The Speaker's House

The Speaker's House is a historical museum located in Trappe, PA that preserves the home of Frederick August Muhlenberg, the First and Third Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

History of the Muhlenberg House

Overview of the Muhlenberg House: From 1764-1781

The first settlers in the Trappe region were German immigrants John Joseph Schrack (1712-1772) and his wife Eva Rosina Lang Schrack (1688-1756). After settling down there, they decided that, in 1717, that they needed a good home, and so they constructed a log cabin as a place for their residence. Research on this period and location that has been extensively done by historical scholars have found enough evidence which tells us that this married couple created the region that eventually became the Trappe village that we see today. The Schracks had five children while they spent their years living in Trappe. These children were twins Maria Sabin and Anna Maria; Christian, Elizabeth Schrack; and John Jacob II. John Jacob Schrack I at some point, though the date hasn't been completely determined, purchased 250 acres (1.0 km²) of territory that was located at the southern end of the Trappe.

John Jacob Schrack was hailed as a valuable member of the community. Besides the fact that within the German Lutheran Church that he was a member of, he cultivated one of it's best positions and led the other church members well, he was in charge of the establishment that was called "the Trap." This was a local tavern found in the area that many would frequently visit. Because of research done in this field, we know now, that this bar's name was destined to be chosen as the official one for the town. In the early 1740s, specifically in the year 1742, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, a minister who belonged to the German Lutheran Church, arrived in the Trappe and from approximately 1750 to 1755, he was able to find a place of residence that was offered to him in the form of a house which John Jacob II constructed, and which as of 1776, Henry Muhlenberg acquired and stayed in. Living with him in his home was his mother, who had lost her husband some time prior, and thus as she was now a widow, John Joseph Schrack decided that the best thing for him to do for her was to remain in the family house so that he would best be able to look after her. This was one of the responsibilities he took on. The second was that as he did this, he also kept the family tavern alive and well fulltime. By the year 1738, John Joseph married a woman who hailed from New England, Silence (1712-1777) and over the years they lived and were married to each other they had 7 children, 2 boys and 5 girls. Though they have lived in their home for a very long time, just over 50 years in fact, they finally decided to give it up on February 24 1772. After they looked for a person to sell it to, and found in it with James Diemer, they bargained for it to the price of 725 pounds.

The man that the Shracks gave the 89.25 acres (361,200 m²) property to in 1772 and on February 21st was James Diemer, Esq. Before James Diemer had agreed to purchase the house, he had been betrothed to and had married Elizabeth Currie on December 5, in the year 1759, within Philadelphia's Swedes' Church (Gloria Dei). The historical records that are available show that a James Diemer who resided in Reading had a busy life in public service. Prior to the American Revolution coming about, he held the high position of being a Justice of the Peace. Another high position that he was forunate to hold was being chosen as a judge in Berks County during the duration of 1791 to 1819 until he passed away in the year 1820. As historical records from that time period have the unfortunate tendecy to be either incomplete or just obsure, the variety of historians who have studied this topic, have unfortunately have never been able to positively determine whether the James Diemer coming from Reading and the James Diemer who was known in the Trappe as being in possession of the Muhlenberg House property described were the same man or not. While we may never know what the truth is here exactly, the records show that it wouldn't be a big leap to say that they were the same man. This is because it's plausible that a man living in Reading could easily have become aware of the house, while he was making his various journey's to and from the city of Philadelphia. If the assertion made here is correct, and the James Diemer who was from the Reading area did actually take possession of this property, it is very plausible that he did so as a clever way to invest in property and then rent it out to others to make a little money. The records indicate that this scenario is more plausible as opposed to him buying the property solely for his family occupy it. The contract that James Diemer signed to own the property ended on 6th November 1775 when 89.25 acres (361,200 m²) of it was acquired by a man hailing from the city of Philadelphia, Michael Connor, bought it for a total cost of 905 pounds. When Michael Connor gained possession of the house, his job during that period was as being in the merchant industry. The available records show that he was married on 9 January 1774 to a Mary Cottringer, or whose last name might have been Gatringer. There is enough information to tell us that Connor and his wife did live in the house that would one day be that of Frederick Muhlenberg's. We know this as the minister Henry Muhlenberg kept a diary which he wrote in often. In some notations that he entered, he wrote of "the Connors as his Neighbors,".

