Original Bentzel Plantation
(near Shiloh, York Co, Pennsylvania) - The fact that this is an
original plantation structure has yet to be proven, although
circumstantial evidence does suggest it is in fact at the correct
location
The original Bentzel Plantation, as it was called, was
settled sometime between 1750 and 1770. The land owned by
Johannes Bentzel was in the area just to the northwest of
current-day Shiloh in West Manchester Township. Charles Allen
Bentzel (1893-1986) did some research in the Fall of 1972, and
at the time the plantation had at least two structures: a
homesite and a log building that was likely the springhouse.
The homesite is believed to have been built for David Bentzel,
perhaps by his father, circa 1816. The log building was likely
standing sometime between 1749 and 1769, at the time Johannes
Bentzel lived here. These photos MAY be
of the original homestead, but additional research is needed. Sometime around 2004 a development company
scrapped everything except the homesite, and then added to the
homesite by making a beautiful home.
Charles measured the dimensions of the old structures and
documented his research in a not-to-scale drawing. In 2005 Chad Nichols
reproduced his drawings electronically to scale and they're
available below (right). These drawings clearly do not match up
with the home that is visible today, so additional research is needed to
clarify which original portions of the home remain. |
View facing southeast
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
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View facing southeast
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
(28 Dec2005 - Chad Nichols) |
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Bentzel Mill
(near Shiloh, York Co, Pennsylvania)
| Bentzel Mill was built in 1831 by David
Bentzel, Sr. (1777-1854) and Elizabeth Meisenhelder (1773-1819).
The marker at the head of the house clearly reads: "BUILT BY
DAVID & ELIZABETH BENSEL IN THE YEAR 1831" (see image to the
right). The original homesite of David and Elizabeth is not
known, but there are at least two structures that could have
been in existence at the time. The
mill's current state is in a serious state of disrepair. Sadly
the mill was utilized as a giant chicken coop and the remains of
that affair are evident on the 3rd and 4th floors. Due to this
state, stairs bend as you walk on them, portions of the floor on
the main floor bow down as much as a foot, and there are visible
holes in both the walls and floors! The current owner of the
mill indicates he is likely going to renovate the structure, to
make it a museum of sorts. We're anxious to see this change, as
it would likely permit this old structure survive several more
generations! |
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
View from Bentzel Mill Bridge
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Main Floor
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Main Floor
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
3rd Floor
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Relics on the 3rd Floor
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Looking up into the Attic Area
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Chute on the ceiling of the 2nd Floor
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Bentzel Mill Bridge pre-1972
(Scan of postcard in possession of Chad Nichols) |
Bentzel Mill Bridge
(near Shiloh, York Co, Pennsylvania)
The Bentzel Mill Bridge was built circa 1820 and
crossed the Little Conewago Creek right on the Bentzel Mill
property. Tropical Storm Agnes caused floods in the area in
1972, which resulted in the bridge being washed away. At that
time the roadway was diverted to a location about 50 yards
further north and a new bridge built. The only remains of the
original bridge are the stone ramps leading up to the edge of
the creek. |
Bentzel Mill Bridge Ramp, facing west
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
Little Conewago Creek, facing south
(28 Mar 2006 - Chad Nichols) |
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David Bentzel Jr.
Family Bible Found!
(York Co, Pennsylvania)
We acquired the family Bible of David Bentzel Jr and Sarah
EISENHART in the Spring of 2006. The Bible provides some
definitive details for the birth and marriage dates of David and
Sarah, in addition to the birthdates of four of their children:
Henrich, Edward, Lea, and Nancy |
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