Samuel Benton LINTON (1838-1927)

Samuel Benton LINTON (1838-1927) & Mary Salome LATCH (1842–1940) 

Project Director 

James “Jim” Robert Broomall

page established October 6, 2023 

Samuel Benton LINTON (1838-1927)

Autobiography introduction

James “Jim” Robert Broomall

Great-Grandson

His autobiography shown below has much detail, so this will be a brief overview to set the stage. He was born June 3, 1938 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to Samuel Linton (1806-1888) and Catherine Maria Hoover (1811-1888). His family moved to Washington DC about 1854, where he was subsequently employed by the United States Coast Survey. Concerned about possible bombardment during the Civil War, the family moved to Virginia. There he was effectively conscripted to serve as a draftsman drawing maps for the Confederacy.

As he describes below, in 1963 or early 1864, he had an opportunity to return north. He married Mary Salome Latch on November 26, 1864. He then found employment as a draftsman and engraver in Philadelphia. Samuel opened his own business and had a distinguished engraving career.

Perhaps his most significant engraving is the map of California and Nevada, published initially in 1869 by Warren Holt. A very impressive example is available to be viewed online in the Barry Lawrence Ruderman map collection at Stanford University library. A digital image of the 61.5 by 51 inch map is far too detailed to be shown here, but the high definition example online may be expanded to see the amazing detail.

Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection                                               

Please refer to his autobiography for additional details of this eventful life until his death August 28, 1927.

A SHORT HISTORY

of the

LIFE OF SAMUEL BENTON LINTON

written by himself in 1920, at the age of 82 years

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTORY - I want to say that I never believed in novel reading, thinking there is enough truth to be read. What I have passed through in reality is as real as any novel I ever read.

I was born near Pennlynn Station, Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 3rd, 1838. My father's name was Samuel Linton, and my mother's name was Maria Hoover Linton, daughter of Philip Hoover, who had been a member of the State Legislature. I want to say that I had one of the best fathers and mothers. Devoted christians, honest to the cent. I remember when a boy carrying my mother's market basket while living in Washington, if she owed a farmer a cent from the last market day she was sure to pay it the first time she saw him. They had ten children, viz: Lamanda, Philip, James, Mary, Samuel, Lizzie, William, Amanda, Jerome, Maria and Irwin. All in Heaven now except Irwin, Samuel, Amanda and Maria. My father was an elder in the Presbyterian church, also superintendent of Sunday School. We as children were early taught to go to church and Sunday school.

My first school days were spent going to what was called the eight square school house at the age of about six years. My father moved to a sixty acre farm about two and one-half miles north of Norristown, called "Penn Square", here I continued my school days until about ten years of age, then my father moved to a farm in Roxborough, 21st ward, Philadelphia, Pa. I further continued my school days and went to the same school with a young lady who will be seen later became my partner in life. At the age of about thirteen my father moved to Norristown and engaged in the shoe business on Main Street, near Mill Street. I still continued my studies at public school then later attended Rev. Mr. Koogens Academy, two miles west of Norristown. My father helped Honorable John Cadwalader to be elected to Congress, and in return he got my father an appointment to a clerkship in the Treasury Department, Washington, D.C., which caused my family to move to that city. I was about sixteen at this time and continued to attend school, but at odd times made shoes for the trade, having learned how by seeing workmen while in Norristown. On my father's return home one day from the office he called me to him and said he wanted me to make a specimen of drawing to show if I had any talent in that line as his friend, Cadwalader, could get me a position as draughtsman in the U. S. Coast Survey office. I proceeded to do as requested and made two specimens. Mr. Cadwalader presented them to Capt. Palmer, who was in charge of the U. S. Coast Survey and I was ordered to report for duty the next day. The result was I was there six years of my life, and learned to do everything there pertaining to the duties of draughtsman. My handy work can be seen to this day in the reports of that division in the U.S. Coast Survey from 1856 to 1861. This is the year Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States and the southern states were seceding from the union, and the cry of war was heard on all sides and everything was turmoil and excitement. I should like also to note that I was present at the Inauguration of President Lincoln, and shook hands with him at his first levee, It seems that the more the world learns of this man, the more he is appreciated for his firmness, farsightedness and good heartedness, and is now ranked second only to Washington. While in the Coast Survey service

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I took a trip north to visit old friends, relatives and schoolmates, and strange to say, one of the old schoolmates really grew into a mating match sure enough. The aunt of the one referred to accompanied me home to Washington, she was quite an important personage at this time. On my return home I wrote to one of three sisters - all were lovely girls. This aunt was anxious to know who the favored one was, and not until her return home did she find out, and then an interval of courtship by letter commenced. Later on a visit from two of the sisters to Washington led to an engagement ring being slipped on one of the girl's fingers. 

