Theodorus Eby, in September of the year 1715, settled on the banks of Mill Creek in the Zeltenreich church community about three miles southwest of New Holland. He was a son of Bishop Jacob Eby of the Mennonite church in Zurich, Switzerland, having left his boyhood home in 1704 when he was forty-one years old, on account of religious oppression. Living in the Palatinate of Germany for eleven years and finding the persecution unbearable, he, with a number of his co-religionists came to America, the new country that was known in the war and pestilence stricken nations of Europe as a haven for all harassed denominations.
In 1717, Hans Graaf, another Swiss refugee, who had lived in Germantown and the Pequea colony for twenty-one years, came with his wife and children and explored the vale drained by Groff's Run. He built his first home, on a tract of over fourteen hundred acres of land granted to him, near the Groffdale brick meeting house. It is now the home of Noah L. Nolt, situated three miles northwest of New Holland.
It was four years later, that the Webers, who had also resided in the Pequea colony, began to explore the country east from Graaf's home. In 1723, Jacob, Henry and George Weber erected three new homes in the Weaverland Valley about three miles northeast of New Holland. They applied to the Proprietory Government for three thousand acres of land south of the Conestoga. Col. Rec. 111. 283 and "Rupp's Collection of Thirty Thousand names of Immigrants," state that on Setember 21, 1727, the ship "William and Sarah" (William Hill, Master, sailing from Rotterdam and Dover) arrived at the port of Philadelphia. The vessel carried one hundred and nine Palatines who were heads of families over sixteen years of age. The passenger list numbered about four hundred immigrants. Among these were John Diffenderfer and family; also his brother, Alexander Diffenderfer, who made his home in Olney, Berks County. (In this list John Diffenderfer's name is signed, "Johannas Tiebindorf.") Nine days later, the ship "Molly" (John Hodges, Master, sailing from Rotterdam and Deal) landed seventy Palatines at the port of Philadelphia. Among these were David Martin and Jacob Bear with their families. The former went directly to Weaverland where his countrymen, the Webers, had provided a home. The latter settled along Mill Creek, a short distance from the forest home of Theodorus Eby.
It is not known if John Diffenderfer accompanied his brother to Olney, or what caused his delay in coming to this place. However, in the year 1728, the founder of New Holland selected for his future home, the land which is now occupied by the farm buildings of Joseph W. Martin, about a mile north of East Main Street. He was assisted in the building of this pioneer dwelling by his friends, David Martin and Jacob Bear, who had established their homes the previous year.
John Diffenderfer at once applied for a grant of land nearly a mile square, which was surveyed for him in 1735, seven years after he first occupied it; but the Patent Deed for the same was not issued until March 22, 1758 (recorded in Book A, Volume 19, on page 284, in the Oirice of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, where all the original Patent records are now on file).
A small stream of fresh water, which had its origin in several strong springs on the adjoining farms (now owned by Spencer Musser and Harry L. Stauffer), flows south to north through the entire length of the Diffenderfer grant. The first home was beautifully located on a little knoll east this stream, overlooking a fertile meadow of over forty acres. John Diffenderfer and his sons made the little brook a very valuable asset to their land by means of weH planned irrigating ditches (which is now almost a lost and forgotten branch of Lancaster county farm industry). They raised annually many tons of sweet meadow hay on which their well-fed stalls of livestock thrived and fattened.
The southern boundary of the old Diffenderfer grant extends within several hundred feet of what is now the northern boundary line of New Holland Borough. A White Oak Tree stood on the southwestern corner of this tract, near the site now occupied by the election booth at the intersection of the two state highways; another White Oak tree stood in the southeastern corner, on the east side of the northward turn of the Weaverland State Highway (the State road extending northward of that width over a mile, to the public road leading from the brick residence of Harry W. Martin, eastward). These roads, and one extending north and south that divided the premises into two parts, were all established during John Diffenderfer's lifetime (as shown by his will).