The lease that the Connor's had on the cabin ended on 1 March 1777 when John Patton (1745-1804) purchased it from them for a cost of 1,500 pounds. After he had made this transaction, he then married Jane Davis (1752-1832) on 7 March 1777. Within the information that the deed offers us, we know that Connor held the job of being within the merchant industry. Historical records show us that he was an Irish native, who left his native country and entered into Colonial America, specifically in the city of Philadelphia in 1745. While we don't know if he stopped being a merchant, he did in March of 1776 join the ranks of the Continental Army as "a Major in the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment." We know that he did very well as on 11 January 1777 he was rewarded for his service and thus was given the rank of Colonel within the army, and was given commanded of 1 out of 16 Additional Regiments that were headed by General George Washington. However, it seems that he wasn't destined to remain a military man, as he quit the military's ranks in November of 1777. Given this information presented, it is plausible to assume that the reason why he went to the trouble of buying the house, was so that his wife would have a residency that she could stay in. This would be a good way for him to know that she would be safe and secure while he was performing his different duties during his time in the army. A preserved letter in historical records that was written by Peter Muhlenberg in 1799, we learn detailed infomration from him, including that the home that the Swaines inhabited as also being "the house below him where Col. Patton had lived. John and Jane had 11 or 12 children; the oldest, Benjamin, possibly was born while they were living in the Muhlenberg House." For reasons that aren't known, but perhaps to make some money, John Patton relinquished his ownwership of the home that he and his wife had lived in on September 1778.

Isaac Connely (1747-1823) was the last owner of the house before it would become Frederick Muhlenberg's. Isaac Connely acquired it on September 4 of 1778 for a cost 2350 pounds. This was short lived however, as he then put it up for sale again, where after 22 days it was bought by John Reed (1723-1790). The money that he brought in from this, increased his wealth by 60 pounds. According to the deed that he signed on September 26, 1778 for the 89.25-acre (361,200 m²) property,Reed was described by it "as an Innkeeper". According to historical records John Reed apparently moved there and purchased the property first, because he then in 1774 transferred his wife Dorothy and his entire family into the Trappe to live there. While he was living there, his job was as a farmer. His second job there was also as being in charge of "the Providence Township tavern and the local grist mill." According to the preserved diary of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, John Reed was mentioned a lot by him. Muhlenberg would usually refer to John Reed as being "Neighbor Ried." John Reed was apparently very nice to Muhlenberg as during 1776-1783, he gave him "a horse and wagon for haulage, and sold him firewood, beef, veal, salt, pork, rye and oats." During May of 1781, Henry Muhlenberg who knew a physician who was thinking about transferring over and living in the Trappe asked John Reed about whether he would be able to give him a place of residence within his home to reside it while he was there. John Reed was fine with do this favor and gave Muhlenberg's physician friend "2 large rooms in his big house, half of the cellar, adequate firewood, and fodder for his horse at 20 pounds sliver money a year." Due to absences in historical records, we don't know completely that the home that John Reed provided to the physician was the home that would later be Frederick Muhlenberg's, for as it would turn out, the physician decided not to take up either Reed's of Muhlenberg's offer to rent out the cabin. However, we do know that John Reed in the end decided to put it up on the market and that he was able to find a buyer for "the Frederick Muhlenberg House 5 months after that," and it is verly plausible that it was the house that would come to belong to Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg.

Frederick Augustus Conrad (Frederick) Muhlenberg (1781-1791)

This history of Frederick Muhlenberg begins with his birth in 1750 and he lived until 1801. Frederick was one son who was born out of eleven other children to Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and his wife Anna Maria Weiser. Henry Muhlenberg lived from 1711-1787 and his wife Anna Maria Weiser lived from 1727-1802. Before coming to America, Henry Muhlenberg had lived in Germany, and it wasn't until he was 32 that he left. After he arrived in America, he took charge of the Lutheran Church for over 40 years. He walso also in charge of the German American Community in America. Before coming to America, Frederick had received his schooling in Germany, though he was destined to leave Germany and "would eventually become the first and third Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the first person to sign the Bill of Rights". Later in his life, Frederick got married to Anna Catherine Schaeffer who was born and lived from 1750-1835. Their marriage took place on October 15, 1771. While they were married, they bore 7 children; Henry William; Maria; Elisabeth; Margaret; Ann Catherine; Frederick; and John Peter David. After his marriage, Frederick was returned to Germany, most likely by his father. While there he studied and was accepted into the church. When he returned to America, he was 23 and had become an ordained minister in the Church. The first job that he took was becoming an assistant to his brother-in-law, Rev. Christopher Emmanuel Schulze who resided in Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania. When 1773 came, Frederick and Catherine left at the behest of the German Lutheran Church who wanted him to come and work with them in New York City. At that time the "German Lutheran church was still called the Christ or Swamp Church." Before moving to Trappe, Frederick and his family resided in the city of Philadelphia for a short time. When Frederick and his family did move back to the Trappe, he returned to the residence of his parents on August 16th. The next job that Frederick had was by helping his father with his Church duties.

