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Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg Frederick A. Muhlenberg, second son of renowned Lutheran pastor Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania, on January 2, 1750. He was educated in Halle, Germany, for seven years, and upon his return was ordained a Lutheran minister. Muhlenberg served congregations in Pennsylvania and New York City before entering politics as a member of the Continental Congress. He became president of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention and was a four-time member of the U.S. House, serving as the first and third Speaker of the House. Muhlenberg was the first signer of the Bill of Rights. He also served as first President Judge and Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills in Montgomery County. Muhlenberg cast the tie-breaking vote in 1796 as chairman of a House committee to ratify the Jay Treaty, in an effort to improve post-war British-American tensions. The Muhlenberg vote ended his rising political career. He died in Lancaster while serving as Receiver General of the Pennsylvania Land Office. See our "Society News" page for the dedication of a Pennsylvania historical marker being installed at the site. History of the House The stone house was purchased with 50 acres by Frederick Muhlenberg on October 17, 1781 from Johannes Ried. The house was probably built during the three previous years. He and his family moved in on April 18, 1782. Muhlenberg sold the house to his sister, Mary Swaine, in 1791 when the U.S. Congress moved to New York. As with the other two Muhlenberg houses, the house underwent substantial alterations in the nineteenth century, which removed most of the original interior treatments. The exterior was also modified by the construction of mansard roofs and a frame addition to the west side. Despite these major changes, a careful reading of the house and supporting evidence can illuminate the period of Frederick and his family's residency. Archaeology Project During eight days in May, 2006, members of The Millbrook Society performed a Level I Survey of the Speaker's House property with the objectives of acquiring a Pennsylvania Archaeological Site Number; providing support data to the architect in possible dating of the house and its use; and to recording and preserving evidence of past usage and activity at the site. Twenty people participated in the project. Thirteen from the Society and seven from Save the Speaker's House. A site number was obtained and a report of the project was presented to Save the Speaker's House, Inc. That report provides notes and observations as well as definition of the structure and 3664 artifacts found during the project. |
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Weekly adult meetings are held Wednesday nights from 7:30 - 9:30 PM. Please come and join us.
For additional information, please contact: The Millbrook Society 32 North York Road P.O. Box 506, Hatboro, PA 19040 (215)957-1877 milbrook@voicenet.com
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