The Diffenderfer land is now divided into six beautiful farms, each having a full set of farm buildings with all the modern machinery, equipment and home conveniences of Lancaster County farm life. The original farm seat remained in the Diffenderfer family until 1831, when it passes. from Samuel Diffenderfer (of the third generation in America) to David Martin, grandson of the first David Martin who assisted in the building of the Diffenderfer home one hundred and four years earlier. The estate has remained in the Martin family for nearly one hundred years, Joseph W. Martin being the present owner.
A section of the grant which remained in the possession of the Diffenderfer descendants until 1857, is now owned by Benjamin Hoover and operated by his son-in-law John Maser; another part is owned by William Z. Martin; another part by Hoover H. Martin; another by Joseph T. Shirk, and operated by his son-in-law, Moses Martin; and another part, with the new and modern buildings erected thereon, is owned by Jonas N. Martin.
Every square foot of the farm containing over three three hundred acres is under cultivation. The original roads with the exception of a short distance are where the first settlers had planned them, proving their far-sighted judgment of division and location.
The next warrants for land, in which New Holland figured and that were placed on the map of the country, were: two hundred and fifty-six acres adjoining the Diffenderfer land on the south and west, for Michael Rine, and. two hundred and sixty-eight acres, joining Rine on the south, for Casper Diller. At the same time application was made to the Proprietory Government for four acres, by the Lutheran Congregation, to be taken or surveyed out of the Michael Rine grant, along his southern boundary where his grant should join the Casper Diller land. (Michael Rine and Casper Diller were both members of that congregation.) These grants were not surveyed until 1738, and neither Rine nor Diller bought their claims. The congregation bought their claim of four acres and their Deed and Patent was made on May 18, 1744 to George Swope, Wendle Zweeker, John Borger, Nathaniel Lightner and Michael Rine, trustees for the church (as recorded in the Ofiice of Internal Affairs in Patent Book of Surveys A., Vol. 50, on page 286). This was the first land owned by deeti with'Lu the present limits of the town.
On page 58 of "Rupp's Thirty Thousand Names of grants" and from Col. Ree. 111. 331, it is learned that arrcong the ninety Palatines that arrived at Philadelphia, September 11, 1728, on the ship "James Goodville" (David Crocket, Master, sailing from Rotterdam and Deal) was the Rev. Casper Stoever, a missionary and S. S. Theological student representing the Lutheran Church. He soon found his way to eastern Lancaster County, and applied for a grant of two hundred and ninety-five acres of land, which was surveyed to him in 1735. It joined the grant surveyed for Casper Diller on the east, and the western part of the Warrant to Michael Rine on the north. A Patent Deed was issued to him on November 11, 1741, for'the said tract, (as is shown by draft and record in the, Office of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, in Book A., Vol. 9, on page 474).
In August 1733, Leonard Stone, with eighty-three Palatines and their families, arrived at Philadelphia on the ship "Hope." He at once came to this community and bought one hundred and fifty-two acres of the land originally sur- veyed for Michael Rine.
On October 5, 1737, Hans George Mentzer and Wendle Zweeker, with two hundred and thirty-one Palatines, ar- rived at the port of Philadelphia on the ship "Townshead," (Thomas Thompson, Master, sailing from Amsterdam and Cowes). They came to this place where George Mentzer bought the western end of the grant surveyed for Michael Rine, from Christopher Heickers, who had acquired the Rhine claim.
On June 5, 1743, Casper Stover and Catherine, his wife, sold their entire tract of two hundred and ninety-five acres to Wendle Zweeker, who was one of the first trustees of the Lutheran Church at this place. This land, on a re-survey, was found to contain three hundred and twenty-five acres of land.
When Michael Diffenderfer, the oldest son of John Diffenderfer, was twenty-one years of age (about the year 1743) he bought the claim of Casper Diller. This land comprised two hundred and sixty-eight acres, joining the Leonard Stone tract and the Church property (always called "Glebe Lands" in the old deeds). The tract extended from what is now Custer Avenue eastward to Kinzer Avenue, and running for more than a mile southward along Custer Avenue on the west, with its eastern boundary, where the State highway leading towards the Gap is now located.