Their stay in Henry Muhlenberg's house didn't last for too much longer. Before the year was over, Frederick and Catherine left for New Hanover. While they lived there "they were living with 3 children, a maid, a nurse; brother Henry Ernst and his wife and child; and sister Mary Swaine and her husband Francis." Despite the times he lived in, Frederick didn't stay with the Church for long. He left it in 1779, when he was 29. After he had left the church, he decided to embark on a career in politics. Though his father, Henry, was mad that he abandoned the Church, as it would turn out, his father in law was the one who helped him with "the political ambitions that he had." Eventually his hopes for a poitical life paid off when in 1779 he was elected to "become a delegate to the Continental Congress to fulfill the term of Edward Biddle." He remained in this position until 1780 came around. By 1780, he was then chosen to be part of the Pennsylvania Assembly. His first moment in history came when on November 3rd, 1780 during the opening session he was elected to be the Speaker of the Assembly.

Frederick Muhlenberg did two things next in December 19 of 1781. After stepping into the public spotlight, he bought the house next to his fathers, which was made from stone, for a cost of 800 pounds. The point of buying this home was so that his family would have a place to reside. Th reason why he chose this specific house was because "it was in a region that was safe and settled, close to extended family, and where he could leave his wife and children during the long absences necessitated by his new career." Frederick Muhlenberg received this house from Christopher Wegman, who was his business partner. Apparently still not satisfied, Frederick bought on May 5 of 1783 another 5 3/4 acres from Jacob and Elisabeth Miller. This transaction was finally completed on March 18, 1785. On that date, Christopher Wegman and his wife Margaret put their half of their property onto the market, which it was bought by Frederick for the cost of 450 pounds.

Frederick's political carrer continued during the 1780s. During that time he was elected again to the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1781 and 1782. He also at that time chosen to be a Speaker again. Another high moment came in 1783 when he was chosen to be President of the Council of Censors for Philadelphia County. And during September of 1784, he was chosen to be in "the Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds for the newly formed Montgomery County." His Trappe home came two serve two purposes. It was both his home and then the site of businesses. Among them that were there were real estate sales. It seems as though even being a politician wasn't enough for Frederick. According to historical records he also started in the 1780s "a mercantile business." He formed a business, known as Muhlenberg and Wegman, which he ran with Christopher Wegman. The store was located on Second Street and between Arch and Race. At the same time while running the store with Wegman, he also ran a store that was situated on his residence at the Trappe. When in 1787 his father in law passed away, Frederick go into the business of sugar refining. He created a business with Jacob Lawersyler. However, this wasn't meant to be as the firm closed down in 1800.

History recorded that one of the most important moments in Frederick's life as a politican was in 1789. This is because in that year, he was chosen to "the House of Representatives in the First United States Congress." For Frederick, the good thing about being a Speaker was that he got paid twice the amount that the other Congressmen were paid. The only downside was that he had to "undertake a certain amount of entertaining." On September of 1789, due to the importance of being a Speaker, Frederick Muhlenberg was the first man to sign the Bill of Rights. At the star of December 6th of 1790, that he put his property from the Trappe on the market. This took place while the third session of the First Congress was at work until March of 1791 which occured three months after the Congress had transfered back to the city of Philadelphia. From the historical records that are available, he probably did this as because he would be staying in the city of Philadephia from that moment onward, he didn't actually have the use for a seat in the Trappe. This meant to him that he could finally move his family over to live with him in the city of Philadelphia permanently.

Before Frederick Muhlenberg had left permanently for Philadelphia and was still living in the Trappe he was elected as the President of the Pennsylvania Convention. During this time he was very important as "helped to ratify the new federal constitution in 1787." During this period he became a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, which at that point in history was still under the name of the University of the State of Pennsylvania. This appointment lasted from 1779 until 1786. He was Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1780 to 1783 as well as being an ex officio trustee during some other years, though historical documents aren't specific as to when. The last moment of his career at this stage was in December of 1790 when he was chosen as the president of the German Society of Pennsylvania. His term went until the year 1797.

Now residing in Philadelphia, Frederick's political life continued to go very well. During the 1790s the following happened for Frederick. He was chosen to be "in the Second United States Congress during 1791; the Third in 1793, when he was again elected Speaker of the House of Representatives; and the Fourth in 1795." During the Fourth Congress, Muhlenberg became the chairman of the Committee to the Whole and was in charge and watched over the debate "regarding an appropriation to support the provisions of the Jay Treaty with Great Britain." The Federalists supported this agreement, however the Jeffersonians were against it. As chairman, Muhlenberg was vital in giving the vote that decided for the appropriated funds. According to historical records, he apparently regretted it and went with the Jeffersonians on the issue instead. It was obvious that how he had decided to vote was so unpopular with the different constituents, that he actually drove his own brother-in-law, Bernhard Schaeffer, to stab him because he was so upset.

Frederick Muhlenberg decided that it was for the best not to run again, and so he didn't try for a position in the Fifth Congress. During the year of 1800, "Governor Thomas McKean appointed him Receiver General of the Pennsylvania Land Office." Because of this appointment Frederick and his family left their residence and went to Lancaster as that was where the seat of state government was located. It was in this spot, that as history shows, Frederick Muhlenberg passed away from a stroke on the fourth of June of 1801.

Post Frederick Muhlenberg

After living in the home that he had for so long, Frederick Muhlenberg on February 28 of 1791 put his property, including the land next to it up on the market. It was bought by his sister and brother-in-law Mary and Francis Swaine. Though historical evidence on this subject isn't complete, it is very possible that the Swains "resided in the Muhlenberg house and managing the farm and store as early as 1790." While the Swaines were living on the property, they had four children, who all passed away at an early age. The historical records do indicate that all of these children did spend some part of their lives within this home.

According to historical records "for the 1798 Direct Tax, the house was assessed at 800 dollars and the property, at 1,380 dollars. The two story 30 by 25-foot (7.6 m) stone dwelling had a total square footage of 1,500. Four outbuildings were assessed, including a stone kitchen 20 feet (6.1 m) by 15 feet (4.6 m), a stone store room, also 20 feet (6.1 m) by 15 feet (4.6 m), and a stone store, 20 feet (6.1 m) by 30 feet (9.1 m). The stone barn was 30 feet (9.1 m) by 40 feet (12 m)".

Even as late as the fourth of January of 1799, Peter Muhlenberg's brother in law, Francis penned a letter which may have been to Taverner Beale, though historical records are obscure on this area. In the letter, he described how he was still occupying Henry Muhlenberg's house in the Trappe. He also wrote that "Mr. Swaine lived in the first house below him where Col. Patten lived." He also noted that Swain managed a store and as well as being a magistrate.

The house was placed on the market on November 24, 1803. It was then bought by Charles Albrecht of the city of Philadelphia. The sale "included 3 tracts of land: the 50-acre (200,000 m²) and the 5 3/4 quarter acre tracts Swaine had purchased from Muhlenberg, and the 11 acres (45,000 m²) and 9 perches purched from Magargel (on the 1803 deed the Magargel tract was measured at 10 acres 89 perches)".

The 19th Century Muhlenberg House

The Early 19th Century

The first man to next be in possession of Frederick Muhlenberg's house at the start of the 1800s was Charles Albrecht. Charles Albrecht was born in either 1759 or 1760 and lived until 1848. The date of his birth is not clear due to uncertain historical records. We do know from historical records that according to the house deed that Albrecht held a job as a "musical instrument maker." And as things would have it, Albrecht became one of the very first people in America to manufacture pianos. Charles Albrecht was born in Germany and spent nearly 30 years living there before he decided to move to the city of Philadelphia in the year 1787. Though we don't know the exact date, we do know that he then became betrothed and then married Maria Fuchs. From what we know about the history of Maria Fuchs, we know that here name later became Mary Fox, after she had been anglicized. According to information from a 1797 deed "Maria Fuchs is identified as the widow of John Fox who was remarried to Charles Albrecht." Charles Albrecht became a true American on February 15th of 1798, when he was made a naturalized citizen. As there are some gaps in historical records regarding Charles Albrecht, we still don't know certain things. We still don't know what made him decide in 1803 to transfer his residency to the Trappe area. What we know for certain is that he took up his residency in the home that he acquired from the Swains family. Basically, he bought Frederick Muhlenberg's home. This information is authenticated as according to local historical records "he is listed in the Philadelphia directories from 1791 through 1802, and again after 1809, but is absent from the directories for 1805 through 1808, coinciding with his ownership of the property in Trappe." The records also detail him on the "annual tax rolls for Montgomery County as an instrument maker." What we can take from this is that he most likely continued in his chosen profession after he moved to the Trappe and began residing there.

The historical records on the area do tell us that the Muhlenbergs home, also functioned for them as a store, and that it might have even been redesign to be a workshop so that pianos could continue to be built there "during his tenure." Charles and his wife Mary continued to stay in the home until April 1 of 1808. On that date, they put the house of "66 acres (270,000 m²), 49 perches" up onto the market. It was bought by Abraham Gotwals, Esquire, who resided in Upper Providence Township for the cost of 1,750 dollars.

The history of Abraham Gotwals was that he was born on 1764, however, due to gaps in records, we don't know exactly when he died, but we do know that it was in the 1800s. We know that Abraham was born to John Adam Gotwals, also from Germany. He was born in 1719 and lived until 1795. When he was 20 years old in 1739, he decided to move to Pennsylvania using the "ship Samuel." Later in 1785, he was betrothed to and wed Magdalena Detweiler. Magdelena Detweiler was born in 1764 and lived until 1830. We know from historical records that Abraham and Magdelena were from Montgomery County. After they married, and for the next 20 years, they would had a total of 12 children. According to records available "the family appears in the Upper Providence roll in the 1810 census with a household of 11 people: three under ten, three between ten and fifteen, and three between sixteen and twenty five, in addition to the two parents who were then both forty six".