The war excitement grew worse day by day. The Coast Survey office was located only about two squares from the United States Capitol and frequent visits were paid there to listen to the exciting debates between the senators and representatives from the states. I should like also to note that I heard Andrew Johnson say in reply to a speech from his colleague, Senator Bell, of Tennessee, the senator's speech reminded him of a little geography he had learned, - just north of the mouth of the Potomac River is point Lookout, a little farther on is Point Lookin, and still a little farther on is Point Nopoint, that he said, is my opinion of the Senator speech, At another time I heard Senator Green charge Senator Douglas with using certain language. Senator Douglas arose and exclaimed very emphatically "where, when" Senator Green replied, "I said where because it was there, I said when because it was then. There's the document, read it”, throwing it on his desk.

The break finally came. For fear of the City of Washington being bombarded the Linton family was induced to flee to Evansport, Virginia, a small village on the Potomac, forty miles below Washington. (We moved in Mr. Evans' long boat to that place) That proved to be the worst thing that could possible have been done, as it was just where afterward proved to be an objective point of attack. Every village was soon destroyed by the northern guns, The result of this move separated the Linton family, some were in Maryland and Virginia, and the others returned to Washington, D.C. Among those left in Virginia was the subject of this sketch. My father and myself had resigned our positions in the U.S. Coast Survey service when we sailed with our household goods to Evansport. I was ordered to report to General Ruggles in Fredericksburg, Va., and was soon engaged to draw a large map of his district, and to take charge of the Ordinance Department there, which I did until ordered to accompany the army to the Peninsula. In the meantime my father and family returned to Washington, and I was left entirely alone in this new country. I witnessed the spot where General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. I was assigned to General Smith's staff under Capt. Collins. On our retreat up the Peninsula, I was ordered to Hanover Court House to prepare a map of the Chickahomony River. This was about a forty mile trip made by myself on horseback. I reported to headquarters with my maps, and was complimented for my nice work by the Generals. In few days after this event I witnessed the battle of Fair Oaks, and put a wounded soldier on my horse and took him to the hospital in Richmond. I visited my friend, McNairs, who lived in Richmond. I also saw General Stonewall Jaoksm after he was shot lying in state at Richmond, I should like to note that I was at the headquarters when President Jefferson Davis, General Johnson, General Smith, started to the Battle of Fair Oaks. My friend, Henry Evans, was quite sick and died soon of pneumonia. I paid to have a worn stone put on his grave - he being one of my dear friends. Very soon after these events, a drafting department was established, and I was 

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appointed as one of the principal draughtsman at the salary of $180 per month. I boarded at Capt. Corden's on Shimberaso Hill, Richmond, Va. My drawings were much appreciated and I continued in this occupation until Mr. Walter Pearson from the Maryland Artillery called to see me he was on sick leave, and said he had permission to go home to Washington to see his parents and family. This touched a very tender cord in me as my family resided there, and my sweetheart farther north. So I asked for a leave of absence to accompany him from Capt. Campbell, Chief of our Division, and it was granted to me. The next day we started on our journey of trial and difficulty. I met my old friend, Capt. Collins, on the picket line who greeted me very kindly. We secured a colored man to row us across the Potomac River, which cost me $75 Confederate money - I had about $500 of that money and $50 in gold. After spending the night on the Maryland shore and eating a hasty breakfast (our lunch was prepared for us by friends in Montross, Va.) we proceeded on our homeward journey. We were about to call on the first place to make to for a cup of coffee, and were seen by a little negro boy who said that a Yankee regiment was camping at this place. This showed to us the plight in which we were placed. I had a letter from my schoolmate in my pocket and feeling the Confederate money I carried might get me in a predicament, put them under a stump I presume they are there yet unless the squirrels have made nests of them. We were met on our journey by Mr. Cox near Fort Tobacco who inquired the news from the other side - I replied, "if you'll give us our breakfast we'll tell you", he replied that he would, and we were about to eat when we saw a company of cavalry coming down the lane and we were told to go to the woods, which we did, and were later met there and spent the night in this woods. We had a good talk with our friend who brought us our breakfast in the morning. After enjoying a good meal proceeded to call on Mrs. Capt. Dement, her husband was captain of my friend, Pearson's company. His wife received us very pleasantly and she was pleased to hear from her husband, His wife but stated she had been greatly persecuted on account of her husband being south. On our retreat up the Peninsula, Capt. Collins and I were making a reconnaissance near West Point and in riding near there were fired on and the ball whirled so near my head it seemed but a few inches away. A young man of Hood's Brigade was just then struck with a spent ball over the eye. We then proceeded on our walking journey until we reached the suburbs of Washington, where we stayed over night at a hotel, and for the first time since we started on our Journey, slept on a soft bed. The next day took our difficult journey to Washington, passing numerous pickets. We kept together until we had crossed the eastern branch bridge then we separated, Pearson going to his home and I ditto. I went in the back way, it was now about 10 o'clock A.M. I peeped through a knot hole in a board in the woodshed and espied my dear old mother. I came in upon her suddenly and threw my arms around her. The scene can better be imagined than described. I remained home a few days and then made my way north to see the young lady, my schoolmate. I called first to see my cousin, George A. Linton, in Philadelphia, and his wife and another young lady, a Miss Sadie McGlathery, went out to Roxborough and broke the news of my arrival. I soon had my precious by my side, and then was taken in a carriage to her home and was received kindly by all. While there the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, Vicksburg had fallen and Sherman was marching through Georgia. In reality the south was conquered and sweet peace would soon be proclaimed. I was taught not that slavery was right, but that the south should have been paid for their negroes. I was fully convinced slavery was a curse when I saw a woman sold in Richmond. I saw the evil as I never saw it before.

