Bucherton, Plans For a Town
As year after year, emigrants from the Rhineland came to Pennsylvania, Hans Bucher saw other settlers coming into the valley of his choice and Cocalico Township becoming the home of many, he conceived the idea of laying out a town. He swore out a warrant for about sixty acres of land on June 12, 1741. At this time, Lancaster County was only thirteen years old and Lancaster City was the only town. Reading was not yet laid out. (In 1783 Reading became a Borough).
However, the King’s Surveyor did not visit Bucher Thal until March 29, 1766. By that time both Zohar and Adamsburgh were already laid out. The tract was surveyed and called “Bougherton” (Bucherton).
The arca he selected is a short distance north of Denver, partly lying in Greenville and stretch- ing in the direction of Swamp Bridge.
Further Land Divisions
John Bucher had no children of his own, so he went to Philadelphia and selected at the Port of Philadelphia a boy and a girl who had come to America penniless, in search of employment and homes. This was a common practice at this period. Ship Captains “sold” the immigrants for a term of years to pay for their passage to America. These “redemptioners” terms of service were at first seven years and later reduced to four. When the ship reached port, the captain placed an ad in the paper offering the redemptioners for sale. Mose of the men ranging from sixteen to forty years brought ten to twenty-four pounds. Women brought two-thirds the price. Indentured servants were provided with food, clothes, and lodging and “freedom dues” at the end of their indenture. Following the year 1750, a suit of clothes and a horse was given the men and a new dress and a cow was given to the women.
Both of these children grew up to be respectable and reputed citizens. The young lady married a Hibshman and went with the Bucher family to Cornwall, possibly with the second Benedict.
The boy was joseph Leisey. He was born in the Fatherland in 1754 and married Sophie Snyder. They were the parents of seven sons and one George, Catherine (Ketty), Joseph, Henry, Jacob, Peter and Adam.
“When Joseph had grown to manhood he was sent away to learn the weaver’s trade; especially to master the difficult art of weaving figures, then a new art in these parts. This he did and did it well, greatly to the pleasure of John Bucher. When he had served his term of apprenticeship he was given a part of John Bucher’s house and a loom with which to follow his trade. Here he labored until 1799 when he purchased a lot from Christian Wenger and built a dwelling house and shop. (Ref. Dr. Johns). This is the property now owned and occupied by Mrs. Leroy G. Weinhold on the south side of West Main Street (No. 542). Until about 1907 this house was on the opposite side of the alley and the barn was in the center of West Main Street, then unopened as a public street. (See map of Denver, 1887, Part Il).
“At this place he operated his loom for twenty-five years, at the same time teaching his seven sons the trade. Here he was followed by his son, Adam, who occupied the same shop for over fifty years.
Joseph Leisey’s seven sons grew to manhood and became the heads of families. To devote themselves to their trade, the one of the most important callings, they located at various places near home. One, however, went West.” (Ref. Dr. Johns).
Joseph Leisey in his will, dated December 10, 1825, left all his possessions to his wife, Sophia. Executors were Peter Leisey and Jacob Bucher, friend and neighbor.
Lotteries were a common feature of life in America at this time. They helped to build schools and churches. In 1761 there was a lottery for the payment of the “Tulpehocken Rangers” for their services in the French and Indian War, another to build canals. Sweepstakes, they tempted with prizes as large as $100,000.00. The Pennsylvania State Legislature finally abolished them in 1833.
Ketty (Catherine) Leisey never married. When she was a young girl these lottery schemes were the vogue. She and Christian Ruth were joint owners of a ticket which drew a thousand dollar prize. This enabled her to become part owner of the homestead after her father’s death, and here she lived until her decease.
History of Denver 1735-1975
