Francis Buchwalther [Frantz Bouch Walder] and his wife Mary Mellinger

Francis (Frantz) (Bouch Walder) Buchwalter
1665–1723
BIRTH 1665 • Canton, Zurich, Switzerland
DEATH 20 JUL 1723 • Phoenixville, Chester, Pennsylvania

Francis Bouch Walder came in September of 1720 to Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he purchased 620 acres in the Manavon Tract from David Lloyd, along the French Creek and Schuylkill River, near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. His sons Joseph, Johannes, Jacob, and Durst {Theodorus} and daughter Mary came with him.

According to Futhey and Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Vol 2, p 484 in Heritage Books reprint in 1995 of 1881 original, the Buckwalters in the Phoenixville area in the 1880’s were all descended from the German immigrant Francis Buckwalter, a Protestant refugee. In 1713, the Manovon tract where Phoenixville is now located was patented to David Lloyd. Francis Buckwalter was the first settler, purchasing 650 acres in 1720 for 195 pounds.

History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Futhey and Cope, 1881.

“In 1713, the Manovon tract, at what is now Phonizville, was patented to D. Lloyd. The earliest settler upon it was Francis Buckwalter, to whom Lloyd sold 650 acres in 1720 for [pounds] 195. Buckwalter, a Protestant refugee from Germany, was subjected when in the fatherland to many persecutions because of his faith. It was a matter of family history that he was compelled to read his bible in stealth, concealed in a cow trough. He finally concluded to flee and after leaving his home was pursued for three days by his vindictive Catholic brothers who were determined to cause his destruction. His children were Joseph, Jacob, Johannes, Mary, and Yost, and from him are descended all of the Buckwalters in this country. Of these, Johannes’ son John, b. Sept 15, 1777, married in 1800 Mary Bachtel, b. Jan 2, 1775, and their children were Samuel, John, Henry, James, and Elizabeth, who married James Wynn. Of these children, the eldest was born May 5, 1801, in East Nantmeal Township, and in 1817018 went to Charlestown Township to live with his grandfather, Johannes [John], on the farm on which John Henry Buckwalter now resides. In 1832, he was married by Rev. O. Wample to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Margaret High, of Schuylkill township, by whom he had seven children–Charles C; John Henry; Samuel R; Elizabeth, married to E. Davis; and Helen Caroline, all living; and two deceased, David and Margaret died young. Samuel Buckwalther died Feb 26 1869, and his wife Mary died, 4 1850. He was a second time married, in 1855, to Anny Pennypaker, widow of James Pennypaker. He was one of the most systematic farmers in the county and was, with his family, a member of the Mennonite church.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67089976/francis-buchwalterFrancis, a Mennonite farmer, married Mary Durst Mellinger in 1692 and they immigrated with their family to America in 1717.

Thanks to Lori Gilbert for the following:
He could have been buried on his farm, long since overgrown and gone. He owned the land only 3 years prior to his death and at the time of purchase was ‘the only white settler’ in the area. This indicates that the only ‘cemetery’ could have been an old Indian burial ground.
The cemetery in what is now Phoenixville [possibly the very same ‘old Indian burial ground’] has since been built upon. Records indicate the bodies were moved prior to construction, but Francis is not on the lists. Not that the list would be 100% accurate; perhaps they did not remove all the bodies? No way to know. The Mennonites were so poorly treated in Germany, that the elders did not keep records after coming to America out of habit; thus the severe lack of anything on Francis. His sons began appearing in records mostly after Francis’ death.
The county courthouse was not built for some time after Francis died, so no records there. Perhaps a newspaper, family record, letter, bible will turn up someday with information. Right now, there is just quite a bit of repeated misinformation and ‘assumptions’.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67090041/mary-durst-buchwalter
Mary Durst Mellinger Buchwalter
BIRTH 1668 Solothurn, Switzerland
DEATH 20 Jul 1723 (aged 54–55)Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
BURIAL Non-Cemetery Burial, Specifically: Old Indian Burial Ground, Phoenixville, Chester Co., PA Mary Mellinger, a Mennonite daughter of Durst Mellinger, married the farmer Francis Bouch Buchwalter in 1692 in Switzerland. They immigrated to America with their family in 1717.
Francis and Mary are thought to have been buried in an old Indiana cemetery that is now under what is downtown of Phoenixville, PA.

A Tribute to Greg Underwood of Vallonia, Indiana

If you attended Salem High School in the late 70’s and early 80’s, you knew Greg Underwood. Maybe not personally, but he was hard to miss: tall, dark-haired, good-looking kid who moved with athletic grace and had a million dollar smile. When he stepped onto the basketball court, there was magic. Greg, a point guard, was a marvelous basketball player with a powerful shot, graceful athletic moves, and strong leadership skills. In my mind’s eye, I can see him charging down the floor as he brought up the ball, forceful and determined, a scoring plan swirling in his brain. It was a joy to watch him play.