Abraham and Magdalena finally decided to end their residency in their home on April 29th of 1811. On that date, they put "the property of 66 acres (270,000 m²) and 49 perches" up on the market. It was bought by Sarah Bartleson who paid 5,600 dollars for it. Apparently, Abraham and his family hadn't lived in Trappe for a bit, as according to the deed, he lived in Perkiomen. While we don't have all the records, it is possible that they went over to reside their so that they could be closer to their relatives. This would make sense, as recrods show that Magdalena "had come from nearby Skippack".

The husband of Sarah Bartleson who bought the house was Dr. William Johnson. He was born in 1785 and lived until 1831. He was Henry Johnson's son. Henry Johnson lived from 1764 until 1811. The records show that on June 11 of 1811, Dr. William Johnson was betrothed to and wed Sarah Bartleson. Sarah Bartleson was born in 1790 and lived until 1838. Their wedding occured 43 days after she had already bought the property, but it was just before her father passed away on the 23rd of May. According to records, "when Sarah bought the farm, according to the deed, the 5,600 dollar fee for the 66 acres (270,000 m²), 49 perches was paid for by Israel Bartleson." From what we know, it is likely that this man was her grandfather. In 1820, the household consisted of "William and Sarah, the three children, all then under 10 years old, and one male aged between 16 and 26 years old, probably a farm hand." 10 years afterwards, according to the records, "there was one male between ten and fifteen (son William), one male between 40 and 50 (Dr. Johnson), one male between 50 and 60 (identity unknown), one female between 10 and 15 (daughter Sarah), one female between 15 and 20 (daughter Mary), two females between 40 and 50 (Sarah, and an unknown woman) and one female between 60 and 70 (identity unknown)".

A man named David Williams came to stay in some part of Frederick Muhlenberg's home and paid rent to Sarah Johnson at the time that she passed away, because according to records "he who owed Sarah Johnson rent." This information is validated by the fact that according to historical docments "that this was at the same house from David Williams' appearance in the 1840 census, who had been the next door neighbor of Dr. William Johnson in the 1840 census".

From what stories that are found in hitorical records illustrate to us "Henry A. Hunsicker remembered a one story wing attached to the east side of the house, fronting the turnpike, which was used for store purposes, and which was at one time occupied by Felty Fitzgerald, who sold watermelons and trucks." While we don't know because of gaps in the records, we think that Sarah Johnson may have decide to rent out the store to others after her husband passed away. While again we don't know because of gaps in records, it is likely that the store in Frederick Muhlenberg's house was being occupied by Dr. Johnson who used it as an office while he was practicing as a doctor in the area.

The history of a man named Valentine Fitzgerald was born in the year 1795. He was eventually given the nickname of "Felty". At an unknown point, he waswed to a woman named Magdalena. During their marraige, they had four children. They were Valentine, Sophia, David, and an unnamed child who was born on August 31st of 1827, but who unfortunately passed away only 2 weeks afterwards. Their three youngest children received their baptizims within Augustus Lutheran Church that was in the Trappe. In the year 1820, "his household consisted of himself, his wife (between 16 and 26), an unknown female over the age of 45, and two children, a boy and a girl, both under 10." In the year 1830, "the household consisted of himself, a female between 20 and 30, and two boys, one between 5 and 10, and one between 10 and 15." In the year 1860, when Valentine was 65 years old, he decided to stay and eventually to board with the family of Jacob Markley. At that point, during the day, he was employed as "a laborer".

On 1831, Dr. William Johnson passed away. On that date, his widow was given the ability "to claim about 88 dollars in household goods, with the remaining 221 dollars in possessions, which included furniture as well as surgical instruments, medical books and a "Shower Bath," being sold to satisfy creditors." According to historical records, at the time that their daughter Sarah passed away only 10 years afterwars when she was 25, she owned the following. She had a "piano, furniture, silverware, jewelry and other items valued at 595 dollars, in addition to a dower fund".

As the data from that time is incomplete, we don't know where the dower fund actually came from. However, it is possible that it might have been intended for Sarah Bartleson Johnson at the request of Israel Bartleson, who was her grandfather. Israel Bartleson had purchased "the farm in 1811." Though Sarah Johnson left the farm to her grandmother in the will she wrote on July 4, 1840, 5 months later, on December 18, 1840, she sold 36 acres (150,000 m²) and 53 perches, which included the Frederick Muhlenberg House, to her uncle Wright Bringhurst.