His Deed Patent was not issued to him before May 20, 1760, (as shown in record books at Harrisburg, in Patent Book A, Vol. 19 on page 609; Draft Book A, Vol. 52, on page 268). The deed from the proprietors to Leonard Stone, was not issued to him before May 10, 1760, (as recorded in the ) Patent Office of Records at Harrisburg, in Book A, Vol. 19, on page 564). And the deed to Christopher Heickers(which afterwards became the Mentzer farms) not until 1751
New Holland, in Earl township, oldest and leading community in the Earl townships, is nearing two centuries of settlement. Its beginning was in 1728 it may be reasonably asserted, for it was then that John Diffenderfer settled "in the woods," in the vicinity of what became New Holland. In this connection, Rupp's "History of Lancaster County" (1844), contains two paragraphs which read:
The neighbors were attentive in relieving their wants, and supplying them with necessaries. Mr. Bear bestowed upon them a cow; Mr. Martin and Hans Fraaf, some flour and meat. Shortly afterwards, other German families settled here; among these were Ranck, Bachert, Beek, Mayer, Brimmer, Koch, Hinkel, Schneider, Segar, Stehly, Brubacher, Meixel, Diller, and others.
Frank R. Diffenderfer, writing in 1876, as to the arrival of John Diffenderer, his ancestor, in 1728, states: "This was the Humble beginning of New Holland, the metropolis of the Earls, but at that day known as Aaeue Schwamm. This very suggestive name was applied to a narrow strip of low land, lying immediately north of the present town, and now in the ownership of the Hoovers, Mentzers and Rolands."
The village seems to have become the most important in Earl township within a few years of the coming of John Diffenderfer. In i748 the Lutherans gathered to the number of seventy for a communion service in the church which had been organized in 1730. The village was then perhaps known as Earltown, and before coming into record as New Holland, the place was cplled New Design. Possibly it was given that appellation in about 1760, when Michael Diffenderfer, son of John, secured a patent for 268 acres of land contiguous to the settlement, for it was in that year that Michael Diffenderfer surveyed and platted twenty-five lots off this tract. The place was described as New Design in "deeds and other papers down to 1763;" and it is thought possible that the name was not changed to New Holland until about the time of the Revolution. The twenty-five lots had each a frontage of five perches and a depth of twenty-one perches, and, following the custom of the time, were sold or leased subject to a low but perpetual ground rent. The annual rent, in this case, was seven shillings. That New Holland was not platted on the site of the original settlement seems to have been the opinion of Frank R. Diffen- derfer who, in 1876, wrote:
* * * , the first settler built his cabin not on the present site of the town, but in the immediate vicinity. Who erected the first house in the town proper, and where it stood, are questions that will perhaps never be positively determined; no known written record exists bearing on these facts. It is known, however, that the first well dug in the place is the one on the turnpike, opposite the residence of William L. Barstler; it is also known that it was dug by Amich Snyder, who, in company with two neighbors, had built their log huts in that vicinity. They had no permanent water supply, however, and to remedy this deficiency, agreed to dig a well; lots were drawn to decide upon which one of them the task should fall; the fates pointed out Snyder as the one appointed to do the work, and he did it. It is reasonable to suppose the site for the well was not far removed from their dwellings, and as it is a well authenticated fact that a house formerly stood on the.spot now occupied by Mr. Barstler's dwelling-itself a very old building, we cannot go far astray in marking that as the spot whercon stood one of the first three houses, built about the same time, in the present town of New Holland. The second well in this place wag dug by a Mr. Brant, at the lower end of the town. Before these wells were dug, the few settlers living in the town were obliged to do their washing, butchering, etc., at the spring now owned by Mrs. Buch, at the eastern end of the town, and bring their daily supply of water for domestic purposes from thence.
These houses are not still standing, but there are some very old buildings in New Holland, among them the residence on Main street, opposite Brimmer avenue, in which Isaac C. Hiester, Congressman in1851, was born. Another is known as "Robert's Polly," a three-story double brick house built by Anthony E. Roberts, who was countv sheriff in 1839.
The early history of the settlement in the New Holland vicinity can, unfortunately, only be followed in church and school records. Much regarding New Holland churches is written into the religious chapters, particularly the Lutheran.
