Sunday, January 31, 2021

Edgmont Twp. The Ann Drinker Love Story, an unknown picture AND Colonial Plantation Summer Camps !!

 

Looking for some help with this picture. The back of it just says Edgmont Twp. I have no idea where it is, looking for an address and any other information. Thanks


Note: I usually do not do "love" stories but this one is interesting. It is from the Philadelphia Record Newspaper from 1906. The story is interesting. I have never seen the Ann Drinker story cited anywhere else


QUIET OLD EDGMONT THE HOME OF NOTED ROMANCE

The Philadelphia Record recently printed the following story:
Story of Life and Death of Ann Drinker, Once Noted Society Belle

               A traveler passing through the peaceful village of Edgemont would scarcely imagine that it was the scene of one of the most dramatic romances ever known to Eastern Pennsylvania. Yet here is found the home of Annie Drinker, and those who knew the once famous society belle, who was a recluse at death – ending her life in solitude in the quiet village – still relate to the interested stranger her story of love and tragedy, intermingled with unselfish devotion.  They tell of how the society queen, upon whom life’s shadows suddenly fell, became estranged from her people and lived, and died a veritable recluse in Edgemont, among those who were neither kith nor kin.

                Here for nearly 14 years she lived a hermit-like existence, when, if she had so desired, she could have held a high position in the best society in the land.  The events of years, however, made her seek solitude, and in this secluded portion of Delaware County, where she could be near to Nature, her only daily companions her books and a pet parrot, and she passed the declining years of her life.

                Today she sleeps in the pretty Episcopal churchyard at Rockdale, five miles from here, and near her grave is that of her brother Joseph, between whom and Annie Drinker, there existed a bond of love and sympathy that stood the strain of a murder and years of the brother’s confinement in a madhouse.

CHOSE THE DARKER SIDE

                Annie Drinker died as she lived during the later years of her earthly career.  Possessed of sufficient income to enjoy all the necessities of life and many of its luxuries, she preferred a quiet, simple unobtrusive existence, and it was her expressed wish that when death closed her eyes there should be a plain funeral, and beyond the mere announcement of her death to follow the interment, that nothing be said.  These last instructions she committed to E. G. Pierce of this place, who, in addition to being her landlord, looked after her affairs.  She even told him that she did not want her people notified, but when the funeral was held there were two representatives of the family present.

                Miss Drinker was born in Philadelphia about 80 years ago and was the eldest of eight children.  Her lineage dates back to an old English family of the same name.  The first of the Drinkers to arrive in this country came here about 15 or 16 years subsequent to the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock.  This was Philip Drinker.  With his wife and several children he took up his residence in New England and immediately identified himself with the life of the Puritans in that section of the country.

                Prosperity followed his course, and he became rich and influential.  One of his sons became Governor of Cape Colony, and during the early days of the Colonial history preceding the breaking out of the Revolution, others of the name occupied conspicuous positions.

                The passing of years and the growth of the country brought about divisions in the family.  Some remained in New England, others tarried around New York, while the remainder passed over into Pennsylvania.  So far as is known the first of the Drinkers to settle in Philadelphia was John.  With his wife, Ruth Raich, he came here a few years before the founding of the city by William Penn in 1682, when the river front was occupied by a few Swedish settlers and by Indians.  It is said that he built for himself and family a rude cable near what is now the corner of Second and Walnut Streets.

HER ADVENT IN PHILADELPHIA

                It was here that the first Philadelphia Drinker was born, on Christmas Eve, 1680, or two years before Penn founded the city.  He was named Edward, after a member of the family in New England.  When not yet in his teens Edward left Philadelphia and went to New England, where he was taught a trade.  For nearly 60 years he lived in that section, and then returned to Philadelphia, where he died in 1782.  The children of Edward Drinker married into some of the best families of the period.  Among those were the benefits of distinguished French extraction.  It was a daughter of this family who was the mother of Annie Drinker.

                The child’s early career was watched carefully.  She was reared amid the most refined surroundings, and as she grew in years she received the best education that the private schools of the old city could give.  Following her education in Philadelphia, she was sent abroad where special attention was given to her musical development, and also to the study of German, French and Spanish.

                When she returned to her native city she was prepared to make her formal entrance into society.  She was the rage.  Society showered its favors on her, and she was received with open arms in the most exclusive circles.  This admiration did not turn the girl’s head.  She was thoughtful, studious and found time to devote much attention to the poor and needy and among the sick of the city.

                During all these years Annie’s father had been steadily accumulating wealth and owned considerable land I the western part of Pennsylvania, and around Susquehanna County.  Among his most intimate friends in the latter county was William H. Cooper, a banker of Montrose.  During the height of Miss Drinker’s social career her father died, and William H. Cooper became trustee of the estate and the guardian of the children.

