On Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m., Historian Thomas Walsh will present the program “Iron Country and the Lincolns in Chester and Berks Counties.” Hosted by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, a lively narrative will contribute to an interesting and informative program that includes a question and answer period. Staged in the park’s Conference Center, the program is free and open to the public.
A long-time resident of Chester County, Thomas Walsh taught history and geography in the Owen J. Roberts school system. His 25 year teaching career is underscored by a continuing interest in the iron country of Berks and Chester Counties. His research into the Lincoln family was inspired by two students who were descendants of Mordecai Lincoln whose house in Exeter Township is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Hopewell Furnace company ledgers record that two workers by the last name of Lincoln worked at the Furnace: Samuel (1827) and George (1842-1843). The earliest Pennsylvania settlement of the Lincoln family was in 1720 when Mordecai Jr., an ancestor of President Abraham Lincoln, settled near the present day Coventryville in Chester County. He became a partner in the Coventry Forge with Samuel Nutt, Sr. and William Bransom. He moved to Amity Township sometime after 1727.
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite the public to explore free of charge the Hopewell Ledger data base listing many people who worked at Hopewell Furnace (1784-1851) including the Lincolns. The data base also incorporates the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps members. As an added bonus, descendants of workers may download a certificate with their ancestor’s name on it.
Established in 1994, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is the official non-profit fundraising arm of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. A 501(c)3 citizen organization, its mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and programs of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Donations to the Friends may be tax deductible according to the rules set by the Internal Revenue Service.
While at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site visitors are encouraged to go into the village, tour the buildings and learn about the iron making industry and why Hopewell Furnace is important to our nation’s history. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. It is closed on other federal holidays. The park is located five miles south of Birdsboro, off of Route 345. For more information stop by the park’s visitor center, call 610-582-8773 or visit the Friends’ web site at www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org.