Schools-The school history of New Holland is made especially notable by the establishment of a free school in the place in 1787, but there probably were earlier schools. It seems likely that school was taught in the settlement soon after the coming of the first pastor of the Lutheran church, Rev. J. C. Stoever, in 1730; and it is believed that the log church at Zeltenreich's was used for school purposes. School history is written into the records of Trinity Lutheran Church (q. v.); and it would seem almost that Rev. Melsheimer, when he took up pastoral charge in 1786, saw that an important duty of the church lay in the establishment of a school. The church trustees met the call to the extent of giving half an acre of the church lot (four acres) for school purposes, and led by Rev. Melsheimer, the citizens subscribed generally to the building fund. Two subscription papers were circulated in 1786, one written in Ger- man and the other in English. There were about 133 original subscribers, and the number was later added to. By direct subscription of money, the amount raised was L109, 10s. 9d. In addition, building materials such as lime, logs, sand, stone, laths, boards and rafters were given, as well as personal services. The school record states that "the cellar was completed without little or no charge;" and in the work of raising the school house there was probably little charge for labor. The school house was of logs, two stories high; its dimensions were 35x40 feet; and "after the building was erected, certain carpenters gave one or more days' work gratis to make desks and benches." The school house was dedicated December 26, 1787, on the morning of which day the' whole community it would seem gathered at the Lutheran parsonage, "and from thence marched in an orderly procession to the school building," upwards of 700 persons being present.
The school thus established was to be a permanent free school for all village children, and the instruction was to be in English as well as German. It was to be under the direction of the Lutheran church, to all intents a parochial schools. Whether two schools were established, or only one in which all scholars were taught both German and English, is not clear from existing records. Rev. John W. Hassler's church review in 1880 states that "the community, by liberal private subscription, erected a large school building, designed for the accommodation of two schools, a German and an English, the latter, by the conditions of the gift, to be in some sense a parochial school." It seems, however, that there was only one schoolmaster, and that he was almost a parochial assistant of the Lutheran pastor, having to undertake, by resolution of the Church Council, certain exercises in the church on the Sabbath, when the pastor was absent. The schoolmaster was also "publicly and earnestly admonished that he must lead a consistent and godly life, at home and abroad, if he would not be removed from his,office." A few years later the schoolmaster was expected to "serve the congregation every two weeks in playing the organ and leading the singing. * * * He was to teach school nine months in the year, and on Sunday catechise the children, if twelve should attend." Hence it is clear that the free school established in New Holland in 1787-88 was of parochial character, probably a total charge on the Lutheran church, or perhaps on the Lutheran and Reformed churches jointly; but, in any event, it was a praiseworthy movement, for the free school system did not generally come into effect in Pennsylvania until another fifty years had passed by. Regarding the later history of the New Holland school house, Rev. Hassler writes:
This school building, after doing much and valuable service in the promotion of education in this place, was afterwards, upon the adoption of our present common school system, legally authorized to be sold, and was used for various purposes, until in the end t became a sort of tenement house, and only a few years ago (in about 1977) was torn down to make room for other improvements. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this property fell to this congregation (Lutheran), which had originally given the land for school purposes, and the remainder was committed to trustees, who now (1880) use the interest of it to provide the children of this place with two months extra schooling each summer.
The present public school building was.erected in the 'eighties, a clock tower surmounting it. The log school house was sold on August 1, 1857, for $1,060 half of which was returned to the Lutheran church. The other half, with funds in hand and accumulated interest, in 1876 established a fund of $2,100 for the school purpose stated. At that time (1876) the public school was of four grades, and in addition there was a "select or private" school, taught by Miss Annie C. Brubaker.
Miscellaneous-In 1876 the industries of New Holland included three cigar factories and three coachmaking establishments. There were five hotels and seven stores. A noteworthy institution then functioning was a brass band, which during the Civil War "went into service as a band and made for itself an enviable record," under Isaac Witmer, its organizer and leader. In addition there was in New Holland in 1876 "1 printing office, using a steam-power press, and publishing the 'New Holland Clarion,' a four-page weekly newspaper with a large and rapidly increasing circulation, and a widely extended influence." That paper, which is still the leader in Earl township, was founded January 18,1873, by George H. Ranck and J. W. Sandoe, passing to the former after some years. Its present owner, C. R. Martin, edited it for many years, but latterly the editorship has been handled capably by Harry E. Ressler.