HER ROMANCE ASTRAY

                It was somewhere about this time, according to report that Annie Drinker gave her heart to a prominent young society man, who had been one of her most earnest suitors.  It is said that this match was soon broken off because of the discovery by Annie that he was carrying on an intrigue with another woman.  This, it is also said, was succeeded by a resolve that she would forever remain unmarried.  Her social reign continued, however, but as the years passed there came a change in the harmony of her life.  William Cooper, her guardian had her committed to a sanitarium on the ground that she was insane.  What means he took to accomplish this or what evidence there was of insanity is not known.  Some hinted that it was disappointment in love, while others maintained that back of it was a plot by which Cooper hoped to gain possession of the girl’s share in the estate.

                Among those who inclined to the latter opinion was her brother Joseph.  One night he lay in wait for Cooper on one of the main streets in Montrose, and as the banker passed, Joseph fired a shot from a pistol.  The banker fell.  Almost instantly another shot was fired, and Joseph Drinker fell, a victim of his own bullet, and also swallowed poison.  The banker was hurried to a hospital, where he died two weeks later, but Drinker recovered.

                Then came Drinker’s trial on the charge of murder.  He boldly asserted his fearlessness of death, and said he had avenged his sister, and was satisfied.  The sister, meanwhile, had secured her release from the sanitarium, and came at once to her brother’s side.  She spent the greater part of her fortune to save his life.  In this she was successful, for the jury rendered a verdict of insanity.  Mr. Drinker was sent to an insane asylum and his sister retired from society.

                She first attracted attention at Edgemont when she came here to live with a family named Eberly.  Mr. Eberly, it is said, was employed in a sanitarium where Miss Drinker spent a portion of her time.  She afterward took up her residence in the house adjoining her Pierce’s home, where she lived alone with her parrot.  During the remainder of her life she kept almost absolutely to herself frequently taking long rambles about the country and on these occasions she would carry her pet parrot with which she would hold conversations.  When her brother Joseph died in the Danville Insane Asylum – about five years previous to her own death – she had the body brought here and buried in the churchyard at Rockdale, where her own body now lies.

 

Colonial Plantation Summer Camps 

2021 Summer Camps
Registration Opens February 1st

2020 presented many challenges but we were able to safely and successfully host summer camp! By following our COVID-19 procedures that included frequent handwashing, use of antibacterial gel, social distancing and mask wearing; the children and staff enjoyed another fun summer!

We look forward to employing the same safety plan and can't wait to welcome our campers back! Be sure to see our new camp theme for 2021-18th Century STEM! Registration opens on Monday, February 1st.
Don't forget, enrolling in multiple camps earns YOU a discount! You can also save $25 when you refer a new camper to any of our summer camp weeks--and the new camper gets the same discount!

Did you know members save on summer camp and enjoy the Plantation all year long! Members also receive free admission to Tyler Arboretum on normal operating days-special events excluded.  


We have many exciting events in 2021, be sure to look on our website to see what we have in store for spring!
Intensive Farm Camp
June 21-June 25, 9am - 3pm
Ages 10 - 16
$230 members / $255 non-members

An in-depth farm experience for older campers, this camp emphasizes more hands-on time with our steers, horses, and sheep, and more advanced crafts related to the animals and plants found on our farm.
Colonial Life- 2 Sessions!
Session 1-June 28-July 2, 9am - 3pm
Session 2-July 19-23, 9am -3pm
Ages 7 - 13
$230 members / $255 non-members

Our flagship summer camp experience! During this immersive one-week camp, campers will learn about life in colonial America and help on the farm just like a colonial child. Activities are designed to fit your child's age group and may include hearth cooking, candle dipping, farming and farm animals, paper making, colonial toys and games and more! For a first-time camper at the Plantation, we definitely recommend the Colonial Life week.
18th Century-STEM- New this summer!
July 12-16, 9am - 3pm
Ages 7 - 13
$230 members / $255 non-members

This camp looks at the science behind 18th century technologies. In the modern world we have a deeper understanding of what makes things work the way they do through physics, biology, and chemistry. Campers will do a variety of activities that look at how those disciplines help us understand cooking, farming, and crafts.
Intensive Native American Life Camp
July 26-30, 9am - 3pm
Ages 10-16
$240 members / $265 non-members

In this camp campers will learn skills used in the daily life of Native Americans, particularly the Lenape, who lived in our area. This will include things like using stone tools, making things from materials in the environment, and decorative crafts. Campers will also hear traditional stories, which were an important part of Lenape culture.
Intensive Craft Camp
August 9-13, 9am - 3pm
Ages 10-16
$240 members / $265 non-members

This camp is a more in depth exploration of the trades and crafts of the 18th century. Campers will have a chance to work on more advanced projects in a variety of mediums. There will be a start-to-finish approach to many of the projects allowing campers to experience many of the steps from raw materials to a finished product.

Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
P.O. Box 158
Gradyville, PA 19039
610-566-1725


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