My Genealogy Hound

MRS. MATILDA B. ESPENSHIP is a descendant of a family long resident in Montgomery county. She was born November 29, 1839.

James K. Espenship, her husband, was born at Trappe, March 4, 1840, and was accustomed to farm pursuits in his youth. He was educated in the public schools in the neighborhood and in Freeland Seminary. He was the son of John and Sarah (Koons) Espenship. The father of John Espenship was Henry, also of that vicinity. Henry’s father came from Germany and settled in Bucks county, where his son Henry was born, and when married located in Montgomery county.

Henry Espenship was a prominent farmer of his day. He was a member of the Reformed church. His children were: Abraham; John; Henry; Mary, who died unmarried; Catharine, Mrs. Cole; and Jacob, who died at Trappe.

John Espenship (father) grew to manhood on the farm, remaining on the homestead until his marriage and then settling on a farm in Perkiomen township. He later retired to Norristown, where he died. He was a good business man and attended to conveyancing, writing wills, settling estates and transacting other business. He was a Democrat in politics but never sought or held office. His children were: James K. (husband); Maria, wife of James Schlichter; Abraham; John; and Sarah, unmarried. All were reared in the Reformed church.

James K. Espenship assisted on the homestead until 1863, when he enlisted in a nine months’ regiment, becoming a member of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served his full time with the Army of the Potomac, and returning to Harrisburg, was mustered out and honorably discharged. He returned to Montgomery county, was married in 1864, engaged in farming, which he continued near Evansburg until 1875, when he removed to Norristown and went to work at the carpenter’s trade, which he yet continues. He was formerly a Democrat, but later became a Republican, never aspiring to office. He resides on Airy street and is a member of the Reformed church.

He married Miss Matilda Boyer, born at Evansburg, the daughter of Ephraim D. and Rebecca (Kline) Boyer.

Ephraim Boyer (father) was born in Limerick township, being the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Doll) Boyer. His father was Jacob Boyer, of Chester county. The family of Boyers are of French Huguenot descent, as are also the Doll family. The ancestors of both settled in Pennsylvania in colonial days and for many generations the Boyers were blacksmiths.

Henry Boyer (grandfather) followed the family occupation of blacksmithing during his active days, and later in life went to Mont Clare, where he made his home with one of his children and died there.

Christian Doll (grandfather of Mrs. Henry Boyer) served in the Revolutionary war and was killed at the battle of Germantown. Mrs. Henry Boyer’s father was a gentleman farmer, taking much pride in keeping his farm in the best possible condition, having one of the neatest and most ornamental farms in the county. He was located near Mont Clare, where he owned his farm and cultivated it on scientific principles. He was affiliated with the Lutheran church. His children were: Mary, Margaret, and Catharine, unmarried; Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Boyer); Sarah (Mrs. E. Coates); Hannah, wife of Rev. John Davis, a Presbyterian minister; Theresa (Mrs. Samuel Custer); and Charles, engaged in the stationery and paper business in Philadelphia.

The children of Henry Boyer are: Manasses, a blacksmith; Charles; and Ephraim D., father of Mrs. Espenship.

Ephraim D. Boyer was born and reared in Montgomery county, being a descendant of two prominent early families, Boyer and Doll, both of French extraction. He was reared to farm pursuits, but kept in line with the old tradition of the family and chose the trade of blacksmithing. After his marriage he located permanently at Evansburg, where he was the village blacksmith many years. He married Miss Rebecca Kline, also of an old family in this section of Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Gabriel Kline, who married a Miss Krull. In addition to being a farmer, Gabriel Kline was a well known inn-keeper at Trappe, his hotel being the resort for many years of persons in all stations of life. It was the most popular stopping place between Philadelphia and Reading. He entertained many people of prominence in his day. His children were: Sarah (Mrs. Jacob Espenship); Sophia, died unmarried; Henry, a bachelor; Kitty (Mrs. Longstreth); and Rebecca (mother of Mrs. Espenship) .

The children of Ephraim D. and Rebecca Boyer are: Matilda (Mrs. J. K. Espenship); and Henry K., prominent in Pennsylvania politics.

Mr. and Mrs. James K. Espenship had three children: Rebecca Grace, unmarried, received a liberal education, and has occupied a position at Harrisburg for fourteen years; Henry Stanley holds a position in the United States mint at Philadelphia; and Clarence B. is also in the mint. Both sons were soldiers in the Spanish-American war. The former was a volunteer private of Company M, Second United States Cavalry and served six months, while Clarence was in Company D, Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.

Mrs. Espenship is a member of the Episcopal church.