Wright Bringhurst divided the Frederick Muhlenberg property into two equal tracts. The tract of 16 acres (65,000 m²) and 52 perches containing the house was sold on December 27, 1841 to his uncle Enos Lewis, brother of his mother Mary Lewis Bringhurst. The other tract of 16 acres (65,000 m²) and 106 1/2 perches was sold on February 24 1845 to George Hagy.

Enos Lewis married Margaret Dewees, but they had no children. Enos Lewis purchased from the other portion of the Frederick Muhlenberg farm that Wright Bringhurst had subdivided, from George Hagy, reuniting the farm in March 1849. In 1850, Enos, 68 years old, and Margaret, 50 years old, were living in the Frederick Muhlenberg House with three other people: Ann Hess, aged 17; Susanna Clemmens, a mulatto girl aged 12; and Joshua Davis, a black laborer aged 40. On April 2, 1855, Enos and Margaret Lewis sold both tracts of land to Samuel Townsend of Philadelphia. The Lewises built a house on the corner lot east of Bringhurst's Manion, fronting the Reading Turnpike, apparently selling the farm.

1850-1900

Samuel Townsend (1817-1860), a 38 year old Philadelphia businessman, burst upon the Trappe real estate scene in the spring of 1855. He had started buying up farms a month prior: 32 acres (130,000 m²) from Enos Lewis on April 2nd; an unspecified tract from Eleanor Shupe on April 2nd; 5 tracts totaling 49 acres (200,000 m²) from John Heneks on April 3rd; 81 acres (330,000 m²) from John Todd on April 19th; 160 acres (0.65 km²) from Abraham Hunsicker on April 27th; and 57 acres (230,000 m²) from Edward Evans and D. Morgan Casselberry.

In the latter part of 1854 or 1855 Samuel put his brother Thomas on his farm near the Trappe in Montgomery County so that he could work it. There is no way to know if Thomas was living in the Frederick Muhlenberg house during his stay in Trappe, though "near the Trappe" may indicate that it was on another of the Townsend farms. Samuel and Thomas had difficulty before Thomas left the farm. Thomas had refused to leave the farm unless Samuel would secure him according to promises made to him prior to this. Thomas had nothing to live on excepting three ground rents.

After his divroce and remarriage, Townsend spent much of his time in Trappe; he occupied a property east of the Frederick Muhlenberg House purchased at auction on February 15, 1864 by James Hamer, M.D., for 10,532.80 dollars. There is a possibility that Samuel's wife Ann occupied the Frederick Muhlenberg House at times when she was in Trappe, though by March, 1860 the house had been sold to Henry Shuler.

Henry Shuler (1817-1864) purchased the property from Samuel and Christiana Townsend on March 17, 1860, and moved into the house with his family. Less than four years later, on May 3, 1864, Henry died, and his family was sent into disarray without its breadwinner. Six years later, during the 1870 census, Elizabeth Shuler, Henry's mother, was boarding with another family in Trappe, and Shuler's wife Maria was renting a house. She owned no real estate, though her personal property was valued at 5,100 dollars. The increase in the family's personal property most likely resulted from the sale of the Frederick Muhlneberg House. The house was sold by order of the Mongomery County Orphan's Court. Dr. Lewis Royer bought the property at auction on September 20, 1867.

Lewis Royer was already living on the Frederick Muhlenberg property when he purchased it at auction orderd by the Orphan's Court on September 20, 1867. He had been there for at least four months, but how much longer he may have been living there is not currently known. It was Lewis Royer who dramatically remodeled the 18th century farmhouse; he added the rear section, transformed the front and center sections into a Second Empire residence, demolished the store on the east side of the front section, possibly demolished a wing on the west side, and built the one story addition on the west side as a doctor's office on the foundations of an earlier wing. On April 10, 1884, Royer sold the house, with all the property except for four small lots totaling a little over 2 acres (8,100 m²) that had been sold previously to Aaron D. Wagner. However, in 1890, he bought back the Frederick Muhlenberg property, then made up of 30 acres 40 perhces, and owned it for the rest of his life.

Andrew Heyser Detwiler (1863-1933) purchased the property, then totaling 29 acres (120,000 m²) and 92 and 22/100 perches, from the estate of Lewis Royer on March 31, 1908. In October of 1924, he sold the farm.

On October 2, 1924, Henry W. Mathieu and Percy W. Mathieu purchased the property from A. Heyser Detwiler, and less than four weeks later on October 28, 1924, they sold the house and 10.77 acres (43,600 m²) to Ursinus College.

Ursinus College (1924-1944)

Ursinus College purchased the house and 10 acres (40,000 m²) to alleviate a campus housing shortage. This new building had been christened Highland Hall. It was situated along a little elevation along Main Street, about 8 minutes walking distance from the campus. It appears that students were housed in the building even before its purchase from A. Heyser Detwiler, as the 1924-25 college catalog described it as a dormitory for men that provided every comfort and convenience and which accommodated 28 students.