The industries of New Holland in 1922 included several cigar factories, several good machine shops and modern garages; a brass, bronze and aluminum works, a concrete pipe works, a planing mill, a large silk mill and other profitable sources of employment. The silk mill during recent years has been et-nploying an average of 250 persons. There are two good banks in New Holland; the Farmers' National Bank, capital $50,000, and surplus twice as much; and the New Holland National Bank, capital $125,000, and surplus of about equal amount.
New Holland has railway and electric trolley connection, and moderately good roads. The New Holland turnpike road had its origin in the movement to build an artificial road from the Blue Ball tavern to Lancaster, which was approved by Governor Simon Snyder in1810: Diffenderfer writes:
The commissioners named in the act, having certified that thirty or more persons had subscribed for 122 shares of the stock, the Governor by letters patent, bearing date of March 3, 1813, created the subscribers into a corporation called "The President, Managers, and Co. of the New Holland Turnpike Itoad," which title was in 1856 changed to "The New Holland Turnpike Road Company." Four miles of the road having been completed in 1916, examners were appointed by the Governor, and upon making a favorable report, the company was authorized to erect gates and collect toll; a second section of five miles was completed during Gov. Hiester's administration in 1823, and accepted by him. The road was not completed until 1825. The first toll-money was received in July, 1816, and the first dividend declared in 1839. By an act passed May, 1821, the Governor was authorized to subscribe for $5,000 of the stock in behalf of the Commonwealth.
Earlier roads have been referred to in the Earl township sketch. New Holland was made a post-office before 1900, and possibly it was at that time that New Design changed to New Holland. Samuel Hall was postmaster in 1816. That the borough is growing is at once seen in the census statistics. In igoo the population was 902; in 1910 it was 1,106; but there has since been more than normal increase, the 1920 census discovering that New Holland then had 1,453 inhabitants.
One acre and thirty perches of the original "Glebe Lands" which the fathers of the Lutheran church had surveyed to them in 1737, still remains in their possession today. This land is part of the most beautiful burial park in Lancaster county. The remaining acres of the combined Lutheran and Reformed cemetery plots, are a section of the (original Leonard Stone tract.)
The Reformed burial around was opened when their first church was erected in 1799. A stone wall, covered with wide coping, was maintained between the cemeteries for a long time. This barrier was removed by mutual consent, for it was not only useless and burdensome, but unsightly and inconvenient.
The two cemetery associations have!fourteen acres of undivided land. This revered ground is dotted with many fine monuments to the memory of the departed residents of this community. They sleep in the shadow of the historic sister churches which enacted an important role in developing this ideal community.
This hillside, gently sloping to the north, was wisely chosen by the forefathers for their "God's Acre". It is the most beautiful spot in New Holland. The view of the entire Conestoga Valley from this burial place is magnilicent. Standing near the Reformed church, one can see the beauty of this fertile valley, from the forest hills north of Churchtown on the east, to beyond the place where the Conestoga and the Cocalico mingle their waters in the West, and northward to the misty distance of the Blue and Blue Ridge Mountains in Lebanon and Dauphin Counties.
During the fall and winter of 1902, and the spring and summer of 1903, additional land was converted into use for the Lutheran section. The entire cemetery was gradcd, terraced and evenly sloped to the lower part toward the north. Tombstones and monuments were set into regular lines; lots were squared; drives and walks were@ conveniently laid out at regular places, and grass seed was sown. Along the street, a neat stone wall, two hundred and fifty feet long, was built.
The work was superintended'by H. K. Storb. J. Frank Brubaker, Esq., did the levelling or engineering work, and Samuel Schnupp was the foreman of an able set of workmen. Soon after this work was completed, the Reformed side of the cemetery was beautified in the same manner. With the removal of the dividing walls, the place has the appearance of one continuous plot.
