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INTERESTING NOTE FOUND REGARDING OUR PENN DEED
When doing some research in our 1902 Ziegler history of Donegal Church, a note was found which had been written on the last page of the book. Two paragraphs of it referred to our Penn deed, also called a Patent, which the church received from the sons of William Penn in 1741. The handwritten note reads: “In 1913, some repairs were made to the safe in the Lancaster Trust Company Bank, and a thin box was found that was locked and had no key to it. After being opened, it was found to contain the original Patent (deed) given by the sons of William Penn, John, Thomas and Richard, for the land of the church dated 1741.” “This Patent (deed) is to be given to the Presbyterian Historical Society (at Philadelphia) as soon as matters can be arranged.” It is interesting to note that the congregation very likely did not know what had happened to this valuable document for some time. The deed was then taken to the historical society, and most likely our framed replica was made at that time. We do not know by whom it was made, but because it looks so very authentic, there was doubt as to whether the one now hanging in our narthex might be the original. But Dr. Victor Baer, pastor at the time, verified that the original is indeed at the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia.. The note written in the history book was not signed, but that particular book was inscribed to Katie Adolph in 1916 from Theodore Petersen “in memory of Donegal.” It had come to us from Minnie Witmer who was a sister of Mrs. Adolph, both of whom were missionaries to China. Minnie would have recognized that the note was in the same handwriting as the dedication. We are grateful to Theodore that we have this piece of history. In the dedication he mentions that he had spent five pleasant summers at Donegal from 1912 to 1916. He was a native of Norway who had become valet to Senator Donald Cameron. Later he married Katharine Zook, whose family were longtime Donegal members. Katharine also has written many accounts of our church history during her time. Their children Helen, Mary, John and Jacob now live in New England where Theodore Petersen’s work as an engineer for Bethlehem Steel had taken him during WWII. The sons and daughters visit Donegal frequently and stay in close touch. Mary Karnes |
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