From 1972 to 1975, the American Folklife Society of the Oley Valley published the American Folklife Journal, which covered the Colonial American folklife from the Oley Valley to Philadelphia and the New England Colonies. In particular, we were interested in the folklife and architecture of our Pennsylvania Dutch farmers and Quaker ancestors who dealt with William Penn’s Port of Philadelphia, where they shipped their grain and produce with iron ore and manufactured products to the old world.
Having two members on our Board Of Directors from New Jersey (Dale Truex and Thomas Cawley) and a number of Quakers who were subscribers to our American Journal, myself (as editor) and my staff spent time studying the Quaker architecture of New Jersey, which was replicated on the (Johannes) Keim mansion, near 1745 Lobachsville. We discovered the unique 1740 New Jersey brick home of elderly Walter Bowne, a member of the Quaker faith of Burlington County, who became a friend of mine and shared his Quaker philosophy and wisdom with him through his early American poetry.
Realizing that the Quakers back home in the Oley Valley would enjoy Walter’s homespun poetry, the American Folklife journal published some of his poetry in the 1973 and 1974 issues. But most recently, Claudia Teal of Bordentown, New Jersey contacted me that the Quaker community was interested in compiling Walter Bowne’s poetry in a 107-page book on his house and homespun poetry, including some of the American Folklife journal photos.
I met this polite, elderly Quaker farmer who followed his 18th Century humble culture, who had unfortunately lost his barn to a fire at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, he was able to buy and drive a vintage Model “T” Ford to attend Sunday meetings at his Quaker meeting house but had to make adjustments for a leaky radiator on occasion, or miss Sunday meetings. To avoid missing any further Sunday meetings, he eventually bought another Ford to repair his first one! But, his wood fired cast iron stove heated his 1740 Georgian home very well, with its colonial pent roofs, and there in this heated home is where I listened intently to his wisdom and poetry.
Therefore, in remembrance of Mr. Bowne’s love of America, the American Folklife Institute will partake in the distribution and be glad to offer this book to local natives in the Oley Valley at its original price. Please contact me for this 107-page book, published by the Columbus Grange #58 of Columbus, New Jersey.
Richard H. Shaner is the director of the American Folklife Institute in Kutztown.