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In all the debates I heard in Congress, I never heard a member say let's pay these people $500 a piece for their slaves and avert this war. The pensions that have been paid our soldiers and are still being paid will amount to, I was going to say $1,000,000 for each slave, before the debt is paid. It is an awful thought to think what sin has brought into the world. If our first parents had only obeyed the ten Commandments and the laws of our Blessed Maker, none of those awful scenes would have occurred.

The next scene is - my father buys a farm in Charles County, Md. Our love scene changes for about one year. Correspondence ceases - hearts are separated all caused by this aunt spoken of who has played so far such a conspicuous part. A year has been spent on the farm of my father working hard. Later I went up to Washington with a load of potatoes to sell, raised on my father’s farm. After selling the same called to see my old friends in the U. S. Coast Survey, and was told by some one a letter was in the post-office at Washington for me, as seen published in the paper. I told my brother-in-law, Mr. William West, and he said there was one also published for him, so after supper we went over and got them. Sure enough there was one from that dear schoolmate of mine. After reading it, I said that means reconstruction. I had $30 and I said, "brother lend me $50 and I'll go and get Mary". He did so and the next day found me at my cousin's in Philadelphia with my two lady friends already spoken of, who went out to Roxborough and brought her to their home. The old coal was soon fanned into a flame, and the next day, Saturday, November 26th, 1864, Rev. Pointdexter S. Henson, D.D. joined in holy wedlock Miss Mary S. Latch and S. B. Linton.

We went to my wife's uncle's home in Germantown and find them just ready to go over to Roxborough. I was now introduced as "my husband" and this was the news taken to headquarters - Mary and Benton are married, This is another scene better to be imagined than described.

The mother soon arrived. The first salutation was - "Oh! you naughty children, why didn't you come home to be married. The groom soon spoke up, we can be married over again if you prefer. The cause was, there was too much aunt to contend with,

After taking our little wedding trip among my many relatives north we called to see my old friend Monk in Philadelphia. He knew of my skill as a map draughtsman, and gave me a letter of recommendation to a Mr. G.M. Hopkins. I called the next day to see him - he wanted to see a specimen of my work. I replied, "give me a pen and a piece of paper, and I'll show you a little of my talent." His reply was, "I have a drawing of "Brock Farm" to make (at this time there was great excitement over the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania). He said, "if you make this all O.K. I'll pay you for it, if not I won't". I replied, "all right I don't want it if not satisfactory. The result was he engaged me for $60 per month, and before the month was out agreed to give me $80 per month. I was with him some time and then started in business for myself - in the interval. I had learned how to lithograph and engrave on stone.

The first map I made was Pennsylvania for a Mr. Barnes. He wanted it revised, for which he gave me $1 per county, and then he wanted it put on stone. I produced a little specimen of Erie County I had made, and he said 

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he was not aware that I could lithograph. I replied. "I did not know it myself until I tried.” He said, that would do for his work so he gave me $2 per county. Later on I revised Mr. Monks map of the United States and made a specimen of engraving Ottawa County, Canada, and after revising his map got the engraving to do. So I went on step by step until I engraved a large and small map of California for a Mr. Holt of San Francisco, California.