From this silent city of the dead, and from its many hundreds of epitaphs, we have many glimpses of the real history of the people of. the past. One monument tells the story of a brave soldier: "Brevet Major General John F. Boland was born in New Holland, Jan. 13 1818. He entered the service of his country as a cadet at West Point, at the age of 14, and was promoted to a commission in the 2nd Regiment U. S. Artillery, in 1836, at the age of 18. He was twice promoted, for meritorous conduct in the war with Mexico.
"He died of Yellow Fever, at Castle Pickney,Sotith Carolina, where he was placed in command, at the early age of 85, in 1852."
His exploits in the Mexican War are briefly told by the mute marble, "Monterey, Palo Alto, Resaca De La Palma."
From another monument, we learn that a brother of Dr. John Luther was:
"Capt. Roland A. Luther, of the 2nd Artillery, U. S. A., born in New Holland, Feb. 1, 1815. Graduated at West Point, in 1836, served during the Creek difficulties, the Florida Indian Wars, and in the disturbances of the Canadian Frontier. Wounded at the battle of Palo Alto, and afterwards joined Gen. Scott, in the city of Mexico, and was placed in command of the Fortress of Chapultepec."
From an extract of Mr. W. W. Davis, we learn that Captain Luther sat on the front porch of the Luther home many summer days (now the pavement in front of Wright's), unable to join his comrades, while he was recovering from his wounds and sickness contracted in the southern swamps. He died on July 9, 1853.
Henry Carpenter, a son of Anthony Carpenter, the clockmaker, was another Mexican soldier. He grew to manhood here, and went to the front, where he lost his life far from home.
On the marble shaft that contains the history of Capt. Luther, are recorded the names of his father, and two brothers, all eminent physicians and of great worth to the community.
"Dr. John Luther, 1781-1828.
"Dr. John W. Luther, 1810-1870.
"Dr. Martin Luther, 1826-
Another humble sandstone records Leonard Diller as having died in 1798, at the age of forty years. The records show that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war when he was quite young. Another marble shaft recites the exploits of David Diffenderfer, "A soldier in the war of Independence, born Feb. 1752, died May 1846." The extent of his services are briefly told in these words, "Trenton," Valley Forge" "Princeton," wounded at "Monmouth.
Jacob Diffenderfer, another Revolutionary soldier, who died at the age of ninety-six years, lies buried in the Reformed cemetery. His grave is not marked.
On the same shaft which reveals the history of David Diffenderfer, is the name of "Frank R. Diffenderfer," the well-remembered historian. Wbile standing on this sacred spot, a few lines which he wrote nearly twenty years ago, comes to me: "New Holland, the old place knows me only as a stranger, I go there every few weeks to see my sister, but besides her there are only half a dozen persons who know me. Yet that is today the dearest spot in all the world to me. Sometimes I walk over the old fields, but the fences are changed, and I can hardly tell where I am. I always come away sadder than before, because I can no longer see the landscape, fairest in all the universe."
We learn the following from the marble slab covering the remains of Rev. John F. Engle, who lived in the parsonage in the rear of the Eagle hotel, with his yopng wife and family. He was pastor of New Holland, Bergstrasse, Reamstown, Muddy Creek and Alleghany charges, and died in the service of his people at the age of 33 years in 1823.
We glean the sure foundations of many a family history from a number of humble stones. In a few simple words they state the places of birth of nearly a score of first settlers, most of whom came from Germany and Switzerland, and a few from Great Britain and France.
The names already mentioned and those on the head stones of Frederick Seegar, and his partner, Jonathan Roland, the single stone with the Davis family history, Dr. John Sturgis, Christian Schneider, James Martin, John Adam Diller, Michael Kinzer, Isaac Ellmaker, with a host of others, remind us very forcibly that many pages of in structive and important history could be unraveled from their mute evidence.
Capt. Isaac R. Diller, quartermaster of the 1st Penna. regiment in the Scott Campaign, was another Mexican soldier who hailed from New Holland, but after the war made his home in Chicago. He was consul to Florence, Italy, CIeveland's administration. Mr. W. W. Davis, who was a nephew of Capt. Diller, carried a cane made from a part of the old flag pole, cut from he Mexican castle of San Juan de Ulloa, in March 1847.