The North Mountain Historical Society

Meeting: February 2001

February 19, 2001

The History Buffs met at the Brass Pelican on February 19, 2001 with 56 people present. Zane Hartman returned thanks before breakfast was served. The minutes of the January meeting were read.

Following breakfast, Jim introduced Betty Victory who spoke of the settlement of the Fritz family in Sugarloaf Township. To open her remarks, Betty introduced Ethan Fritz, 6-year-old son of Steve and Kathy Fritz- The youngest of the Fritz family to live on Fritz Hill.
Philip Fritz was the first of the Fritz family to settle in the area. He came here from Philadelphia in 1790 and settled on Fritz Hill, which was named for him. As a later account describes it - on the road from Norman Fritz's to Comstock's. Betty has reason to believe that the actual site is the home that she and Bill now own.
Philip was a teacher and a Justice of the Peace. The first school was a log cabin near the present St. Gabriel's Church. He was also a private in the Revolutionary War. His wife was Charlotte Duubarge; they were married in Philadelphia in 1785 and it was through her (because women could not own property at that time) that he obtained the 400 acres that he owned on Fritz Hill. That property is still owned by Fritz descendents:
Betty and Bill Victory, her brother Jack Fritz and his wife, Barbara, and Jack's son Steve and his wife Kathy. Betty told of several Fritz reunions that were held in Hess Grove, later Grassmere Park. She mentioned familiar names of young people who gave recitations or sang songs. Helen Fritz offered some genealogy information as Betty traced the different branches of the Fritz Family. Betty introduced Winifred Neufer, an officer of the Daughters of the American Revolution, She told of her grandfather helping to hang the church bell in the tree at St. Gabriels church. Eleanor Sands spoke briefly of her family history. Her Father was Karl Fritz, who lived past the age of 100 and was well known for his knowledge of the history of this area. Mr. Wilson Ferguson gave a short resume of what he plans to cover in his talk on early Eaglesmere in April.
There is no topic lined up for March. The meeting will be held on the regular day, March 19. Jim will get the info to Monica as soon as he gets it lined up and she will post it on the board at the Pelican.