We boarded at home for a time at Roxborough, and later purchased a little place #1310 Stiles Streat, Philadelphia, for $2500. Mr. Monk gave me $60 per month and the privilege of taking in what work I could get at his office #148 S. Fourth Street, Philadelphia. We then moved to #1210 Stiles Street. Our second child, a lovely daughter was born to us there. After residing there for some time we rented #1310 Stiles Street, and moved next door to father Latch's house. Father Latch had three sons.  Edward about this time married my slster, Amanda. He was teaching school in Roxborough, and desiring a change went to Chester County to farm with his brother, Abram. Father Latch getting along in years desired us to farm the home place. Aunt Salome in the meantime purchased a little place near Germantown, and lived with her mother. We then took charge of the lot of about twelve acres. Henry, the old trucker, going to New York to live. I had then a position in the Union Railway as draughtsman at $1,000 per year, and was farming the 12 acres. Father and Mother Latch took a trip to Lafayette, Indiana, to see their daughter, Anna Levering, leaving us with entire charge of the place. Their six children were all married but Alfred.

The next change occurred when Edward returned from Chester County to Roxborough. We sold #1310 Stiles Street and purchased Mr. Levering's lot of 2 1/2 acres at Manatawna. 

In the meantime the Guide Office was burned at Third & Dock Sts., and I had a situation with Mr. Gray at $26 per week, engraving maps for his "National Atlas". I feel quite elated to think my handy work is among the finest in this Standard Atlas of the United States.

We have now six children added to our family - my health broke down and the doctor recommends going to farming and leaving my business as the best remedy.

We purchased a 95 acre farm near Lionville, Chester Co., Pa. from a Mr. Ritter, with 3,000 peach trees on it. I should like to note at this time that one of the most pleasant times in my life was when we had summer Sunday school at Mt. Airy School house, while living on the farm. Then I had all my children at home and it was a great pleasure to have these seven rosy cheeked children in my two-horse Germantown carriage going to Windsor church in the morning, and to Mt. Airy Sunday school in the afternoon. We did this for ten years. At this writing I'm happy to state that in the summer I teach a class in Sunday school at the Great Valley Baptist church, and now sing tenor in the choir at the Berwyn Chapel.

Another interesting feature in my life is I engraved an Hoover family tree, and an Hoover family circle with a short history prepared by Honorable Hiram C. Hoover. He was elected the first President of the  

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organization and at his death I was elected President and later on two organizations grew out of it, vis: The National and State Societies. At this time I'm elected or appointed as President Emeritus of both societies.

I made $500 on the Stiles Stroet property but lost $1500 on the Manatawna property. Another child was born to us on the farm. My health was restored and the time had come to give my children a better education and found I could not do so on the farm. So we exchanged the farm for #4321 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Father Latch had passed away to the better world, and Mother Latch came to live with us at Walnut Street. While there brother, alfred, was married to a Mrs. Stager, formerly a Miss Goddard. Aunt Salome died at the Old Ladies' Home and requested to be buried from our Walnut Street residence.* Also Mother Latch passed away to the better land at this place. I still had an office at #410 Walnut Street, and having a large house we kept boarders. Daughter Anna was married while living on the farm to Abram Dinkel, and daughter Mary was married to Elmor E. Stiteler while living at Walnut Street.

In my exchange of the farm for the Walnut Street property I took a second mortgage on the farm to equalize the trade, so in order to save myself had to take the farm back. Later I exchanged it with S & R for five city properties. They not paying, exchanged two for a property at South Island Heights. We spent one summer there and the next summer moved there from Walnut Street, thinking we would remain the year, but instead exchanged Walnut street property for a Melmont property. Later we moved to Ridley Park, from there we moved to #6420 Woodland Avenue. We sold this to Henson, my son, and then purchased #513 Woodland Terrace. I might also note that while living at #513 Woodland Terrace I engraved nearly all of McConnell's School maps which are in many of the schools in the United States and other countries. So I feel elated to think ï learned all this after my marriage, and that my handiwork is thus educating the youth of our land At #6420 Woodland Avenue Kitty married John W. Cornelius; Henson married Bertha, his sister. While we lived at Ridley Park, my son, Will, married Miss Mamia Myers. While living at #518 Woodland Terrace daughter Nettie married Henry Albright, and Emily married Fred J. Cose. While living here at #513 Woodland Terrage my wife fell heir to a property at Devon, Pa., left to her by her uncle, Peter R. Latch. The property at #513 was sold and we moved to the Devon property at 14 acres.

