The Bergey Homestead

September 12, 2018

The Bergey Homestead still stands on land purchased in 1726 by Hans (John) Ulrich Bergey. The property is located on the banks of the northeast branch of Perkiomen Creek, in Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Hans “john” ulrich bergey: first bergey immigrant

Hans Ulrich Bergey was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland in April of 1700. He immigrated to Pennsylvania with a large Mennonite group around 1717 and married Mary (possibly Clemens.) After immigrating to America Hans changed to the anglicized version of his name, John. On March 15, 1726 he purchased 250 acres outside of Philadelphia and built the stone house that still stands in the above photo (the covered deck and addition are a recent addition.)

The Bergey Homestead is surrounded by open meadows and rolling hills, which were all originally part of John Bergey’s 250 acres.

John was naturalized in April of 1743 through affirmation rather than taking an oath, which was not permitted due to his Mennonite beliefs. John and Mary had 11 children. When John died in 1762, the property was left to his eldest son, Michael, with considerations made in his will for Mary, his wife:

”I give and devise my immortall soul in to the Hands of the Almighty God through the mercy of his son Jesus Christ and my body unto the earth to be decently buryed … I give and devise unto my loving wife Mary the sum of one hundred lawful money of Pennsylvania to be paid to her directly after my decease, besides a compleat new feather bed, pillows with double cases to the beds and pillows and bedstead and all the furniture belonging to it, all her clothes and one equal share with my eleven children of all sorts of linnens, sheets, towels and table cloths and one cow to be kept for her at free fodder and pasture (on the place where I now dwell) by my hereafter mentioned son Michael or his assigns during such time as she pleaseth in case she remaineth my widow, besides free lodging and wood on the said place … besides free lodging and wood on the said place during the aforementioned conditions …. one iron pott, frying pan, besides two pewter dishes … I give unto her the further sum of one hundred pounds which will be left on my place and the interest, at a rate of five percent annually, paid to her as long as she remaineth my widow during her natural life.” (Excerpts from the will of John Ulrich Bergey)


Sources

Find sources and more details about the Bergey family by clicking on the Ancestry lineage below:

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6 Comments
    1. I’ve been doing my ancestry and have learned that he is my 8th Great Grandfather. This is pretty cool! Thank you!

      1. Hi Dolores, Thanks for visiting the site and saying hello. We were excited to drive around the original Bergey homestead. Glad you enjoyed the photos!

    1. Michelle, thanks for all of your contribution to the Berkey ( various spellings) story. Hans was my fifth great-grandfather, and I’m learning so much about ancestors ! 🙏 🇺🇸 , Mike Berkey (at family search and wikitree)

      1. Hi Mike,
        Thanks for saying hello. Please, let me know of any discoveries you come across!

    1. I man going to be in that neighborhood on vacation the last week of June. I am a descendent of John Ulrich Burgey. Is the house privately owned? Is it possible to visit it?

    1. Michelle, where exactly is this? Is it possible to visit? I am a Bergey descendent. I live in Virginia but I will be in Pennsylvania the last week of June.

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