To view Part 1, click here!
John Conard
The land of at least 120 acres owned by Joseph Conrad (1728-1786) was divided into two for his sons: Joseph, Jr. and John Conard (1782-1853). Joseph, Jr. lived on the original homestead while John built a new home and farm on his property.
Fun Fact #1: John was indentured as an apprentice to James Wood, who founded an iron manufacturing company in Conshohocken.
John was born and raised on his father's farm. From his experience working with James Wood, John began building a log smith shop in 1804 after given one half of his father's land while his brother got their father's farm. He then later built a two and a half story home on June 23, 1805 with six rooms, a garret, and a cellar. An addition was built on the home in 1847.
Based on the architecture of the home, it had a colonial style with a simple gable roof and tiny windows on top of the house, possibly showing more of a Federal-style home. According to the PA Historical Resource Survey Form, there was a spring house on the property, but it was not clear whether it still exists or it was demolished.
An Account by John Conard's son Isaac
"The life of a boy on a farm is probably about as full of enjoyment as anywhere else, for on a well regulated farm a boy is almost indispensable--a valuable attachment much more desirable than a mortgage or a sheriff's writ. I can hardly remember back of the time when there were not some chores that were the boy's special work, for which he was held responsible by the head of the household."
- Isaac Concard (1907)
Isaac Conard (1828-1911) shared his memories at his father's farm in the Ambler Gazette, including his daily routine to school. He mentioned there was a dairy house that was a deep vault. There was also a log pump made out of old fashioned oak that was used to drink from the creek. He also mentioned he went to the Sandy Hill School on Narcissa Road.
He talked details about how his family home changed since the 19th century. Around 1840, the barn was doubled in size, and the home was enlarged four years later. The Conard family held onto the home until 1857 when it was sold to Charles Gilbert. Then later the home was purchased by George Bisbing, and finally it was passed on to Christian B. Duffield (1829-1893) in 1880.
After Christian died, his son R. Edwin Duffield (1853-1924) took over the farm, and later his son Horace G. Duffield (1883-1927) took over.
To view the 2010 reunion where the Conard family visited the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society, click here!
Bibliography
"BIOGRAPHIES OF JOHN AND SARAH CONARD." Kunders and Conard Family History. Last modified June 19, 2022. http://conardfamilyhistory.com/john_sarah_conard_family_biographies.php.
"Boyhood On The Farm." Ambler Gazette. June 27, 1907. Page 2. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_4543.
Conrad, Henry C. Some Scraps of History Regarding Thones Kunders and his Children. Also, a List of the Descendants for Six Generations of his Youngest Son Henry Cunreds of Whitpain, 1683-1891. (Wilmington: Press of W. Costa, 1891): 19-22, 28-29, 32-34, 44-46.
Franklin Survey Co. Atlas: Montgomery County 1935 Vol B, Plate 7, 1935.
"Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." DaftLogic. Accessed January 24, 2023. https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm.
Morris, William E, and Smith & Wistar. Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. [Philadelphia: Smith & Wistar, 1849] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012590207/.
Scott, J. D. Montgomery County 1877, Whitpain, Rahn Sta., Grater's Ford, 1877.
Smith, J. L. Montgomery County 1893, Whitpain and Worcester Townships, Bethel Hill, Fairview, Cedar Hill, Washington Square, Broad Axe Left, 1893.
"The Conard Clan Gathers." Ambler Gazette. June 24, 1909. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_5654.
"The Conard Homestead." Ambler Gazette. July 22, 1915. Page 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_7674.
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