Have you ever visited a church where your ancestors got married? Many people have. You may even attend the same church? But, how about one where they married more than 200 years earlier?
The Wedding
The WeddingOn September 14, 1784, Stephen Stackhouse and Amy Vandyke (Rod’s 6th great grandparents) said their wedding vows at the Presbyterian Church in Newtown, Pennsylvania. We had the opportunity to visit this church in 2014 although we were not able to go inside.
Founded in 1734, the church, session house, and graveyard sit above Sycamore St. in a beautiful setting. The first Presbyterian Church built in Newtown had been replaced in 1769 with the current church. It had been remodeled two years before their marriage, which was likely required due to the building being used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Since, it was one of the largest buildings in the small town, Washington used it as a hospital, jail and housing for P.O.W.s from the Battle of Trenton. It is said that several hundred P.O.W.s were kept in the church, but it seems that was likely an exaggeration. Although large for its day, the church was limited in size. See the end of this article for links to additional information about the church.
Who Were They?
Stephen’s Background
Having been born August 12, 1761 in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Stephen was 23 when he married. He is believed to have been the son of John Stackhouse and Elizabeth Hendricks Buckingham.
Stephen descended from John Stackhouse, who had come with his uncle and brother to Pennsylvania from England in 1682. They had located in Falls Township in Bucks County near the Neshaminy Creek. Read more about their early days in America.
Amy’s Background
Less information is known about Amy’s background. She may have been born in Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There is some belief that she was a couple of years younger than Stephen. However, the 1800 census would imply that Amy was older than Stephen, assuming the woman in the household is Amy.
I also know of possible birth parents. However, I have not been able to confirm any specific details about Amy’s parents or her birth.
Their Life Together
Stephen and Amy set up housekeeping in Bucks County. However, it appears that Stephen owned no real estate at the time. However, by 1801, he had acquired 12 acres. By the end of the decade his acreage had grown to 22. In the next decade it nearly doubled. The property size is interesting as Stephen primarily worked as a weaver and not as a farmer.
Over the years, Amy gave birth to at least nine children. All but one child, a daughter, lived to adulthood. And, at least two of their sons followed in Stephen’s footsteps.
On September 20, 1804, only a few days after Stephen and Amy’s 20th wedding anniversary, Amy died. She left Stephen with eight children, four under the age of ten. Her youngest, Elizabeth, was only 2 1/2 years old. Read more about Elizabeth.
Life Without Amy
In 1810, Stephen is found with a man and a woman, both close in age to Stephen, living in the household. This could be siblings of Stephen or Amy, a sibling and their spouse, or hired hands. By 1820, a man close to Stephen’s age is no longer in the household. A woman still resides at the home. As far as it is known, he never remarried. Thus, she is likely a sister or servant.
Stephen died May 1, 1834. He is buried in Bristol Township in Bucks County at the Bristol Friends Cemetery. This is a bit confusing. Although he came from Quaker heritage, Stephen married Amy in the Presbyterian Church. It was not uncommon for early Quakers to join with the Presbyterians. However, it is a bit surprising that he is buried with the Friends. Amy’s burial location is unknown.
Old Newtown Presbyterian Church Today
The church changed in small ways over the years. The session house that sits apart from the church on the same grounds was built in 1798 as a place to conduct church business. Then in 1842, it was repaired. Over 200 years after Stephen and Amy married at the church, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (1987).
Today, this church is known as the Old Newtown Presbyterian Church. Worship services are still held in the church, but only in the summer.
Read more about Old Newtown Presbyterian Church:
Newtown Presbyterian Church: Our Historic Church
Graveyards of the Revolution (Previous blog Post)
All photos were taken when we visited Newtown in 2014.
Prompt: Wedding Bells
#52ancestors52weeks