The Erwinna Stovers - Henry and Barbara Stover

Henry Stover (1786-1872)

Henry Stover was the first-born son of Jacob and Catherine Stover. Born in 1786 he attended Doylestown Union Academy with his brothers and went to work for his father at his Point Pleasant Mill. 

Barbara Stover (1789-1858)

Barbara was born in 1789, the daughter of Isaac Stout, of Williams, Northampton County. Pa. She was a Moravian and received a fine education being able to read and speak both English and German fluently. She was known for her knowledge of home remedies and her refined palate for cooking. 

Married Life

Henry married Barbara in 1810 and moved into the house across from the mill. The couple attended the Pt. Pleasant Baptist Church.  Together Henry and Barbara had 5 daughters and 4 sons: Salome, Anna, Eliza, Jacob, Isaac, Henry, Jr., Catherine, Emeline, and Jordan. 

Miller by Trade

Henry bought both the house and mill in 1816 from his father. Henry then began to purchase other mill sites in the Delaware River Valley including the Thomas Kennedy property near Erwinna in 1832. 

In 1833 he built a large flour mill on this site and a two story home nearby for his family. Henry later replaced the millwheel with a turbine for this mill, one of the first millers to make the change in the country. Four years later he added a large sawmill to the site. 

Bridging the Delaware

As a prominent businessman it is no surprise the Henry was one of the first commissioners of the Alexandria Delaware Bridge Company which raised funds to build the first covered bridge across the Delaware just north of Erwinna and petitioned the state on May 8th, 1841 for permission to construct the bridge. The bridge was completed in 1844 connecting Tinicum Township to the growing community in Frenchtown on the Jersey side of the river, at a fee of 2 cents per foot passenger up to 75 cents per four horse drawn vehicles.

Portrait of Henry Stover

Portrait of Henry Stover

Portrait of Barbara Stout Stover

Portrait of Barbara Stout Stover

The 1841 Act to create the Erwinna Frenchtown Bridge part 1

The 1841 Act to create the Erwinna-Frenchtown Bridge, part 1

The 1841 Act to create the Erwinna Frenchtown Bridge part 2

The 1841 Act to create the Erwinna-Frenchtown Bridge, part 2

Detail of the 1850 farms map which shows the Bridge over the Delaware River

Detail of the 1850 Farms Map which shows the Bridge over the Delaware River

Purchase of the Erwin Property

In 1846, Henry Stover purchased the Erwin property at public auction. A miller by trade, Henry intended to continue using the property as a tenant farm. Henry added the northern section of the house in the 1850s, updating the front façade and interiors with Victorian details. He added a porch and built a new barn and carriage house. 

1846 deed from the William Erwin Estate to Henry Stover

Deed conveying property transfer from Erwin to Stover in 1845

Oil Painting of the Stover Mill by A. Emory, 19th century

A painting of Stover Mill by A. Emory in the 19th Century