At the time of purchase, improvements were made to convert the residence to a dormitory for 26 to 28 freshmen boys, as well as quarters for a houseman and caretaker. A new 100-foot (30 m) artesian well was drilled and fitted with a pump, additional bathing and toilet facilities were installed, and clothes closets were constructed in several rooms. A new Freed Heater was also installed to supply steam heat.

By the fall of 1925, the house had become the Ursinus College Athletic Club, a dormitory and training club for the male varsity players. It was during its six years as the Athletic Club that the house had its highest profile while in the ownership of the college. It became the site of the annual football banquest in December 1929. Its use as the Athletic Club lasted until the end of the 1930-31 school year. By 1930, athletics were being consolidated on the main campus, and the Ursinus College Bulletin noted that the Athletic Club property in Trappe couldn't be run to meet expenses. In the fall of 1931, athletes were once again living on the main campus.

The Frederick Muhlenberg House was converted back into a private residence for Russell Conwell Johnson (1894-1950), Ursinus College's recently hired first athletic director, and his family: wife Mary Siez and son Donald. Russell "Jing" Johnson was an Ursinus alumnus, an honors graduate in chemistry with the class of 1916, and was also a star of the baseball team. The Johnsons appear to have lived in the Frederick Muhlenberg House for about six years (1931-1937), but Russell Johnson cointued coaching for Ursinus through 1941, when he joined the war effort as a training officer at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He died in 1950.

While being used as residence hall by Ursinus College in 1932, the college valued Highland Hall at 22,294.05 dollars. The barn had been demolished, this probably explains why the outbuildings had depreciated to a value of 13,363.63 dollars. Faced once again with the problem of more students than dormitory beds, Ursinus College pressed Highland Hall into service for student housing for the 1937-1938 school year. The next year the college announced that though 17 men still lived at Highland Hall, it was intending to sell the property because of its age, its remoteness from the campus, and the excessive cost of upkeep and operation. However, the next year, still using the building as a men's dorm, the college undertook extensive alterations to the house. The front porch and a portion of the side porch were completely removed and were replaced with a flagstone terrace, and a cornice was erected around 2 sides of the building at the 2nd floor level, which harmonized with the 3rd story mansard effect. The one story frame addation at the rear of the building was removed and appropriate architectural treatments of both the front and rear entrances were provided. The interior was completely renovated during the summer, all the old wallpaper was moved, the walls and ceilings were covered with a light enamel paint, and the woodwork and floors were repaired and repainted. Highland became one of the most attractive of the men's dorms.

In the summer of 1942, the building was converted into a women's residence hall. To make the hall more attractive to upper class women, the tution and board bill was fifty dollars less than the regular fee for women. The dormitory underwent necessary painting, papering and repair and could accommodate 17 girls. This experiment lasted only 2 years and on July 13, 1944, the college sold the property, which had been unsatisfactory as a residence hall because of its remoteness from the campus, to Andrew and Myrtle Rihl. Ursinus had previously sold 7 acres (28,000 m²) to the Collegeville-Trappe School District for erection of a new high school in 1938; the property sold to the Rihls contained 2.826 acres (11,440 m²).

Andrew Hoover Rihl, who, with his wife Myrtle, purchased the Frederick Muhlenberg House from Ursinus College, spent almost his entire working life as a salesman and inspector for the Keystone Blue Paper Co., a leader in the development of the process of blueprinting.

1950-21st Century

Henry L. Haas (1908-1994) bought the house with 1.9819 acres (8,020 m²) on July 6, 1950. Henry's first wife, Anna, died after they bought the property, and he remarried a woman named Lenore. The Haas family occupied the entire house for many years. In the 1990s, they converted the 2nd and 3rd floors to rental apartments, and lived on the 1st floor.

The Frederick Muhlenberg House in the 21st Century and the Creation of Save the Speaker's House

In 1999, a national drugstore cahin expressed interest in the Frederck Muhlenberg property; their plans were to demolish the house and build a store. The community rallied to save the home of Trappe's most illustrious citizen, forming Save the Speaker's House, Inc. The organization was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in September, 2001 and subsequently succeeded in purchasing the property on April 1, 2004. In 2005, Save the Speaker's House, Inc. obtained a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services that provided the group with funds for researching the property and operating the organization.

