Richard Penn's Manor of Andolhea

New improved edition with annotations and pictures.

Unlock the hidden history of Richard Penn's Manor of Andolhea, an 18th-century Pennsylvania settlement where German pioneers braved the French and Indian War along the Tulpehocken Path to build a legacy of resilience that endures today.

The following key points highlight the unique historical and narrative value of George Wheeler's work:

• Pioneering Resilience: This work chronicles the extraordinary "Palatine pilgrimage" of German settlers who traveled from New York’s Schoharie Valley to the fertile lands of northern Berks County, establishing a legacy of survival and community.
• Frontier Conflict: Readers will gain deep insights into the "reign of terror" during the French and Indian War, featuring primary accounts of Indian raids, the strategic importance of the Tulpehocken Path, and the defensive role of Fort Henry.
• Proprietary Intrigue: The book unveils the complex legal and political battles of the Penn family, including the "long-drawn-out controversy" involving Abram Taylor and his alleged secret dealings with Lord Baltimore over Pennsylvania’s boundaries.
• Genealogical Treasure: Detailed tables and records identify the original 18th-century settlers by name, acreage, and purchase price, offering an invaluable resource for descendants and local historians tracing the roots of families like the Moyers, Weidmans, and Rehrers.
• Strategic Historical Context: The narrative features legendary figures such as William Penn, Conrad Weiser, and Count Zinzendorf, placing the Manor of Andolhea at the center of early American diplomacy and expansion.

In Richard Penn’s Manor of Andolhea, George Wheeler provides a meticulous exploration of a pivotal but often overlooked corner of colonial Pennsylvania. Set against the backdrop of the fertile Tulpehocken region in northern Berks County, this narrative traces the evolution of a 5,000-acre proprietary estate from its 1732 survey to its ultimate dissolution into a thriving farming community.

The story begins with the "Palatine pilgrimage," a remarkable trek of German settlers from New York’s Schoharie Valley to the banks of the Little Swatara. These pioneers sought stability in a landscape defined by complex proprietary law and shifting frontier boundaries. However, the relative peace was shattered by the French and Indian War, turning the manor and the strategic Tulpehocken Path into a "reign of terror." Wheeler details the harrowing accounts of Indian raids, the desperate flight of refugees, and the vital role of Fort Henry in defending the colonial line.

Beyond the battlefield, the book uncovers the political intrigue of the Penn family and the decade-long controversy surrounding Abram Taylor. His alleged secret dealings with Lord Baltimore over the Pennsylvania-Maryland border added a layer of high-stakes diplomacy to the local struggle for land titles.

Rich with genealogical data, including original settler lists and land valuations, Wheeler’s work is more than a local history; it is a testament to the "stability without stagnation" that defined the German-American experience. It offers a vivid portrait of a community that survived frontier violence and legal turmoil to build a legacy that endures in the quiet fields of Rehrersburg today.

Dr. George Wheeler (1866-1941), "father of the junior high school" in Philadelphia, who retired as associate superintendent of Philadelphia schools in 1930 after 36 years' service in the system, died at Germantown Hospital after an illness of three weeks. He was 75.Dr. Wheeler, who lived at 110 E. Gorgas Lane, Mount Airy, was long an advocate of co-education and of junior high schools. He established the first such school in Philadelphia, the Oliver Wendell Holmes School, 55th and Chestnut Sts., and saw 25 such intermediate schools created here as a result of the success of the idea.Born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Dr. Wheeler graduated from West Chester Normal School and began teaching in Doylestown at the age of 17. He came to Philadelphia as a grade school teacher in 1893, was appointed supervising principal of the Blaine Public School two years later, and when the system was reorganized in 1905, became one of the first district superintendents. In 1908, he was promoted to an associate superintendency, and he later served for 15 years as director of junior and senior high schools. He was also, for a short period, acting superintendent of schools.Dr. Wheeler was a trustee of Temple University, a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society and of many educators' groups. He was an active member of the Friends' Historical Association and the Pennsylvania Historical Commission. His local history research focused heavily on the colonial era, notably publishing widely cited historical studies on early Pennsylvania topics: Enoch Flower: Dr. Wheeler extensively researched Pennsylvania's very first schoolmaster. His archival efforts led to the 234 S. Front Street, Philadelphia site being recognized and marked for its historical significance to colonial education.The Last Purchase: He wrote and presented detailed historical accounts regarding the final purchases of indigenous lands by the Penn proprietors in early Pennsylvania, including those in Bucks County.Colonial Charters: Dr. Wheeler wrote heavily on the administrative history of William Penn's colonies, exploring the establishment of the first Frame of Government. Dr. George Wheeler was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery.