[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 168 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING 185TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP, 
                             CHESTER COUNTY

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                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Schuylkill 
Township, Chester County on the occasion of the 185th anniversary of 
its founding.
  The first settlers to move into Schuylkill Township were Dutch, 
Swedish, and Welsh; many of whom were Quakers. They arrived in 1713 
with James Anderson being the first European settler with his family to 
arrive. He had immigrated from the Isle of Skye in Scotland in 1707. 
His home and farmstead, ``Anderson Place,'' still stands. Son Patrick 
was the first child born in the township. He was to serve as a captain 
in the Revolutionary War and later was promoted to Major. The Anderson 
family is buried in Anderson Cemetery on Valley Park Road. The last 
Anderson to reside at the farmstead was in 1955. William Moore arrived 
and built Moore Hall, which is a National Register home, as well as the 
Bull Tavern visited by General Washington.
  The Friends Quaker Meeting is historic and was active in the 
abolitionist movement with the Underground Railroad. Corner Stores at 
the intersection of White Horse and Valley Forge Roads was the first 
and major commercial center in this area and continues today. Valley 
Forge Road was the major route between the western forges and the City 
of Philadelphia and continues as the Valley Forge Historic Corridor 
through Schuylkill Township.
  Once a farm community, Schuylkill Township today seeks to preserve 
its agricultural landscape. The Open Space Commission is working to 
preserve open space with the Pickering Preserve and the purchase of 
Valley Park where meadow lands are being preserved. Preservation 
efforts are also underway for the Ticket Pavilion of the old Valley 
Park Trolley Park, which once operated to the delight of its residents.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of the 185th anniversary of the founding of 
Schuylkill Township, I ask that my colleagues join me today in 
celebrating this momentous occasion and recognizing the Township's rich 
history and economic and social contributions to the quality of life 
enjoyed by its outstanding citizens and all of Chester County.

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