I met Greg when he was a student in my Senior English class. English was not his favorite subject, but he was polite and cooperative. He quickly learned that I knew nothing about basketball plays or tactics. Greg liked to kid people and he was totally amused that he knew something that I didn’t. We joked about that a lot, all year. Mrs Arnold, his freshman English teacher, and I often traveled to his away games together. I am happy to remember that Greg knew his English teachers admired and supported his success.

My step-son, Steve Bedwell, another SHS basketball record holder, became friends with Greg in the 1978-1979 season. “I was on the floor,” Steve said, proudly, “when Greg made his first appearance as a varsity player.” Steve was a senior and Greg was a freshman. Many times, Greg was a welcome guest in the Bedwell home and many times Steve drove out to northern Washington County, the Mill Port Knobs, to take Greg to and from practice and games. In my Apple home, Greg was a HERO. My middle school son, Jimmy Apple, loved basketball and Greg was all that Jimmy wanted to be as a player. We attended all of Greg’s games and Jim worked on modeling Greg’s moves and shots. We were there on that glorious night when Greg scored 1000 points and the game was stopped for a picture. We glowed with pride when Greg completed the season in 1982 and set the Salem High School scoring record.

Greg set many SHS records and still holds several SHS records. He scored 1110 points and is now the second leading scorer in Boys Basketball at SHS. He holds the season and career records for assists: 143 and 477. He shares the game record for steals: 8 and holds the career record: 197. He shares the game record for free throws: 15. He holds the record for game free throw percent: 15-15. Those records were set from 1978-1982—almost 40 years ago, a strong indicator of his powerful basketball skills. If you talk to Coach Jerry Warriner, you would learn about even more scoring records that are not up on the SHS record board in Brooks Memorial Gymnasium.

Sometime after he graduated, Greg married his sweetheart Gina Bowman and they had a son named Josh. Josh and his wife Mallery now have two young children. Greg and Gina’s family was part of a large and loving extended family. Later Greg began preaching at a small church in northern Washington County. He was so successful that the church grew and grew, attracting hundreds of members. Eventually, they built the spacious and beautiful Faith Southern Baptist Church on North Highway 135.

Greg worked at a number of enterprises, one of which was well-known in Salem. He and some friends purchased the pizza recipe from a couple in Brownstown. Using that recipe, they opened Main Street Pizza in Salem. Eventually that business was sold to another SHS basketball player, Tommy Weeks.

Greg was taken from us far too soon. He leaves an example of a life well-lived in service to God, to his family, and to his community. He was a man who inspired the young. So many boys and girls watched his games and dreamed of playing like Greg. He set an example for young and old alike with a happy marriage and a strong family life. Greg built a large church family, bringing love, salvation, and Christian fellowship to many. As an athlete, Greg’s success inspired our community and later as a man of God he enriched his community with love and care. His passing leaves an aching void. So many of us, friends and family, will miss him always. We both mourn his passing and celebrate his life and work.

** In 1987, Jimmy Apple, broke his hero’s scoring record.

Joy: 1 January 2018

Today I begin my study of Joy as it unfolds in my life. My plan is to read The Book of Joy, by HH, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams, and examine the ideas and principles. After reading the introduction, by the talented writer Douglas Abrams, I read through Chapter 1. One of the ideas that struck me was this: how central relationship and friendship are to our experience of joy. As I was pondering that idea, the phone rang and grandson Rod announced that his father was bringing over two of our Greats, Evan 7 and Madelyn 8, for an impromptu visit. They are here from Las Vegas, visiting their father and numerous relatives. Suddenly, they were at the door with hugs and kisses. Quickly, the living room was strewn with toys, questions bounced off the walls, and all was happiness. We were allotted two hours before their grandfather came back and carried them off to supper. Soon after they came, their grandmother arrived. We all had a jolly time together, and when the children were tired of tinker toys, coloring, and building with blocks—well, my two ipads were just the thing. A long quiet day was what we expected—but excitement, happiness, and joy just fell into our laps. What a joyful surprise!! We were so exhausted when they left that we ordered a pizza—and took a long rest in our recliners.

The Book of Joy

http://time.com/4504000/book-of-joy/

The Book of Joy

 

 

My word for 2018

A friend invited me to join #OneWord365 and I accepted. Other friends have been selecting their words for several years and I have been interested in the idea. As I pondered a selection, the word “Joy” popped into my mind. I resisted at first and then I thought: what do I wish for myself, my friends, my family, and all humans?? Joy! Then I remembered HH, the Dalai Lama and his new book with his dear, beloved friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu: The Book of Joy. So—-that’s my word. My other project is a gratitude journal, which I try to write in each evening. I’ll be working on joy–and gratitude– and writing about it here. I think I will start early, as 2017 ends and then as the new year emerges.