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2024-04-20 03:06:52
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Location DB >
United States >
Pennsylvania >
Charming Forge >
Charming Forge
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Publically Viewable |
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This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
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Type: Outdoors
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
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The Charming forge is situated on the southeastern border of Tulpehocken
Township, on the Tulpehocken Creek, several miles north of Womelsdorf. It
was erected by John George Nikoll, a hammersmith, and Michael Miller, in
1749. Then, in pursuance of an agreement entered into shortly before, they,
"at their joint expense, erected an Iron work or Forge and Dam, and dug a
Race or water course and made other great improvements for the commencing of
forging and the manufacturing of iron." After passing through several
parties Henry William Stiegel was the owner in 1763. It was then known as
the "Tulpehocken" forge. Then he sold an undivided half part of the forge
property and of 859 acres of land to Charles Stedman and Alexander Stedman,
merchants, of Philadelphia. By 1770 the quantity of land used in connection
with the forge had increased beyond 3700 acres. In this year Charles Stedman
bought his brother's interest in the forge property at sheriff's sale. In
the sheriff's deed-poll to him the forge is called for the first time, in
the title, "Charming Forge." It had been so known and commonly called for
some years previously. Its name arose from the picturesque, charming
locality. In 1773 the sheriff of the county sold Stiegel's undivided half
interest in the forge property (then comprising 1291 acres) to Paul
Zensinger, merchant, of Lancaster, for £1660. Zensinger, on the same day that he obtained the sheriff's deed-poll for the
property, (9 February, 1774,) conveyed his interest to George Ege,
iron-master, of York County, for £838 14s. 9d. Nine years afterward Ege
bought Stedman's interest in the property for £1563 13s. 6d. From this time
onward for nearly fifty years Mr. Ege was very prominently identified with
the industrial life of Berks County. From 1791 to 1818 be was an associate
judge. In 1804 be built and operated the "Schuylkill Forge," which was
situated on the Little Schuylkill (Tamaqua Creek) a short distance north of
Port Clinton. At this time he was doubtless the largest land holder in the
county. His possessions then were: Charming Forge, with 4000 acres; Reading
Furnace, with 6000 acres; Schuylkill Forge, with 6000 acres; also four large
and valuable farms, situated in Heidelberg and Tulpehocken Townships,
comprising together nearly a thousand acres, and known in the vicinity as
the "Spring," "Sheaff," "Leiss," and "Richard" farms. In 1824 be was forced
to make an assignment. His debts and expenses exceeded $300,000. But his
estate proved entirely solvent. Through the prudent management of his
estate, for a period covering fifteen years, by his acting assignee, Andrew
Taylor, all the debts were satisfied, and a balance was left for
distribution to his heirs. He died in December, 1830.
This forge property then gassed through a number of parties until 1855, when
it became vested in Andrew Taylor and his two sons, William and B. Franklin.
In 1866 Mr. Taylor died, and his interest passed to the sons named by
devise. They have since held and operated the forge. They own in connection
with the forge about 3600 acres of land. Five-sixths of this large quantity
lie in the Blue Mountain range. The land extends from "Round-Head"
eastwardly, in an unbroken tract for seven miles.
In 1777 Ege improved the property at the forge by the erection of a large,
commodious, and conveniently arranged cut-stone, two-story mansion house. It
is still standing, in fine order.
About this time he hired from the Government thirty-four
Page 70 Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Penna.
Hessian prisoners, for the purpose of butting a channel from twelve to
fifteen feet deep, and two hundred and fifty feet long, through a bed of
limestone in order to supply with water-power a "slitting mill" which he had
erected. The channel is still used. November 5, 1782, he allowed the United
States Government £1020 for their services.
In 1780 he owned ten slaves, seven males and three females: certified of
record in the prothonotary's office of the county.
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The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.
This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
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This location's validation is current. It was last validated by
Emperor Wang on 4/13/2007 2:37 AM.
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on Apr 13 07 at 2:37, Anonymous validated this location
on Apr 13 07 at 2:37, Anonymous updated gallery picture Charming Forge-14
on Apr 13 07 at 2:37, Anonymous deleted picture 118822 from gallery Charming Forge
on Apr 13 07 at 2:36, Anonymous deleted picture 118818 from gallery Charming Forge
on Mar 2 06 at 23:24, Anonymous changed the following: Web Links
on Aug 11 05 at 0:55, Anonymous made this location public
on Aug 5 05 at 3:46, Anonymous made this location available
on Aug 5 05 at 3:46, Anonymous changed the main information
on Aug 5 05 at 3:46, Anonymous changed the main information
on Aug 5 05 at 3:43, Anonymous updated basic gallery info
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