Ephrata Cloister

Scans made from film negatives of Ephrata ("effretta") Cloister in Pennsylvania. The original negatives date to the summer of 1992. The Sisters House centered here dates back to 1743. 

Meeting House (or Meetinghouse, if you prefer) dating to 1741. The tiny windows, steep roof and length all stand out -- quite medieval in appearance. (Through a "Zeke" filter). 

Stairway to Heaven, Ephrata-style.

The remarkable utopian religious community of Ephrata was created by Germans who arrived via Philadelphia. The Sisters and Brothers lived relatively ascetic lives; the Householders surrounding the core area, on the other hand, could marry and have children, ensuring communal survival. The last cloister member died in 2008. It's an amazing place, very peaceful and serene.  

Circular Letter from the Great Depression: Llewellyn Shaffer, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Circular Letter from the Great Depression: Llewellyn Shaffer, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. 9th Street and Lackawanna Trail. Dated May 16, 1935. The 9th Street Station. 

"Our station is conveniently located and modern in every respect, equipped to do car greasing, oil changing, tire repairing and tak[ing] care of motorist needs generally." 

Llewellyn Shaffer (June 1, 1902-August 14, 1977) was one of my maternal great/grand uncles.

 Inside foldout, left side.

 Inside foldout, right side.

Back cover. 

Donald Delbert France: Business Cards, 1950s-1960s

D. France
ASS'T DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT

National Metal Trades Association

Jenkintown, Penna.  19046

DONALD D. FRANCE
TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE

HEICO, INC.

QUALITY THROUGH RESEARCH

STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Delaware Water Gap

What we have here is a scanned copy of both sides of a postcard depicting the Delaware Water Gap, USA, old enough to feature a biplane. 

On the reverse: Three Miles from Stroudsburg. Leaving the city of Stroudsburg behind, one descends into the valley of the famous gap. Here one sees before his eyes, the great mountain chain, which seems to have been cut through by some giant machine.

On the Jersey side rises Mount Tammany, a frowning fortress of granite, over 1,600 feet high.

Mount Minci, which is equal in height but having sides less perpendicular, stands opposite on the Pennsylvania side. At the base of these two huge mountains, flows the placid Delaware River.

PLACE STAMP HERE
DOMESTIC ONE CENT
FOREIGN TWO CENTS

J. Ruben Publisher, Newburgh, New York. 

Old Shawnee Church and Site of Depui's Fort

Source: H.M.M. Richards, "The Indian Forts of the Blue Mountains," Report of the Commission to Locate the Site of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania, Volume One (Clarence M. Busch, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1896).

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Site of Fort Hamilton

Source: H.M.M. Richards, "The Indian Forts of the Blue Mountains," Report of the Commission to Locate the Site of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania, Volume One (Clarence M. Busch, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1896). I scanned these on a Canon CanoScan LiDE 200. 

The Mystery of Joseph France

Seeking new leads. The trail going back ends with the marriage of Joseph France and Fanny Weidner (Widener) of New Berlin, Ohio on May 3, 1838, conducted by J. J. Fast (John Jacob Fast). According to later census records, both were born in Pennsylvania. However, their parents and places of origin remain a mystery at this point. France can also be Frantz, and recent paternal DNA testing connects a France with a Francis family, as well.

Joseph France (circa 1808-1880):
Circa 1808: Born in Pennsylvania.
1810: Unknown whereabouts.
1820: Unknown whereabouts.
1830: Unknown whereabouts.
May 3, 1838: Marries Fanny (probably Frances) Weidner in Ohio.
1840: Lives in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
1850: Lives in Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
1860: Lives in Perry Township, Clay County, Indiana.
1867: Marries Eliza Jane Hall (previously married, with kids).
1870: Lives in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. Occupation: coal miner.
1880: Lives in Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana. Occupation: day laborer.
Circa 1880: Dies in or near Lyford, Parke County, Indiana (near Wabash River and Illinois line).

Kids with Fanny Weidner France (circa 1816-1857):
Samuel France (1839-1900).
Jeremiah C. France (1840-1865).
Sarah Ann France (1844-1876).
Elizabeth France (1844-unknown).
Joseph France, Jr. (1845-1909).
Franey France (1848-unknown).
Franner France (1850-unknown).
Christian France (1852-1919). 
Susanna France (1854-1925). 

If you know of any additional details, please leave a comment or email me at efrance23@gmail.com

Thanks!