Peter Newhard

[spgordon]

What I know about the gunsmith Peter Newhard wouldn't fill a thimble, so I don't even know if this document records the signature of the gunsmith or another family member. This is a petition for a new bridge over the Jordan Creek, which meanders around north of Allentown and then into Allentown. It seems that the petitioners are located in Allentown itself (then known as the town of Northampton). I also neglected to record the date, since I had thought it was in the text of the petition itself, but I think it dates to 1810 or so (definitely before 1812).





These documents are in the Northampton County Papers, Collection 456: Miscellaneous Manuscripts, 1797-1851, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

[VP]

I see two other gunsmiths on the petition. Jacob Albright and William Newhard. There are probably others with slightly different spelling.

VP

[spgordon]

Are you thinking that this Jacob Albright is the son of Andreas Albrecht? I looked in to this a few years ago and found that he never did work as a gunsmith: born in 1775, he was identified as a nailsmith as early as 1788 and later served as a blue dyer in Ephrata. Though I've seen this Jacob Albright on a few lists of gunsmiths, I don't believe he ever did work as a gunsmith.

See also this: http://albrighttree.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-second-post.html

[Eric Kettenburg]

There were multiple Peter Neihart/Newhart/Newhards in Northampton Co if I recall all my notes correctly.  I know I came across tax references to one in Salisbury twp at some point, I believe, and I know Northampton town/Allentown was frequently taxed as part of Salisbury, although the lists usually delineate where the NH Town list starts even if not explicity save by alphabetical change.  Jacob NEihart was Peter's (gunsmith Peter) brother I think?  He was in Allentown at least by the War years and I believe he had a son named Peter.  Possibly this Peter on this list is Jacob's son?  Possibly another Peter Newhard as well.  I've looked often to try to find some evidence that gunsmith Peter of Whitehall spent any time in Allentown but have yet to find it.

Good to see this, though.  Lots of familiar names on that list!   

[VP]

Scott,
I don't know which of the Jacob Albright's this one identified in the petition is. The gunsmith, Jacob Albright, is from Penn's Valley in Haines Townsihip, Northampton Co, later Centre. From past research by Merle Campbell he isn't the son of Albrecht.

VP

[spgordon]

I don't know which of the Jacob Albright's this one identified in the petition is. The gunsmith, Jacob Albright, is from Penn's Valley in Haines Townsihip, Northampton Co, later Centre. From past research by Merle Campbell he isn't the son of Albrecht.

OK, yes!--I do remember that article about the difference between the two Jacob Albrights was published in the KRA Bulletin over a decade ago. I'm not sure who the Jacob Albright on this petition might be ...