In late 2005, Save the Speaker's House, Inc. hired the nationally-renowned historic preservation firm Watson & Henry Associates of Bridgeton, N.J. to prepare a Historic Structure Report (HSR) on the Frederick Muhlenberg House. The purpose of the HSR was to document the house and make recommendations for its preservation and restoration. This was the first major step towards the restoration of the house and it was a very exciting achievement for the organization. The HSR included a study of the house's construction and modifications over time, as well as an assessment of the building's structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systmes. Scientific analysis of paint, wood, plaster, and mortar samples was used to help with the study. The report would provide recommendations for restoration and ongoing preservation of the house with the goal of operating it as a historic house museum interpreting Frederick Muhlenberg's political accomplishments and family life.

The Sigma Pi fraternity of Ursinus College assisted the Speaker's House with a much needed fall clean-up project, organized by the fraternity's social chair, Stever Ordog. The men removed trash and debris from the garage, did general yard clean-up, and removed modern cabinets and appliances from the house to allow architectural teams to continue their investigations. In the previous spring, about 2 dozen fraternity members spent an afternoon cleaning trash and debris out of the house. Preliminary archaeology was conducted in May of 2006 by The Millbrook Society, a Hatboro-based non-profit organization. 9 test pits were excavated. These pits were in strategically located areas likely to yield high artifact deposits. The initial survey uncovered over 1,200 artifacts and located the remains of a former cellar entrance, bake oven foundation, and a stone-lined well. Among the most significant of the artifacts found were fragments of a white salt-glzed stoneware dinner plate that was made in the UK c.1760-1780. This type of ceramic would have been a fashionable dish at the time and which would most likely have graced Frederick Muhlenberg's everyday dining table. More achaeology projects are being planned to locate the foundations of missing outbuildings, and to learn more about Frederick Muhlenberg family's household. As of 2006, the Frederick Muhlenberg property became the first in the Borough of Trappe to be registered as an official state archaeological site. Another project conducted by Kise, Straw and Kolodner of Philadelphia did an archaeological survey of the site. Remains of a general store to the east of the house was uncovered

In 2006, with the support of a grant from the Montgomery County Green Fields/Green Towns Open Space Program, the mortgage was paid off and the property was placed under a conservation easement to ensure that it be permanently preserved as open space.

Volunteers of Save the Speaker's House have researched and are continuing to research the history of the Frederick Muhlenberg property and its owners by means of newspapers, diaries, tax and estate records, maps, photographs, deeds, and family correspondence.

In the fall of 2007, tree-ring analysis, or dendrochronology began. Samples that were extracted were sent to the Tree Ring Laboratory at Columbia University, where they were carefully examined to compare them with known dated samples. The study revealed that the timbers for the main house were felled in 1763-64 and that it would have been ready for occupancy late in 1764. This came as a surprise as for many years it was believed that the house was made in 1745 by Johannes Ried (John Reed). These findings now indicate that it was instead built by John Joseph Shrack who owned the property until 1772.

The Frederick Muhlenberg House has so far had one Open House which was a success and there are now plans underway to open the house regularly for pre-restoration tours to educate the public. Many history major interns from Ursinus College have participated in assisting the Save the Speaker's House through a variety of different activities.

The mission of Save the Speaker's House, Inc. is to restore, preserve, and interpret the home of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, first and third Speaker of the U.S. House, and to promote an understanding of leadership and American history and culture through research and educational programming. The first and current director of the Speaker's House is Ms. Allison Weiss of Philadelphia, PA. The website of the Speaker's House is: http://www.speakershouse.org/.

Within 2008, Save the Speaker's House, Inc. officially changed its name to The Speaker's House, an indication that the property was no longer in danger of demolition or commercial development. A Muhlenberg descendant donated a portrait of Frederick Muhlenberg to The Speaker's House. The portrait is a 19th century copy of an original portrait painted in 1790 by Joseph Wright, now owned by the National Portrait Gallery. The portrait is presently on loan to Ursinus College and will soon by displayed in its Myrin Library. The portrait will be included in a project to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 1910 Muhlenberg Album, a book which includes photographs of family heirlooms. The Historic Structure Report (HSR) on the Frederick Muhlenberg House was completed in December 2007 and now provides a thorough documention of the house's complex history and change over time, as well as an analysis of its existing conditions. Through the assistance of former State Representative Raymond Bunt, Jr., The Speaker's House was awarded a 15,000 dollar grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to help fund restoration work on the house. The grant will be used to remove the stucco from the facade of the building, which was applied sometime after 1925, and repair and repoint the masonry. The pent roofs, constructed by Ursinus College when the house was being remodeled for a dormitory, will also be removed. When the stucco is removed, visitors will be able to see the beautiful historic masonry once more. On April 12th, the installation of a Pennsylvania Historical Marker on the grounds of the Speaker's House took place. The marker will commemorate Frederick Muhlenberg's residency at 151 W. Main Street.

Thus far, the history of Frederick Muhlenberg's house and the activities of the Speaker's House have found acclaim in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Mercury, and the Valley Item.

See also

Frederick Muhlenberg