At each and all of our homes we were active in church work. Being the means of starting several churches and also active in missionary work. I am pleased to note that our children are also active in church work. I helped to organize the Manatawna Baptist Church, and was a deacon, trustee, leader of the choir, and teacher in Sunday School. While living at #6420 Goodland Ave, we helped to form the Woodland Baptist Church. I was superintendent of the Sunday School, leader of the choir, President of the Board of Trustees, and deacon, there. Also while living at #513 Woodland Terrace was deacon at the Chestnut Street Baptist church and was also superintendent of a Mission Sunday School at 36th and Chestnut Sts.

While living at #513 I worked for the MoConnell School Supply Co..  

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and engraved a 16′′ globe, one 12′′ and one 18", which are used in many schools and offices in the United States. I also published a Columbus Historical Tree. Missionary map of the World, Palestine and a chart from Adam to Moses.

At this time in my life I an 82 and living on borrowed tins and am thinking of the meeting of loved ones on the other shore, and I expect to meet Aunt Salome among the bright and shining lights, as she was an active worker in the church, and I feel she will have many stars in her crown.

What a joy it will be to meet with all our loved ones gone before. This was the last sentence uttered by my dear daughter, Lettle, "I've only gone a little while before you".

Insert for Page 6

* I also want to note the very fact of Aunt Salome requesting to be buried from my house on Walnut Street showed her willingness to forget the past, which I can assure you was fully granted.

 Samuel Benton LINTON (1838-1927)

Brief Heritage

James "Jim" Robert Broomall © 2023

Linton Research Fund Inc., Publication © 2023

BIRD Chronicles Volume XVIII, Issue 3, Fall © 2023, ISSN 1941-3521

Parents

Samuel Linton (1806-1888) & Catherine Maria Hoover (1811-1888).

Grandparents

James Linton (1788-1850) & Martha Andrews (1786-1847).

Philip Hoover (1782-1865) & Mary Conrad (1785-1868)

Great-grandparents

Samuel Linton (1748-1807) & lizabeth Brees (1744-1821).

Henry Hoover (1751-1865) & Anna Margaret Kern (1752-1813)

Johann Friedrich Conrad (1759-1827) & Catharina Schneider (1759-1811)

Children of Samuel Benton Linton (1838-1927) & Mary Salome Latch (1842-1940)

Mary Hamill Linton (1866-1866)

Anna Levering Linton (1867-1947) m. Abram L. Dinkel (1863-1931)

Mary Conrad Linton (1869-1927) m. Elmer Ellsworth Stiteler (1867–1949)

George Henson Linton (1870-1943) m. Anna Bertha Cornelius (1880-1971)

William Benton Linton (1872-1951) m. Mary Zernow Myers (1872-1955)

Jeannette Rose Linton (1874-1908) m. Henry Albright (1883-)

Catharine Maria Linton (1876-1966) m. John William Cornelius (1874-1959)

Emily Eckfeldt Linton (1882-1964) m. Frederick James Coe (1882-1968)

Children of Emily Eckfeldt Linton (1882-1964) & Frederick James Coe (1882-1968)

Emily Elizabeth Coe (1907-1996) m. Pennock Shsrpless Hipple (1906-1983)

Catharine Marguerite Coe (1909-1973) m. William Leslie Broomall (1907-1978)

Anna Lois Coe (1910-1968) m Kenneth Vincent Snyder (1907-1992)

Ada Grace Coe (1912-1999) m. Charles Gilmour Broomall (1909-1999)

Frederick James Coe (1914-2014) m. Ruth Marjori Wooley (1916-2011)

Marjorie Blanch Coe (1921-1924)

William Samuel Coe 1923-1979) m. Esther Elizabeth Janney (1923-1989)

Alfre Raymond Coe (1925-2017) m. Norma Edna Ruby (1928-2012)

Children of Catharine Marguerite Coe (1909-1973) & William Leslie Broomall (1907-1978)

William Leslie Broomall (1932-2019) m. Janice Martin Boothe (1931-2018)

Barbara Ann Broomall (1934-2015) m. Rhys Hoyt Craver (1929-2018)

James Robert Broomall (1946- ) m. Robin Lee Wiggins (1946- )

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