by lightning. Property damage was extensive. John Zerbe, 71, of Reamstown, was drowned while trying to swim from his bungalow. Dorothy Long, 13, was drowned while her father, sister and brother looked on after fast-moving torrents overturned their automobile near Martindale. An interesting deed relating to this property was found in the Lancaster County deed books. This deed is Frederick Ream, one of the heirs of Tobias Ream (the founder of Reamstown) selling his “ground rent” interest in the lot back to the owner of the lot. Lancaster County, PA Deed, Volume Q-8, page 210. Ream, Frederick to Catharine Lesher. Know all men by these presents that Frederick Ream of Reamstown East Cocalico Township Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania for and in Consideration of the sum of twenty five dollars and twenty cents in hand paid by Catharine Lesher widow of John Lesher deceased of the same place at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is acknowledged have granted bargained sold

assigned and Set over and by these presents do grant bargain Sell and sign and set over unto the said Catharine Lesher her heirs and assigns all the within mentioned Yearly Ground rent on Lot No. 1. Together with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances whatsoever there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the remains and remainders rents issues and profits thereof. To have and to hold the said Ground rent on Lot No 1. hereby granted and assigned or mentioned or intended so to be with the appurtenances unto the said Catharine Lesher her heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Catharine Lesher and her heirs and assigns forever and the said Frederick Ream and his heirs the said hereby granted and assigned premises with the appurtenances unto the said Catharine Lesher her heirs and assigns against him the said Frederick Ream and his heirs and against all and every other person or persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim by from or under him them or any of them shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal here unto dated the twenty fifth day of April Anno Domini 1857.

Frederick Ream [seal] Sealed and delivered in the presence of us

Tobias Ream Cyrus Ream

Lancaster County SS. The 25th day of April 1857 Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally came the within named Frederick Ream and in due form of law acknowledged the above written assignment to be his act and deed and desired the same might be recorded as such. Witness my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid

Cyrus Ream [seal] Justice of the Peace

Recorded April 28, 1857. J. H. Miller, Recorder.

Reading Eagle, 27 JUL 1911, page 1

Museum Update

This year has been an eye-opener for our volunteers. We have been fortunate to be able to organize

and clean many items that have not been seen for decades. Thanks to Barbara Fichthorn and Joanne

Colon Hess many items have been located and organized.

The Historical Society thanks Beth McCollom and Jeff Lee for opening the museum for school

groups and Ream descendants. Thank you for other volunteers who have helped. The following items

have been found:

• Cocalico Odd Fellows Lodge records from 1850-1949. These include applications that include

the person’s name, occupation, age and address. We hope this will be helpful for our

genealogists.

• Ernest Weinhold 's geneology records are put on shelves in alphabetical order.

• Five new, untouched 1960 Bicentennial books.

• Local church histories and information.

• Posters and information for Bill Good and the Good Brothers.

We are very carefully viewing every piece of paper and item in the museum. Thank you for your

patience while we organize and review the items in the museum.

Remembering Local Heroes

The Malmedy Massacre was a war crime in which 84 American prisoners of war were killed by

their German captors near Malmedy, Belgium, during World War II. The massacre was committed on

December 17, 1944, at Baugnez crossroads, by members of Kampfgruppe Peiper (part of the 1st SS

Panzer Division), a German combat unit, during the Battle of the Bulge. (source: wikipedia.org)

Of the 84 American POW’s murdered that day by the German soldiers, two of them were from East

Cocalico Township. These local heroes were:

George H. Steffy, U. S. Army, born on January 13, 1923 in Mohnton, Berks County, PA, son

of Benjamin F. Steffy & Mamie E. Snader. He lived in East Cocalico Township. He was

buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège,

Belgium.

Luke S. Swartz, U. S. Army, born on April 7, 1922 in Swartzville, East Cocalico Township,

son of Samuel P. Swartz & Gertrude Snyder. He was buried in the Henri-Chapelle

American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium. An

additional memorial is located in Muddy Creek Cemetery in East Cocalico Township.

May their sacrifices, and those of all who served

from our Township not be forgotten.

ClassClassClassClassic Reamstownic Reamstownic Reamstownic Reamstown RecipeRecipeRecipeRecipessss

From Martha Brunner

V{Ü|áàÅtá gÜxtàáV{Ü|áàÅtá gÜxtàáV{Ü|áàÅtá gÜxtàáV{Ü|áàÅtá gÜxtàá

Pulled TaffyPulled TaffyPulled TaffyPulled Taffy 2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup water

Butter size of walnut (2 tablespoons)

Place all ingredients in a large kettle and boil without stirring until a little dropped in cold water forms

a hard crack. Put on a buttered plate until cool enough to handle. Pull Taffy until smooth and nice and

white. You can put a little peppermint or spearmint flavoring your hand for a different flavor. When it

is nice and white, pull in strips and cut in bite-size pieces. Wrap in waxed paper.

Walnut KissesWalnut KissesWalnut KissesWalnut Kisses 2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vinegar

½-¼ cup black walnuts

Pinch of salt

¼ cup granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add salt and vinegar. Gradually add sugar and

beat until very stiff. Fold in walnuts, then drops by teaspoonful’s onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake ten minutes, then turn off oven and leave in the oven for one hour. Makes 3 dozen.

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Reamstown Historical Society and Museum

P. O. Box 35

Reamstown, PA 17567

Road Sign: East Cocalico Twp. Line This East Cocalico Township boundary marker was recently acquired by Ken McCrea. It is cast metal

and relatively thick. Little of the original paint remains, but it appears to have been either black or very

dark blue. It may be made from zinc as it is not attracted to a magnet. Does anyone remember signs like

this? Do you know where it was located and when it was in use? If so, contact Ken at 717-336-5520.