You have to wonder how these families came up with their estate names when viewing the historical maps. Most of the homes in the Wissahickon Valley Region were named after their surrounding environment, showing appreciation to how well-preserved the natural resources were at the time. For this particular home, it was named "Brier Hill" possibly named after its surrounding environment that is known today as the Briar Hill Preserve.
George Wertsner
George Wertsner (1796-1867) came to Whitpain from Norristown in 1833 and occupied the property that contained the Wertsner grist mill owned by his father Adam Wertsner (1756-1831). In 1845, he purchased 85 acres of land, that was part of the Dawesfield property, where he built a farmhouse and barn.
"... George Wertsner, was one of the active, honest, upright citizens of his day, and while he lived was highly honored by his fellow citizens, and as a mark of their respect for his many virtues elected him a member of the State Legislature, where he served in the sessions of 1846-47."
- Bean, History of Montgomery County, Volume 1 (485)
In 1855, George and his wife sold their 28 acres of land to Coleman Fisher (1824-1876) while he had his son Benjamin P. Wertsner (1829-1916) take possession of his 85 acres of land that was later called the Pen-Y-Bryn Farm. His other son, Albert G. Wertsner (1822-1876) took over the property with the grist mill.
The Fisher Family
Coleman Fisher owned 10 acres of land at the corner of Morris Road and Lewis Lane until his death in 1876. The property was passed onto his wife, and then to his two surviving children: Samuel (1853-1932) and Elizabeth.
"Since the original purchase, there has been added thirty-eight acres of the Albert Wertsner farm, the land being rolling and consisting of field and forest. The house has also been greatly enlarged and improved. The lawn has also been greatly extended, and all the surroundings improved until Briar Hill is one of the most beautiful and desirable estates of Whitpain, a township noted for its lovely and substantial homes."
- Ellwood Roberts,
Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume 1 (264)
Samuel Wilson Fisher graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1874, and began to study law under Philadelphia lawyer Henry Wharton. After being admitted to the Philadelphia bar, Samuel became more interested in natural sciences and astronomy. Ever since, he didn't continue his career in law. He was part of the Camden Astronomical Society, the British Astronomical Association, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
Fun Fact # 1: He followed the line of UPenn graduates: his father graduated in 1845; His grandfather (Dr. Samuel Wilson) (1819); His great-grandfather (Reverend James Patriot Wilson) (1788) became a trustee of the University from 1813-1830.
In 1888, he married Clara Frances Jones and settled in Philadelphia before moving into his father's estate in Whitpain. His son Clarence W. Fisher occupied the former Wertsner mill property.
Architecture
According to the PA Historic Resource Survey Form, this is a Second Empire home that was renovated at the time Samuel Fisher occupied the old Wertsner estate, possibly around the late 1870s. During the 19th century, many homes with Second Empire-style architecture show status of wealth for wealthy families in the US. In this case, the Fisher family were wealthy and showed their status with their home in Whitpain.
Bibliography
"300 Lewis Ln, Ambler, PA 19002." Redfin. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.redfin.com/PA/Ambler/300-Lewis-Ln-19002/home/39121709.
Bean, Theodore Weber. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume 1. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884): 485-486.
"Briar Hill Preserve." Wissahickon Trails. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://wissahickontrails.org/explore-the-watershed/find-your-trail/briar-hill-preserve.
Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence. University of Pennsylvania: Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics; with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Founders, Benefactors, Officers and Alumni, Volume 2. (Boston: R. Herndon Company, 1902): 301.
"George Wertsner." Ancestry. Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/george-wertsner-24-105p39g.
"Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." DaftLogic. Accessed January 6, 2024. https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm.
Roberts, Ellwood. Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Containing Genealogical Records of Representative Families, Including Many of the Early Settlers and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens, Volume 1. (New York: T.S. Benham & Company, 1904): 264-265.
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